Bathinda: National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar on Wednesday identified drug abuse as one of the biggest challenges facing women in Punjab, saying addiction devastates families and women bear its heaviest consequences.During a Jan Sunwai in Moga on the first day of her Punjab visit, Rahatkar personally heard over 100 complaints, most of them relating to domestic violence, and directed police and other departments to submit action taken reports within three days.“Addiction not only destroys the life of an individual but devastates entire families, with women often bearing the greatest burden of its consequences,” she said, urging people to adopt the message: “Say No to Drugs, Say Yes to Life.”Reviewing the implementation of women welfare schemes, Rahatkar asked officials to strengthen the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign, improve the functioning of Sakhi One Stop Centres, increase women’s participation in MGNREGA and prioritise the Lakhpati Didi scheme.She also directed all government and private institutions employing more than 10 people to constitute mandatory Internal Committees under the POSH Act to ensure a safe workplace for women.Later, at a programme in Dharamkot, she led participants in taking a pledge against drug abuse.
