Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday felicitated 32 recipients of the Kashmir Women's Organisation (KWO) fellowship at a ceremony in Jammu. The event highlighted the administration's commitment to women-led development in the Union Territory.
Fellowship Aims at Empowering Women
The KWO fellowship, instituted in 2023, provides financial support and mentorship to women from diverse backgrounds, including entrepreneurs, social workers, and educators. Each recipient receives a grant of ₹50,000 to further their initiatives in areas such as skill development, healthcare, and education.
Speaking at the event, Sinha said, "These 32 women are torchbearers of Nari Shakti. Their efforts will transform Jammu and Kashmir into a progressive Union Territory. We are committed to creating an ecosystem where women can lead and excel."
Vision for a Progressive UT
The Lt Governor outlined his vision for a Union Territory driven by women's leadership, emphasizing the need for greater participation of women in governance and economic activities. He noted that the administration has launched several schemes, including the Tejaswini Scheme for girls' education and the Umeed Programme for women's self-help groups.
According to official data, over 1.2 lakh women have benefited from these initiatives in the past year alone. The government aims to increase women's workforce participation from the current 22% to 35% by 2030.
Recipients from Diverse Fields
The 32 fellowship recipients include women from all 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir. Among them are Ayesha Mir, a social worker from Pulwama who runs a shelter for domestic violence survivors; Ritu Sharma, a tech entrepreneur from Jammu developing a mobile app for rural women; and Fatima Bhat, a teacher from Baramulla who has set up 10 adult literacy centers.
"This fellowship is not just financial aid; it is a validation of our efforts," said Mir. "It will help me expand my shelter and provide more women with a safe space."
Focus on Substance Abuse Awareness
A key theme of this year's fellowship is substance abuse awareness, with several recipients working on prevention and rehabilitation programs. The KWO has partnered with the Jammu and Kashmir Police to conduct workshops in drug-affected areas.
"Substance abuse is a major challenge in our region, and women are often the most affected as caregivers," said KWO chairperson Dr. Shama Wani. "These fellows will work at the grassroots to spread awareness and provide support."
Government Support and Future Plans
The Jammu and Kashmir administration has allocated ₹5 crore for the KWO fellowship this year, up from ₹3 crore in 2025. Sinha announced that the number of fellowships would be increased to 100 by 2027.
The event was attended by senior officials, including Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo and Director of Social Welfare Department Shabnam Bilali. The recipients also participated in a panel discussion on women's leadership, moderated by noted activist Razia Sultan.
