Kashmir advocacy group to intensify fight against drug addiction, women to lead awareness drive
Srinagar, July 12
The Kashmir Women's Organisation has said the organisation will significantly intensify its campaign against drug addiction by placing women at the forefront of awareness, prevention and rehabilitation efforts under the Nasha Mukt Bharat campaign.
Speaking to IANS on Saturday, KWO Chairperson Darakhshan Hassan Bhat, a PhD scholar, said that the KWO will expand awareness programmes, strengthen family support systems, facilitate counselling and rehabilitation through experts, and encourage women struggling with substance abuse to seek treatment without fear or social stigma.
"The Lieutenant Governor, during the Gender Equity Fellowship event, asked us what we were doing under the Nasha Mukt Bharat campaign. We have already organised awareness drives and community outreach programmes, but now the time has come to accelerate our efforts," she said.
Emphasising the wider social impact of drug abuse, Bhat said women are often the worst affected by addiction either directly or as mothers, daughters, wives and sisters of those battling substance abuse. She said empowering women is crucial to building stronger families and communities capable of resisting the menace of drugs.
She added that women have the potential to become powerful agents of social change and must play a leading role in the fight against addiction.
Referring to the government's 100 days Nasha Mukt Abhiyan initiative, she said thousands of women had participated, and KWO is now preparing a comprehensive action plan to further strengthen its contribution in the coming months.
Highlighting the organisation's achievements, Bhat said, "The KWO has directly engaged more than 20,000 women and reached over eight million people through digital platforms. The creation of a strong network of women leaders is one of the organisation's biggest accomplishments."
She said that the KWO promotes women's leadership through initiatives such as the Gender Equity Fellowship, which equips participants with skills in leadership, communication, constitutional awareness, public policy, digital literacy and community engagement.
She also highlighted the role of the Darakshan Sitaray podcast and social media platforms in amplifying positive narratives, countering misinformation and encouraging women to assume leadership roles.
Acknowledging challenges such as domestic violence, limited opportunities and social barriers, Bhat said the organisation continues to address these issues through awareness campaigns, mentorship, leadership training and grassroots outreach, particularly in rural and remote areas.
Outlining KWO's future roadmap, she said the organisation aims to expand its grassroots presence, promote women's entrepreneurship, enhance digital literacy and increase women's participation in decision-making over the next five years, while making the fight against drug addiction one of its central priorities.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Finally, some real social action. I am from Srinagar and I see so many youth struggling with substance abuse, especially after COVID. Women can definitely bring more empathy and accountability to the rehabilitation process.
Impressive numbers—reaching over 8 million through digital platforms is no small feat. The Gender Equity Fellowship sounds like a well-structured program. I wonder if similar models could work in other parts of India too.
All this is good but the real problem is the easy availability of drugs across the border. Unless the supply chain is dismantled, no amount of awareness will fully solve the issue. Still, grassroots work is needed.
This is what empowerment looks like—women not just as beneficiaries but as leaders. The podcast initiative to counter misinformation is especially relevant in today's social media age. Kudos to the KWO team! 🇮🇳
My cousin is a recovering addict from Baramulla. The stigma is so real that families hide it. I full support this awareness drive. But the government must also create more rehab centres with trained counsellors. Don't just talk, act.
Women leading the fight makes perfect sense—they are the ones who suffer the most when a family member gets addicted. Nasha
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.