Birgunj, February 21

President Bidhya Devi Bhandari has said prosperity of the country will remain a far cry until women are empowered and their rights envisioned by the constitution are ensured.

Inaugurating Girls Education Insurance Fixed Deposit Programme under Educate Girls, Save Girls campaign run by Province 2 government in Birgunj today, the president stressed the need to send women to leadership positions to help create a prosperous society.

Further, expressing her confidence that the campaign will be instrumental in the education and health of girls, Bhandari urged other provinces to learn from the initiatives of Province 2. “It is sad that discrimination against girls is still very existent in our behaviour and customs and we still view expenses on the education of girls as waste of money. I hope this insurance programme will help uproot this entrenched discrimination,” Bhandari said.

Speaking at the programme, Province 2 governor Ratneshworlal Kayastha also expressed confidence that the programme would make a difference in the society in the plains where violence against women and dowry system are rife.

Similarly, Province 2 Chief Minister Lalbabu Raut also informed of his government’s preparations to ensure 50 per cent reservation for women in the employment sector.

“While we’re thinking of bringing the provision of 50 per cent reservation for women in the upcoming law, preparations are on to teach subjects such as English, Science and Nepali in Madarsas for the uplift of the Muslim community,” said Raut.

At today’s programme, the president provided receipts of insurance policies issued in the name of some 24 neonatals born since  January  15 in Birgunj metropolis, from ward 1 to 16, to their respective guardians.