Kargil: While Ladakh region has made significant progress in terms of development and empowerment, women in Ladakh still face many challenges. However, in recent years, there has been a growing movement towards women’s empowerment in the union territory.
One of the key factors contributing to the empowerment of women in Ladakh is education, and awareness programs being held from time to time. The literacy rate in Ladakh has improved significantly over the years, with more and more girls attending school.
The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDCs) have launched several initiatives to improve access to education for girls, including providing scholarships, building schools, and recruiting female teachers. This has helped to break down traditional gender roles and empower women to pursue education and careers.
Talking about the issue, a student and member of Ladakh Student Association Jammu (LSAJ) said the important factor in women’s empowerment in Ladakh is the growing awareness of women’s rights. “Women’s groups and NGOs are working to raise awareness about issues such as domestic violence, sexual harassment, and discrimination,” she said and added that they are also advocating for legal and policy changes to protect women’s rights and ensure their equal participation in society.
Furthermore, several home stays and start ups have also added to this fabric since they have made economic empowerment crucial for women here, she said and added that the region’s economy is largely dependent on agriculture and tourism, and women play a significant role in both sectors.
The Hill Councils have implemented several programs to support women’s entrepreneurship, including providing training, loans, and marketing assistance. This has helped to empower women to start and grow their businesses, increase their income, and improve their standard of living.
Apart from being vulnerable to harassment and violence, the women folk often face challenges such as lack of access to credit, land, markets and decision making, said another local resident from Drass.
Despite these positive developments, women in Ladakh still face many challenges. Gender-based violence, including domestic violence and sexual harassment, remains a significant issue. Women also face cultural and social barriers that limit their participation in public life and decision-making.
Women representatives suggest that to overcome these challenges, it is important to continue to invest in women’s education, awareness-raising, economic empowerment, and political participation. “By doing so, we can create a more inclusive and equitable society in Ladakh, where women have the same opportunities and rights as men,” they asserted and added that women empowerment in Ladakh still needs a push for greater good.
There should have been a growing movement towards political empowerment for women in Ladakh, since in 2018, the LAHDC passed a resolution to reserve one-third of all seats in local government bodies for women. The aim of this resolution was to provide women with a platform to participate in decision-making and governance, and help them to increase their visibility and representation in public life.
To address the issue on an urgent basis, from time to time women representatives and related delegations have been raising this issue with concerned CECs and Lt. Governor.
