Sonia Gandhi on UPA's policies for empowering women

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi had recently launched the 'Ahimsa Messenger' Programme -- an initiative by the Centre to address the violence against women."This Ahimsa Messenger programme is aimed at generating awareness about basic legal rights of the women, their economic and social development and on their respect and safety" said Sonia Gandhi. The Congress President also said that just making laws would not prevent crimes.

Sonia Gandhi launches Ahimsa Messenger programme aims at curbing violence against women

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi had recently launched the 'Ahimsa Messenger' Programme -- an initiative by the Centre to address the violence against women."This Ahimsa Messenger programme is aimed at generating awareness about basic legal rights of the women, their economic and social development and on their respect and safety" said Sonia Gandhi. The Congress President also said that just making laws would not prevent crimes.

Progressive leader Sonia Gandhi - stresses on women empowerment

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi had recently launched the 'Ahimsa Messenger' Programme -- an initiative by the Centre to address the violence against women."This Ahimsa Messenger programme is aimed at generating awareness about basic legal rights of the women, their economic and social development and on their respect and safety" said Sonia Gandhi. The Congress President also said that just making laws would not prevent crimes.

Sonia Gandhi's focus -- socio-economic development and empowerment of women

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi launched the 'Ahimsa Messenger' Programme -- an initiative by the Centre to address the violence against women. Sonia Gandhi's main focus has always been the socio-economic development and empowerment of women.

Sonia Gandhi follows the footsteps of Rajiv Gandhi

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi had recently launched the 'Ahimsa Messenger' Programme -- an initiative by the Centre to address the violence against women. We follow the visionary ideologies and ideas of late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, said Sonia Gandhi.

Sonia Gandhi always focuses protection & empowerment of women

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi said recently during the launch of Ahimsa Messenger programme in New Delhi, "In a family the right that a male child has should be given to a girl child too. Like every boy, each girl child also has the right to get proper education, training, job and also to secure a respectable position in the society". While expressing her concern over the growing crimes against women, Sonia Gandhi commented "When women are reaching new milestones with their commendable performance at different walks of life, there are also shameful incidents of child marriage, female foeticide, dowry-related atrocities, domestic and sexual violence".

Sonia Gandhi always stressed for the need to put an end to violence against women

Sonia Gandhi, the Congress President and UPA Chairperson believed that just making laws would not prevent crimes. "We know that making laws and policies is not enough; but we also have to implement them at the grass-root levels. The most fundamental issue is that the mindset and old thoughts of our society have to be changed. In this modern society, we must be ready to ensure equal rights for women; it is our responsibility and a challenge. What we want now is a social revolution to demolish all the walls of discrimination amongst women," said Sonia Gandhi.

Sonia Gandhi wants all acts of violence against women must end

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi launched the 'Ahimsa Messenger' Programme -- an initiative by the Centre to address the violence against women. "This Ahimsa Messenger programme is aimed at generating awareness about basic legal rights of the women, their economic and social development and on their respect and safety" said Sonia Gandhi.

Sonia Gandhi: Let us fight together to put an end to the atrocities and violence against women

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi launched the 'Ahimsa Messenger' Programme -- an initiative by the Centre to address the violence against women - on Saturday. "Let us take a pledge today that we will, together, work hand-in-hand, to put an end to the atrocities and violence against women. Let us all work together to ensure empowerment, development and respect to all our sisters" Sonia Gandhi urged the huge gathering of girls and Anganwadi Workers present in the function.

Sonia Gandhi: Right that a male child has should be given to a girl child too

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi launched the 'Ahimsa Messenger' Programme -- an initiative by the Centre to address the violence against women. "In a family the right that a male child has should be given to a girl child too. Like every boy, each girl child also has the right to get proper education, training, job and also to secure a respectable position in the society" said the UPA Chairperson.

Sonia Gandhi: Making laws is not enough. We must implement them at the grass root

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi launched the 'Ahimsa Messenger' Programme -- an initiative by the Centre to address the violence against women. "We know that making laws and policies is not enough; but we also have to implement them at the grass-root levels. The most fundamental issue is that the mindset and old thoughts of our society have to be changed. In this modern society, we must be ready to ensure equal rights for women; it is our responsibility and a challenge. What we want now is a social revolution to demolish all the walls of discrimination amongst women," said Sonia Gandhi.

Sonia Gandhi at Ahimsa Messenger underlines UPA's commitment to empower women

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi launched the 'Ahimsa Messenger' Programme -- an initiative by the Centre to address the violence against women - on Saturday. While addressing the gathering she also explained various women welfare policies and schemes implemented by the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre. Sonia Gandhi underlined that UPA Government is committed to empower the women.

Sonia Gandhi at Ahimsa Messenger launch explains UPA policies for welfare of women

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi launched the 'Ahimsa Messenger' Programme -- an initiative by the Centre to address the violence against women - on Saturday. While addressing the gathering she also explained various women welfare policies and schemes implemented by the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre.

Sonia Gandhi at Ahimsa Messenger launch expresses concerns over atrocities against women

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi launched the 'Ahimsa Messenger' Programme -- an initiative by the Centre to address the violence against women - on Saturday. She expressed her concern over growing crimes and violence against women. "At one side women is performing well in many walks of life but at the same time the women in our country have been facing several atrocities against them. This should end" said Sonia Gandhi.

Sonia Gandhi recalls Rajiv Gandhi at the launch of Ahimsa Messenger in New Delhi

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi launched the 'Ahimsa Messenger' Programme -- an initiative by the Centre to address the violence against women - on Saturday. She also recalled the contribution of Late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and said that Rajiv Ji always believed that empowering women is necessary for development.

Sonia Gandhi: Ahimsa Messenger is a step forward to end all acts of violence against women

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi launched the 'Ahimsa Messenger' Programme -- an initiative by the Centre to address the violence against women - on Saturday. "This Ahimsa Messenger programme is aimed at generating awareness about basic legal rights of the women, their economic and social development and on their respect and safety" said Sonia Gandhi. The Congress President also said that just making laws would not prevent crimes. "We know that making laws and policies is not enough; but we also have to implement them at the grass-root levels. The most fundamental issue is that the mindset and old thoughts of our society have to be changed. In this modern society, we must be ready to ensure equal rights for women; it is our responsibility and a challenge. What we want now is a social revolution to demolish all the walls of discrimination amongst women," said Sonia Gandhi.

सोनिया गांधी ने की अहिंसा मैसेंजर की शुरूआत

कृष्णा तीरथ जी, किशोर चंद्रदेव जी, जेपी अग्रवाल जी, किरण वालिया जी, अंबिका चौधरी जी यहां सभी मौजूद कांग्रेस गण, उपस्थित अधिकारी गण, बहनों, भाइयों अहिंसा मैसेंजर कार्यक्रम का आज शुरूआत है। मुझे बेहद खुशी है कि इस अवसर पर मैं आप सब के बीच हूं। इस समारोह में भाग लेने आएं महिलाओं और युवा पीढ़ी के उत्साह से सारा वातावरण एक नए लगन और उर्जा से भर गया है। ये गर्मजोशी स्वभाविक है क्योंकि अहिंसा मैसेंजर का सीधा संबंध महिलाओं की सुरक्षा और सशक्तिकरण से है। महिलाओं के कानूनी अधिकारों, उनके आर्थिक सामाजिक विकास, उनकी सुरक्षा और सम्मान के बारे में अहिंसा मैसेंजर जन-जन तक जागरूकता और जानकारी पहुंचाएगी। इस जिम्मेदारी को निभाने के लिए इन्हे ट्रेनिंग देकर सक्षम बनाया जाएगा और इसकी विशेषता एक और है, यह कि किशोर बालकों को भी इसमे शामिल किया गया है। राजीव जी की गहरी और दूरदर्शी सोच थी कि महिलाएं समाज की अंतरआत्मा होती हैं। परिवार और समाज को एक सूत्र में बांधकर रखती है। वह सभी महिलाओं को राजनीतिक ताकत देना चाहते थे और इसी लिये पंचायत राज संस्थाओं में एक तिहाई आरक्षण के लिये राजीव जी ने खुद संघर्ष किया है। उनके दिखाए रास्ते पर आगे बढ़ते हुए हमारी यूपीए सरकार ने महिलाओं के लिये पंचायतों में आरक्षण को एक तिहाई से बढ़ाकर 50 प्रतिशत किया है। आज हमारी पंचायत राज संस्थाओं में लाखों-लाखों महिलाएं अपनी आवाज बुलंद करती है। साथ ही बड़ी संख्या में महिलाएं शिक्षा, कला, उद्योग, बैंकिंग, विज्ञान, प्रशासन और राजनीति में महत्वपूर्ण योगदान कर रहीं है। लेकिन जहां एक तरफ महिलाएं सभी क्षेत्र में कामयाबी की उचाईयां छू रही है, वहीं दूसरी तरफ बाल विवाह, कन्या भ्रूण हत्या, दहेज संबंधित अत्याचार, घरेलू हिंसा और यौन उत्पीड़न जैसी शर्मनाक घटना और कुरूतियों की शिकार हो रही हैं। मुझे गर्व है कि हमारी यूपीए सरकार ने महिलाओं की अस्तित्व की रक्षा और उन्हे सशक्त बनाने के लिये प्रभावशाली कानून और नीतियां बनाये है। तमाम योजनाओं, तमाम कार्यक्रमों के लिए बेजोड़ संसाधन उपलब्ध कराया है। मिशाल के तौर पर महिलाओं के साथ होने वाली यौन अपराधों के खिलाफ आपराधिक कानून संसोधन अधिनियम लागू किया जिसमे कड़ी सजा का प्रावधान है। कार्यस्थलों पर महिलाओं के यौन उत्पीड़न की रोकथाम, पुस्तैनी जमीन में लड़कियों को लड़कों के बराबर अधिकार संबंधी कानून बनाया है। संसद और विधानसभाओं में महिला आरक्षण के लिए विधेयक भी संसद में पेश किया है। आंगनबाड़ी के बहनों का मानदेय दो गुना बढ़ाया है। हाल ही में लोकसभा में पास किया राष्ट्रीय खाद्य सुरक्षा योजना में भी महिलाओं को विशेष महत्व दिया गया है। जहां पीडीएस में बहुत ही सस्ते दर पर अनाज के अधिकार की कानूनी गारंटी दी गयी है। वही सस्ते अनाज के साथ-साथ गर्भवती महिलाएं 6000 रू की आर्थिक सहायता की भी हकदार होंगी। सस्ते राशन की दुकानों का अलार्टमेंट महिला स्वयं सहायता समूह को दिया जाएगा। राष्ट्रीय ग्रामीण आजीविका मिशन के माध्यम से महिलाओं को स्वयं सहायता समूह में संगठित करने और उनके समूह को कम व्याज पर कर्ज की सुविधा के जरिये उन्हे आत्मनिर्भर बना रहे है। इनकी आमदनी बढ़ाने का बड़े पैमाने पर प्रयास किया जा रहा है। सबला योजना के अंतर्गत किशोर उम्र की बालिकाओं को शिक्षा, बेहतर पोशन, स्वास्थ्य और स्कील डबलपमेंट के जरिये और सशक्त बनाया जा रहा है। इससे लाभ उठाने वाली लड़कियों को ट्रेनिंग देकर उन्हे अहिंसा मैसेंजर की जिम्मेदारी दी जाएगी और आंगनबाड़ी कार्यकर्ता भी कोच की महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका निभाएंगी। बहनों और भाइयों हमे इस बात का एहसास है कि केवल कानून बनाने से या नीतियों की घोषणा करने से महिलाओं का सशक्तिकरण नहीं होगा। इसके साथ कानूनों और नीतियों को ठीक तरिके से जमीनी स्तर पर लागू करना भी जरूरी है। लेकिन सबसे बुनियादी बात यह है कि हमारे समाज के नजरिये में बदलाव लाने की जरूरत है। पुराने ख्याल को दूर करके महिलाओं को पुरूषों के समान दर्जा देना एक बहुत बड़ी चुनौति है। महिलाओं के खिलाफ व्यवहार और गैर बराबरी के दिवार को गिराना होगा और इसके लिये एक सामाजिक क्रांति की जरूरत है। मैं कहना चाहूंगी कि हम सब बहनों की जिम्मेदारी बनती है कि इस बदलाव के क्रांतिकारी कदम की शुरूआत हम सभी अपने-अपने घरों और परिवारों से ही शुरू करे। हम सब जानते है कि माता-पिता की शिक्षा से ही बच्चे प्रभावित होते है। घर के चार दिवारों में ही उनके समाजिक विचार की ढ़ांचा तैयार होता है। परिवार में जो अधिकार भाई को है वही बहन को भी होना चाहिए, बहन अपने भाई से कोई कम नहीं है। लड़को की तरह उन्हे भी शिक्षा, विकास और रोजगार जैसे दूसरे अवसर पाने का भी अधिकार है। लड़को की तरह उनके अंदर भी हिम्मत, हौसला और आत्मविश्वास पैदा करने की जरूरत है। तो मै उम्मीद करती हूं कि इस बदलाव को लाने में अहिंसा मैसेंजर की यह मुहिम एक बहुत ही प्रभावी कदम साबित होगी। अंत में मैं श्रीमति कृष्णा तीरथ और उनके मंत्रालय के सभी अधिकारियों को बधाई और धन्यवाद देती हूं, कि उन्होने अहिंसा मैसेंजर कार्यक्रम की शुरूआत इतने विशाल समारोह के साथ किया और दूरदराज से आएं सबला योजना से जूड़ी हमारी युवतियां और आंगनबाड़ी की कार्यकर्ताओं की भी मैं आभारी हूं जिन्होने इतनी भारी संख्या में इस कार्यक्रम में भाग लिया और इसे सफल बनाया। इस अवसर पर हम सब संकल्प करे कि महिलाओं के विरूध हिंसा की सोच और हिंसा की घटनाओं को हम सब मिलकर बिलकुल खत्म करेंगे व सभी कदम हम उठाएंगे जिससे महिलाएं डर से मुक्त हो, सशक्त हो, उनकी गरिमा बढ़े और उनका सम्मान हो। अंत में मैं इस सभा में आने के लिये आप सभी को धन्यवाद देती हूं और दिल से आप सभी को बहुत-बहुत धन्यवाद, जय हिंद।

Sonia Gandhi launched the ‘Ahimsa Messenger’

I am very happy to be present here at the launch of ‘Ahimsa Messenger’ programme. The wonderful gathering a huge number of women and young girls has ignited the environment with a fresh energy and renewed hope.. This enthusiasm is genuine as this programme – Ahimsa Messenger – is directly dealing with empowerment of the women and their safety.  This Ahimsa Messenger programme is aimed at generating awareness about basic legal rights of the women, their economic and social development and on their respect and safety.  To achieve this, the programme envisages generating awareness amongst the community and giving training to the various cadres of grass root level workers.  Further there will be programmes to generate awareness amongst the adolescent girls and boys about their civic responsibilities and duties.

Rajiv Gandhi had a farsighted vision and he considered that the women are the main soul of the society.  Political empowerment of the women was always the main focus for Rajiv Gandhi and he put in all his sincere efforts to implement 33% reservation for women in Panchayats.  Following his footsteps, the UPA Government at the centre increased the percentage of women in panchayats from 33% to 50%. Today, lakhs of women across the country have actively been taking part in Panchayati Raj administration. Women in good numbers have now been contributing at various levels like education, art, industry, banking, science, administration and politics. When women are reaching new milestones with their commendable performance at different walks of life,  there are also shameful incidents of child marriage, female foeticide, dowry-related atrocities, domestic and sexual violence. 

I am happy to underline that the UPA Government at the Centre implemented various schemes, policies and laws to ensure the safety of women and for their empowerment. We brought in the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act , 2013 to ensure stringent punishment for those who indulge in sexual crimes against women. UPA also has passed the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 to protect women’s right to equality, life and liberty. We also brought in a law to ensure women equal share in property.  Further, the bill to ensure women reservation in Parliament and Assemblies has already been introduced.  The wages of Anganwadi workers have been doubled. Enough provisions are there to protect the interests of the women in the Food Security Bill, recently passed in the Lok Sabha. While ensuring legal entitlement for the subsidized food grains through the PDS, the Bill in addition, also has the clause to provide a financial assistance of Rs. 6000 to the pregnant women. The responsibility to run the PDS shops will be entrusted with the Self Help Group for women. Through the National Rural Ajeevika Mission, women are now can avail loans at lower rates with the help of Self Help Groups and thus to make them self reliant.

Further the adolescent girls are being benefitted by the SABLA scheme, implemented to enable self-development and their empowerment, to improve their health and nutrition status and also to provide skill development training. The girls who successfully come out after the training will be the main activists of this Ahimsa Messenger programme and the Anganwadi workers will have the role of coaches.

We know that making laws and policies is not enough; but we also have to implement them at the grass-root levels. The most fundamental issue is that the mindset and old thoughts of our society have to be changed. In this modern society, we must be ready to ensure equal rights for women; it is our responsibility and a challenge.  What we want now is a social revolution to demolish all the walls of discrimination amongst women.

I want to tell my sisters assembled here that the first step in this direction should start from us and that too from our homes. We all know that parents are the best teachers as far as children are concerned.

In a family the right that a male child has should be given to a girl child too. Like every boy, each girl child also has the right to get proper education, training, job and also to secure a respectable position in the society. Girls also must have the feeling of safety, self-reliance and confidence.  I earnestly hope that this Ahimsa Messenger programme will have a great role make this mission possible.

I take this opportunity to congratulate Smt Krishna Tirath and her colleagues and staff for launching this prestigious scheme. I also thank the huge gathering of girls and Anganwadi workers who are assembled here in this wonderful function. 

Let us take a pledge today that we will, together, work hand-in-hand, to put an end to the atrocities and violence against women. Let us all work together to ensure empowerment, development and respect to all our sisters.
Thank you.

Sonia Gandhi launches Ahimsa Messenger, says atrocities against women must end

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Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi launched the ‘Ahimsa Messenger’ Programme – an initiative by the Centre to address the violence against women - on Saturday. “This Ahimsa Messenger programme is aimed at generating awareness about basic legal rights of the women, their economic and social development and on their respect and safety” said Sonia Gandhi. The Congress President also said that just making laws would not prevent crimes. “We know that making laws and policies is not enough; but we also have to implement them at the grass-root levels. The most fundamental issue is that the mindset and old thoughts of our society have to be changed. In this modern society, we must be ready to ensure equal rights for women; it is our responsibility and a challenge. What we want now is a social revolution to demolish all the walls of discrimination amongst women,” said Sonia Gandhi.

Sonia Gandhi addresses the function after launching Ahimsa Messenger in New Delhi

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi launched the 'Ahimsa Messenger' Programme -- an initiative to address the violence against women by the Centre - on Saturday. Smt. Krishna Tirath, Minister, Women and Child Development in the presence of Shri V. Kishore Chandra Deo Minister, Panchayati Raj and Tribal Affairs were also present. Nearly 30,000 girls from Delhi NCR who have been benefitted by Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls or SABLA also attended the function.