'Countries can't progress if gender discrimination continues'

In a bid to bridge the gender gap, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today appealed to people to change their perception towards a girl child and said that countries cannot grow if they continued to discriminate between children on the basis of gender.
"Girls require economic security, just as boys do, and access to quality education and jobs so that they become equal partners in progress and development of the state. Please provide girls a level-playing field as they have the ability to match and even surpass our expectations," Sayeed said.
The Chief Minister was speaking after formally launching Ladli Beti scheme, a social security scheme for girls born in low-income families, at SKICC here.

The Chief Minister also launched an insurance-based scheme, AASRA, which aims at providing security to low-income groups in the event of death or disability.
Referring to the difficult task of bringing up a child, the Chief Minister said Ladli Beti scheme will provide much- needed economic security to the girl child born in a poor family.
"It is a revolutionary step towards social security of the girls. The scheme will come as a huge relief to those poor parents who live from hand-to-mouth," he said.

Stressing on providing the girl child access to education and jobs, Sayeed said the government will soon establish IT Parks, both at Jammu and Srinagar, which have the potential to generate employment, particularly for females.

"I would like to tell the investors now that J-K has come a long way. I have taken up the matter regarding investment in private sector in the state at the highest level," he said.
During his speech, the Chief Minister also announced the introduction of Ladli Beti Scheme in district Kishtwar as well.
Earlier, the Chief Minister distributed passbooks and registration certificates among the beneficiaries of Ladli Beti scheme. He also issued registration certificates for beneficiaries under AASRA.
Speaking on the occasion, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti said it was one of the happiest days of her life.
She said while people make symbolic gestures towards gender equality, the world continues to be stacked heavily against the girl child.

"Real peace and prosperity will only come if we are able to secure the future of our womenfolk," she said.