Ambala : Health Minister Anil Vij launched a programme to empower women lodged in Haryana’s jails by developing their skills at Central Jail here.
Nearly 1,000 women were lodged in 19 jails of the state. Loomba Foundation, which had been working in the field to empower widows, would provide skill development training to the inmates.
“The government has launched various programmes to empower women. It is good to know that the foundation wants to help women inmates by developing their skills,” Vij said.
Raj Loomba, chairman trustee of the foundation and member of the House of Lords in the United Kingdom, said his mother’s struggle during as a widow had made him take the initiative.
“The sole purpose of the project is to help women inmates by developing their skills during their stay in prison, which will eventually help them after their release from prison,” he said.
Discrimination against widows is a major issue worldwide and a study has been carried out on their status, children and problems. There are 46 million widows in India raising nearly 100 million children,” he said.The situation is more painful in villages. We have suggested to the Prime Minister that a person should be appointed in every panchayat who can train widows and resolve their issues,” he stated.
We have requested him to constitute a national commission for widows to understand their needs. Widows should be considered as minority and given special quota, he added.
“The government spends a lot on jails. We get Rs 225 crore from the government. We need sanctions for everything and there is no flexibility,” said DGP Yashpal Singhal.
There is no such issue with non-government organizations. This is the reason we have been encouraging these to come forward and impart skill development training to inmates, he said. Women inmates were provided 20 sewing machines on the occasion. A trainer would be appointed and the salary borne by the foundation.
Note: News shared for public awareness with reference from the information provided at online news portals.
