DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AND TRIBAL WELFARE CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2025
Leh, March 8, 2025: The Department of Social and Tribal Welfare, Mission Shakti, in collaboration with women’s wing of different religious organizations, celebrated International Women’s Day 2025 with the theme “Women’s Health and Well-being” at the Lotsawa Auditorium Hall, Cultural Academy Leh.
The program commenced with the Chief Guest, Honourable First Lady, Smt Neelam Mishra flagging-off the Pink Patrol for women by Ladakh Police from the Cultural Academy Office Complex.
The event was attended by distinguished guests, including SSP Leh, Shruti Arora; Director, Social and Tribal Welfare,Tashi Dolma; President, Ladakh Buddhist Association Women Wing, Kunzes Dolma; President, Anjuman-e-Imamia women wing, Nasreen Maryam; President, Anjuman Moin-Ul-Islam women wing, Aisha Malo and Christian Association.
Addressing the gathering, Chief guest Smt Neelam Mishra stressed the importance of women’s roles in society, education, and hygiene. She appreciated government schemes for women’s empowerment and emphasized the need to nurture society as a whole. She reiterated the vision of making Ladakh a zero waste region by promoting sustainable solutions and spoke about the sanitary pad vending machines being installed at different locations with the aim to ensure easy access to menstrual products which are eco-friendly and affordable.
Earlier, Director, Social and Tribal Welfare Society, UT Ladakh, Tashi Dolma welcomed the guests and emphasized the significance of the day. She highlighted Ladakh’s progressive stance on women’s rights, noting the region’s absence of female infanticides and dowry systems. She praised the women of Ladakh for their achievements in various fields and acknowledged the department’s role in empowering women through various schemes.
The program also featured a movie screening on Trial Saffron Cultivation, initiated by Smt Neelam Mishra with the aim of empowering women economically. It was followed by a skit, presented, by the University of Ladakh students on the menace of drugs and substance abuse.
A panel discussion, moderated by journalist Rigzin Angmo, along with the panelist of Smt. Neelam Mishra; SSP Shruti Arora; Dr Nordan Otzer, Social Activist; Dr Padma Angmo, Physchatrist; Dr Shamima Haq, Gynaecologist; and representatives of Women Associations addressed critical issues such as women’s health, mental health, motherhood, sanitation, hygiene and other social issues.
The Women Achievers from different fields of social entrepreneurship, sports, education, etc from both Leh and Kargil district were felicitated on the occasion, recognising their excellence and contribution towards the society and its upliftment.
Similarly, stalls displaying the different schemes implemented by the Social and Tribal Welfare Department were also installed for awareness and dissemination of information.
Other dignitaries such as District Awardee and social activist, Abi Chocho Yangchen Dolma; famous differently abled singer, Thukjey Dolma and CDPOs of ICDS Projects; Anganwadi workers; police personnels and officials and staff of the department were also present on the occasion.
