Ambala,
Santosh Dahiya, president of the women’s wing of the Sarv Jaat Sarv Khap Mahapanchayat, yesterday accused the state government of having an uncaring attitude towards women achievers. She said the government had failed to motivate people working at the grass-roots level for women empowerment.

Santosh, while speaking to The Tribune over phone, said, “The ‘’Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’’ campaign is a good initiative but the government is trying to bring change and take credit by just raising slogans. Things at the ground will not change by slogans. No one is talking about security of women. A large umber of women in Haryana have been making efforts to save the girl child and empower women, but they have not been given the due credit.”

Santosh has been working in the field of women empowerment, female foeticide, honour killing, domestic violence and purdah custom removal for more than eight years. She was among the 100 women achiever awardees who were hosted by former President Pranab Mukherjee last year.

“A total of 100 women across the country were honoured last year, of which six were from Haryana. While other state governments have honoured their women achievers and their suggestions are welcomed whenever there is an issue regarding women, the scenario in Haryana is different. The state government has failed to recognise our hard work,” she said.

“Women, who have been working on the ground, can help in making better policies, as they know the real problems. Such women should be given a chance. Instead of appointing people from Bollywood and sports, the Haryana Government should appoint as brand ambassador someone who has been making efforts to save the girl child in real life,” she added.