Shopian, August 31, 2025 – In a proactive step towards women’s empowerment and grassroots development, the Sankalp Hub for Empowerment of Women under Mission Shakti Shopian successfully organised an awareness programme at Zampathri Kellar in the district. The event focused on educating local women about various government welfare schemes and initiatives, aiming to bridge the information gap and facilitate access to essential entitlements.Mission Shakti, a flagship scheme of the Government of India under the Ministry of Women and Child Development, operates as an integrated programme for the safety, security, and empowerment of women. Implemented during the 15th Finance Commission period (2021-22 to 2025-26), it encompasses two sub-schemes: Sambal for women’s safety and security, and Samarthya for empowerment. The Sankalp Hub for Empowerment of Women (SHEW), a key component of the Samarthya sub-scheme, serves as a one-stop convergent support platform. It acts as a Project Monitoring Unit (PMU) to disseminate information on schemes, conduct capacity-building activities, and ensure last-mile delivery of services in convergence with other government programmes like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP).
The programme at Zampathri Kellar, a remote area in Shopian district, highlighted the role of such initiatives in reaching marginalized communities. Participants, primarily local women, were informed about central and Union Territory-sponsored welfare schemes designed to enhance socio-economic status, including pension schemes, skill development programmes, employment opportunities, health and nutrition services, and digital literacy. Special emphasis was placed on emergency helplines such as the Women Helpline (181) and Child Helpline (1098) for immediate support in cases of distress, violence, or other challenges.This event aligns with the broader objectives of Mission Shakti to create an ecosystem for women’s holistic development by addressing life-cycle continuum issues—from education and health to economic independence. By organizing awareness campaigns at the village level, the Sankalp Hub empowers women as rightful entitlement holders, fostering demand for government services and promoting inter-sectoral convergence with departments like health, education, and social welfare.Similar programmes have been conducted by SHEW Mission Shakti Shopian in recent months, such as awareness camps at Chotipora in August 2025 and earlier events at Dunaroo Kellar and Anganwadi Centre Kellar in May 2025. These initiatives underscore the district’s commitment to women’s empowerment, with active participation from local authorities and community members.
The programme also included interactive sessions where women shared their concerns, ensuring their grievances are forwarded to relevant departments for resolution.The event received support from District Shopian administration and was part of ongoing efforts to promote women-led development in Jammu and Kashmir. As the scheme continues through 2025-26, such programmes are expected to intensify, contributing to improved sex ratio at birth, higher enrollment of girls in education, and greater economic self-reliance among women.
