Empowerment of Women of Ladakh

August 22, 2015

Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatiji, President of Divine Shakti Foundation and Director of International Yoga Festival 2015, was the Guest of Honor and speaker at the International Festival of Buddhist heritage of Ladakh special talk on Empowerment of Women of Ladakh on the 22nd August, 2015 at the Nagarjuna Auditorium in Leh-Ladakh, organized by the Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre (MIMC) in collaboration with Ladakh Buddhist Association (Women Wing), Anjuman Moin ul-Islam (Women Wing), Anjuman Imamia (Women Wing), Moravian Church (WW) Leh Mahila Mandal.

Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatiji started the evening by saying, “It is crucial that when we speak about empowerment we are clear on what we mean by empowerment. Empowerment is not merely material wealth and tangible financial assets but rather it is the investment of these monetary and material assets into the sharing and spreading our true wealth, our spiritual-cultural and natural heritage. Therefore, let us remember 3C’s of culture, connection and compassion.”

Dr. Kiran Bedi, First Women IPS Officer, shared a six point action resolution to encourage the women of Ladakh to not only remain empowered in their heritage but to exercise their political power by holding places within their legislative bodies and running for village elections. She inspired the wife of the Member of Parliament- Ladakh and the wife of the Autunomous Body of Ladakh to encourage their husbands to bring to fruition these actions.

Venerable Bhikkhu Sanghasenaji said, “The culture of Ladakh stands strong in its history of respecting women. The women serve as the backbone of our society. In the next millennium women will play an increasingly important role in the development of society. It is therefore necessary for us to prepare them for that role by giving them opportunities to participate in every field of human endeavor.”

The Chief Guest of the Function with Her Royal Highness Kesang Wangmo Wangchuk, Pdrincess of the World Kingdom of Bhutan, Special Guest of Honour was Her Royal Highness Gyalmo Diskit Wangmo (Rani Parvati Devi), Royal Palace Slok, Ladakh. Also present on the dias were Sarla Chewang, President of Leh Mahila mandal, Helena Norberg Hodge, Founder and Director, Local Futures- Intl Society if Ecology and Culture (USA) and Kiran Bali, Global Council Chairperson, United Religions Initiative, UK.