Chief Minister of Punjab, Captain Amarinder Singh has stayed true to Congress’s 2017 manifesto and made a life-altering announcement this Monday, June 19; girls in the state are going to receive free education! Punjab holds one of the highest female literacy rates in India, at 70.73% and it is about to go higher with the implementation of this new law.

From Nursery to getting a Ph.D, all government educational institutions will be providing education for women, free of charge, and this is inclusive of textbooks that will additionally be accessible online. Implementation of this law will begin with the next academic session, including the availability of textbooks. ‘Educate a girl, empower a nation’ - was one of the slogans of this year’s International Women’s Day and it is an exceptional feeling to see our country making tangible strides to empower its women, and consequently, the entire country.

The right to be a contributing member to society, in whichever way they choose, and being economically independent is something women have had to fight for since the conception of gender equality – a fight many women have to go through till date. In those regards, Captain Amarinder Singh’s announcement comes as a much-deserved victory.

Here are some of the key points in the manifesto working towards female empowerment:

I. 33 per cent reservation for women in all government jobs, including contractual appointments

II. Increase representation of women in PRIs and ULBs from 33 per cent to 50 per cent

III. Crisis centres in all districts to help women affected by domestic violence

Representational feature image via WCRC Leaders Asia Magazine