News & Announcement
10-Day Special Awareness Campaign under SANKALP: Hub for Empowerment of Women Commences in Pakyong
Pakyong, September 02 (IPR): The District Hub for Empowerment of Women (DHEW), Pakyong District, under the Women, Child, Senior Citizen, and Divyangjan Welfare Department, formally launched the 10-Day Special Awareness Campaign under SANKALP: Hub for Empowerment of Women (HEW) with a day-long awareness programme at Namcheybong GPU, today. This initiative is aimed at strengthening grassroots awareness of key women-centric welfare schemes, particularly the Mission Shakti Schemes and the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), thereby ensuring that the benefits of these flagship programmes reach the maximum number of eligible beneficiaries.
Delivering the opening address, Mr Alson Rai, Gender Specialist (DHEW), highlighted the role of the DHEW in coordinating women-related schemes and outreach activities at the district level. He explained that the campaign is designed to not only disseminate scheme-related information but also to promote dialogue with community members so that implementation becomes more inclusive and participatory.
The technical session was led by Mr Kesang Tamang, Paramedical Personnel, who made an in-depth presentation on several critical initiatives, including the Women Helpline (181), Child Helpline (1098), Mission Shakti Schemes, Sakhi Sadan, and the One Stop Centre (OSC).
He explained how each of these mechanisms serves as an important support system for women and children facing different forms of violence and discrimination. Through real-life case studies, Mr Tamang shed light on the types of violence frequently reported in rural and urban areas, and how grievance redressal frameworks provide timely intervention and protection. He strongly urged participants to memorise and share the helpline numbers with others in their communities, underscoring that timely access to these services can save lives and prevent exploitation.
The programme also included a detailed presentation by Ms Tshering Ongmu Lepcha, DEO, on the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY). She explained that the scheme, which provides financial assistance to pregnant women and lactating mothers, plays a crucial role in improving maternal health and ensuring proper nutrition for newborns.
Her session highlighted the scheme’s benefits, eligibility conditions, and the process of registration, thereby addressing common misconceptions that often discourage eligible women from applying.
Panchayat President of Namcheybong GPU, Mrs Shakeela Rai commended the efforts of the DHEW in bringing such programmes directly to rural communities. She stressed that schemes like Mission Shakti and PMMVY are transformative in nature and have the potential to uplift families by promoting gender equality and providing essential financial and social support.
Mrs Rai assured that Panchayat members would actively disseminate the information shared during the programme and work to ensure that beneficiaries at the grassroots are able to access and claim their entitlements under the various schemes.
Ms Yankit Doma Lepcha, Specialist in Financial Literacy (DHEW), moderated the proceedings of today’s awareness campaign.
The event also featured interactive discussions with GPU staff, women beneficiaries, and caregivers, who were encouraged to voice their concerns, share experiences, and seek clarification on scheme-related issues.
The discussions highlighted the need for continued awareness and regular follow-up activities so that the message of women’s empowerment reaches all segments of society, including the most marginalised.
The Special Awareness Campaign will be conducted across various parts of Pakyong District from 2nd to 12th September 2025, covering a wide spectrum of issues under the SANKALP: Hub for Empowerment of Women initiative. Through targeted sessions, outreach activities, and participatory events, the campaign seeks to build awareness, encourage dialogue, and mobilise communities towards collective action for women’s welfare.
The District Hub for Empowerment of Women has appealed to all stakeholders—including Panchayat leaders, grassroots workers, caregivers, and community-based organisations—to actively participate in the campaign and extend their support in spreading awareness about the Mission Shakti Schemes and PMMVY. Such collaboration, the DHEW stressed, is essential to ensure that no woman or child is left behind in accessing their rightful entitlements.
Delivering the opening address, Mr Alson Rai, Gender Specialist (DHEW), highlighted the role of the DHEW in coordinating women-related schemes and outreach activities at the district level. He explained that the campaign is designed to not only disseminate scheme-related information but also to promote dialogue with community members so that implementation becomes more inclusive and participatory.
The technical session was led by Mr Kesang Tamang, Paramedical Personnel, who made an in-depth presentation on several critical initiatives, including the Women Helpline (181), Child Helpline (1098), Mission Shakti Schemes, Sakhi Sadan, and the One Stop Centre (OSC).
He explained how each of these mechanisms serves as an important support system for women and children facing different forms of violence and discrimination. Through real-life case studies, Mr Tamang shed light on the types of violence frequently reported in rural and urban areas, and how grievance redressal frameworks provide timely intervention and protection. He strongly urged participants to memorise and share the helpline numbers with others in their communities, underscoring that timely access to these services can save lives and prevent exploitation.
The programme also included a detailed presentation by Ms Tshering Ongmu Lepcha, DEO, on the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY). She explained that the scheme, which provides financial assistance to pregnant women and lactating mothers, plays a crucial role in improving maternal health and ensuring proper nutrition for newborns.
Her session highlighted the scheme’s benefits, eligibility conditions, and the process of registration, thereby addressing common misconceptions that often discourage eligible women from applying.
Panchayat President of Namcheybong GPU, Mrs Shakeela Rai commended the efforts of the DHEW in bringing such programmes directly to rural communities. She stressed that schemes like Mission Shakti and PMMVY are transformative in nature and have the potential to uplift families by promoting gender equality and providing essential financial and social support.
Mrs Rai assured that Panchayat members would actively disseminate the information shared during the programme and work to ensure that beneficiaries at the grassroots are able to access and claim their entitlements under the various schemes.
Ms Yankit Doma Lepcha, Specialist in Financial Literacy (DHEW), moderated the proceedings of today’s awareness campaign.
The event also featured interactive discussions with GPU staff, women beneficiaries, and caregivers, who were encouraged to voice their concerns, share experiences, and seek clarification on scheme-related issues.
The discussions highlighted the need for continued awareness and regular follow-up activities so that the message of women’s empowerment reaches all segments of society, including the most marginalised.
The Special Awareness Campaign will be conducted across various parts of Pakyong District from 2nd to 12th September 2025, covering a wide spectrum of issues under the SANKALP: Hub for Empowerment of Women initiative. Through targeted sessions, outreach activities, and participatory events, the campaign seeks to build awareness, encourage dialogue, and mobilise communities towards collective action for women’s welfare.
The District Hub for Empowerment of Women has appealed to all stakeholders—including Panchayat leaders, grassroots workers, caregivers, and community-based organisations—to actively participate in the campaign and extend their support in spreading awareness about the Mission Shakti Schemes and PMMVY. Such collaboration, the DHEW stressed, is essential to ensure that no woman or child is left behind in accessing their rightful entitlements.
