Latest news with #InternationalWomen'sDay
Hindustan Times
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
In digital age, Samajwadi Party takes postcard route to connect with women voters
In the social media-dominated era, the long-forgotten postcard is making a comeback for the Samajwadi Party which plans to establish a 'one-on-one' connect with women voters of the state ahead of the 2026 panchayat polls and the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. The postcard distributed by SP Mahila Sabha with an image of SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and a message on it. (SOURCED I) Under the aegis of the SP Mahila Sabha, the Samajwadi Party has launched an innovative campaign distributing postcards to women across Uttar Pradesh, enabling them to directly address their concerns to party chief Akhilesh Yadav. The post cards are pre-printed with a photo to SP chief Akhilesh Yadav on one side and 'A Message to National President Akhilesh Yadav Ji' written on it. This initiative aims to strengthen ties with women voters, who constitute a significant portion of the electorate, by providing a tangible, personal platform to voice their concerns and opinion on issues like safety, education and economic challenges. Elaborating on the initiative, SP Mahila Sabha national president and former minister Juhie Singh said, 'The SP Mahila Sabha consists of committees on the national, state, district and Vidhan Sabha level. Through the district and Vidhan Sabha level committees, we are reaching out to block and panchayat level in an attempt to bring more people to our fold and strengthen the organisation further. Along with senior post holders and new members, we are ensuring responsibility for everyone and representation of women at every booth in the state.' 'We started a pilot project headed by the SP Mahila Sabha in which we are distributing postcards to women during PDA panchayats and other meetings of the Mahila Sabha in the state and (are) encouraging them to write their issues and expectations directly to our party chief, Akhilesh Yadav Ji. Those who want they can send the postcards directly to the party office, while we are also collecting these cards from them and submitting them at party headquarters where a team is deployed to organise and compile the suggestions and issues written by the women. The main aim of this programme is to get written suggestions, feedback directly from the ground and to establish a connection between the voters and the party,' Juhie Singh added. 'In many cases, some women are called to the party office and their meeting is organised with the SP chief who takes ground level feedback directly from women voters. This feedback will definitely help us in identifying the real issues faced by women and also help us in formulation of the party's manifesto for the 2027 state assembly elections,' the SP Mahila Sabha chief said. Approximately 15,000 post cards have been distributed among the women voters of the state, out of which the party has received 5000 postcards with women writing their woes, issues and hopes. The postcard initiative was started by SP Mahila Sabha on International Women's Day earlier this year and will continue in the run-up to the 2027 assembly elections. SP spokesperson and manifesto committee member Ameeque Jamei stated that postcards are still prevalent in rural parts of the country and the feedback that party will get will help it formulating future policies for women. 'Since the era of Netaji (Mulayam Singh Yadav), the Samajwadi Party's focus has been on women from the rural background and the issues they face. The policy of the SP government during 2012-17 by Akhilesh Yadavji, like 1090 women power line, scholarships, pension etc. All these have been destroyed by the BJP government in the state,' Jamei stated. 'Even today, in rural India, people use postcards for communication. The feedback that we will get from them will help us in designing our future policies. The agenda of half the population will be on the agenda of the Samajwadi Party for upcoming elections,' Ameeque Jamei added. In June, Akhilesh Yadav had announced that if his party formed a government in Uttar Pradesh in 2027, it would give ₹3,000 per month to poor women under the Stree Samman Samriddhi Yojana. Addressing a press conference after a meeting with SP Mahila Sabha on June 22, Akhilesh Yadav had said, 'The BJP government has either changed the names of all the schemes started by the SP government for women or ruined them. As soon as the SP government is formed, the 1090 service created for women's safety will be strengthened further. Stree Samriddhi Samman Yojana for women will be implemented in the state and like the Samajwadi pension scheme, women will be given ₹3,000 per month.'
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Governor bats for empowerment of transgender kids
1 2 Lucknow: Governor Anandiben Patel on Monday emphasised the importance of providing transgender children with affection, education and equal opportunities, as this would help in developing an inclusive and empowered India. She was speaking during the conference on breaking barriers, women in leadership, and entrepreneurship organised by the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce at a private hotel. "Entrepreneurs should employ transgenders and provide them with training. This will not only help them in the direction of self-reliance, but their families and society will also start accepting them," she said. She said in Kashi and Basti, there are many educational institutions for the transgender community. "Women today are moving ahead by overcoming all barriers. They need to be made aware and provided the benefits of the govt's welfare schemes. The day is not far when only women will be seen in the highest posts in the country," said the governor. On the occasion, Patel honoured 14 women entrepreneurs. Appreciating their achievements, the governor said their work is an inspiration for other women. "Whenever such programmes are organised in future, those women from rural areas should also be honoured who are bringing change in society with their hard work, courage, and innovation despite limited resources," she said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You To Read in 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo She urged the people present to take a pledge that they will provide training, security, and employment to women and will help in providing quality education opportunities to their children. State horticulture, agricultural marketing, agricultural foreign trade and agricultural exports minister Dinesh Pratap Singh was the chief guest while folk singer Malini Awasthi and social activist Namrata Pathak were the guests of honour. Malini Awasthi shared her mother's profound joy when the inaugural International Women's Day was celebrated in 1975, noting its significant meaning to their generation.
Toronto Sun
a day ago
- Toronto Sun
Police arrest 11 suspects over 'honour killing' of newlywed couple in Pakistan
Published Jul 21, 2025 • 2 minute read Supporters of the Pakistani Islamic political party Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) hold placards as they march during a rally to mark the International Women's Day in Lahore on March 8, 2020. Demonstrators were gathering for rallies across Pakistan on March 8 to mark International Women's Day in an ultra-conservative society where women are still put to death under ancient "honour" codes. Photo by ARIF ALI / AFP via Getty Images QUETTA, Pakistan — Police in southwestern Pakistan arrested 11 suspects after a video went viral, showing a young couple murdered for marrying without their families' approval, authorities said Monday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The disturbing footage caused an uproar in the country, with activists demanding swift justice and a stop to so-called honour killings, where family members target women who don't follow local traditions and culture or decide to marry someone of their choosing. The video, which surfaced over the weekend on social media and was viewed by The Associated Press, showed a man executing the young couple at close range in daylight as others stood by. Police confirmed the authenticity of the footage, saying the killings happened in the Deghari district in the province of Balochistan, said Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti In the video, several men arrive in pickup trucks in a mountainous region, and a young woman, speaking the local language, says she is legally married. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Come, walk seven steps with me, and then you can only shoot me,' she says. It isn't clear what she meant. A man follows her, takes out a gun and shoots her three times before she collapses on the ground. He then shoots and kills her husband before another man takes out a gun and joins him in shooting the groom. The video ends with both victims lying bloodied on the ground. Local police identified the bride and groom only as Bano Bibi and Ahsan Ullah and released some of the suspects' names, saying the provincial government had initiated the investigation as none of the couple's family members came forward. 'The bravery shown by the slain woman is both humbling and remarkable, as she neither begged for her life nor showed any weakness,' said Farhatullah Babar, a Pakistani human rights activist. He condemned the couple's killing and called for strict punishment for everyone involved in the 'brutal murder of the newlywed couple.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. A tribal elder, Sardar Satakzai, ordered the couple killed after the bride's brother complained she married without his consent, said police chief, Naveed Akhtar. Both were among the 11 arrested in a series of raids and authorities were looking for nine more suspects, he said. The video was shot and posted by an unidentified person, Akhtar said. Honour killings are still common in Pakistan. In January, police arrested a Pakistani man suspected of killing his U.S.-born 15-year-old daughter for refusing to stop posting videos on TikTok, a platform with more than 54 million users in the country. Toronto & GTA Canada Football Toronto & GTA Editorial Cartoons
Belfast Telegraph
4 days ago
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Call for investigation after Belfast's Mary Ann McCracken city hall statue damaged and Irish inscription targeted
There has been condemnation and demands for an investigation over damage done to the statue of an anti-slavery campaigner in the grounds of Belfast City Hall. The statue of campaigner and advocate Mary Ann McCracken was erected outside the building in March last year alongside trade unionist Winifred Carney to mark International Women's Day. Both were the first non-royal women to get statues in the grounds of the building. Sinn Féin councillor Ronan McLaughlin said the statue has been defaced and called for a 'full investigation' into the damage. He also claimed the damage targeted the specific section of the statue which was in Irish. 'It is disgraceful that the statue of Mary Ann McCracken has targeted and damaged,' said the councillor. 'Even more concerning is that the damage appears to have been aimed specifically at the section inscribed as Gaeilge. 'This statue stands proudly at city hall in memory of a remarkable anti-slavery campaigner and Irish republican. Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly recreates a famous Rory McIlroy shot 'I have spoken with council officials and called for a full investigation into the damage. I have also asked that the matter be referred to the PSNI. 'Those responsible must be held accountable for their actions to ensure this intolerant behaviour is not repeated. 'Sinn Féin is calling for repairs to be carried out as quickly as possible so the statue can continue to be enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.' The PSNI and Belfast City Council have been contacted.
Al-Ahram Weekly
4 days ago
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Nurturing the youngest - Egypt - Al-Ahram Weekly
A plan to upgrade nurseries and improve services for children under four is now in action The Ministry of Social Solidarity began a nationwide inventory of nurseries on 29 June in alignment with the presidential directives issued in March on International Women's Day to increase the number of nurseries and raise the enrollment rate of children from birth to four years old. In May and during a meeting with Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli, Maya Morsi, the minister of social solidarity, reviewed the status of nurseries under the National Early Childhood Development Programme, outlining the plan for early childhood development and nursery services. The plan aims to expand the number of nurseries by 2027 to accommodate 13,000 children, upgrade 113 nurseries, establish 176 new ones, and train 2,308 care providers, nursery managers, and parents on ways to deal with kids in addition to implementing a unified preschool curriculum and activities to be offered in nurseries nationwide. According to the latest Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics (CAPMAS) figures, the number of children in Egypt was 39.6 million in mid-2023, with 20.3 million males (51.3 per cent of the total) and 19.3 million females. The number of nurseries affiliated with the Ministry of Social Solidarity rose to 25,200, with 1.5 million children enrolled in 2022. With the commencement of the census, 1,800 social workers were deployed countrywide to collect detailed information on children from birth to four years old, as well as on licensed and unlicensed nurseries. Nursery owners were taken by surprise when staff from the social solidarity directorates and rural women leaders arrived to inspect the premises, take photographs, and check birth certificates. This raised concerns, particularly among owners of unlicensed nurseries. According to a working mother in Zeitoun neighbourhood, 'There are very few licensed nurseries in the area. Most of them are unlicensed, and their monthly fees are lower.' 'My work gave me only three months of maternity leave, and I didn't have the luxury of staying home to care for my newborn. At first, I tried to apply for my daughter at a well-known nursery in our neighbourhood, but it had a waiting list and the fees were exorbitant. I was worried about the alternative: unlicensed nurseries, as I assumed their standards would be poor or that they wouldn't provide proper care.' 'I was surprised to find the opposite. I enrolled my daughter in a nursery located on the second floor, and found that it provided excellent care, attention, education, and cleanliness.' A nursery owner in the same neighbourhood said, 'The only space I could find for a nursery was a spacious apartment on the third floor, which meant I was violating the first licensing condition: that nurseries must be located on the ground floor. I had searched extensively for ground-floor spaces, but couldn't find any. I did find a villa with a garden, but at a monthly rent of LE25,000, which I couldn't afford.' The owner noted that the cost of furnishing and equipping the nursery is very high, explaining that one child's chair costs LE250. She added that she had tried to obtain a loan from Nasser Bank to improve the nursery, but the primary requirement was having a licensed facility — something she did not have. Upon starting the census, due to concerns voiced by unlicensed nurseries, the Ministry of Social Solidarity granted them a temporary licence valid for six months, allowing time to rectify their legal status. To obtain the temporary licence, applicants must comply with several regulations, including requirements related to both the licensed applicant and the nursery administrator. These include submitting a copy of their national ID, educational qualifications, a criminal record certificate, a health certificate, a declaration confirming the appointment of qualified staff, and the availability of personnel files. If the staff are unqualified, they will receive training in coordination with the ministry. Additionally, applicants must submit a declaration of implementing a child protection policy, a statement assuming full responsibility for children's safety, and a declaration committing to compliance with all relevant authorities during the temporary licence period, including Civil Protection, the Ministry of Local Development, the New Urban Communities Authority, and other relevant bodies. Regarding location, the regulations stipulate that nurseries must be located no higher than the first floor, possess proof of ownership or a valid lease, adhere to the child capacity specified in the temporary licence, and be situated in an area free of any hazards that could endanger children. The ministerial circular also outlined procedures for the directorates to follow. These include conducting a census of all requests submitted by nurseries seeking to regularise their status, classifying the obstacles preventing licensing, and submitting this information to the ministry. In addition, each directorate must submit a monthly report detailing the number of completed temporary licence applications. Furthermore, a committee stemming from the Higher Committee for Nurseries was established to oversee the regularisation process and address related challenges. Its responsibilities include compiling a national database of statistics received from the directorates and identifying and resolving issues impeding the issuance of temporary licences. The committee is also tasked with coordinating with relevant authorities as needed. A central committee has also been established to monitor nurseries that have been granted temporary licences, following a timetable to ensure their eligibility and oversee the progress of their licensing procedures. Upon hearing about the census, an unlicensed nursery declined to take in children, leading one mother of two to find another nursery. 'It was also unlicensed, but located on the ground floor, though far from my home. Still, I had no alternative,' the mother said. Unlicensed nursery fees in middle income areas start from LE1,200 while licensed nurseries start at LE2,500. 'The survey is being conducted using Geographic Information Systems, in line with national digitisation and digital transformation efforts,' said Deputy Minister of Social Solidarity Margaret Saroufim. 'The census is meant to develop policies supporting families. The lack of data in this sector hinders development strategies,' she added. According to Morsi during her meeting with Madbouli in May, a proposal to amend the regulations governing nurseries has been finalised. In addition, an integrated system has been developed to automate early childhood services, including licensing procedures for nurseries. The goal is to address the key challenges nurseries face and improve access for children. * A version of this article appears in print in the 17 July, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
