HIRD Director Dr. Virender Singh Chauhan urges Women to speak out and raise their issues

Karnal, March 8, 2026: Women should start speaking out about their problems. When and where women speak openly, their problems come to the attention of both society and the government, and the process of resolving them begins. Dr. Virender Singh Chauhan, Director of the Haryana Institute of Rural Development (HIRD), expressed these views as the chief guest while addressing the Mahila Gram Sabha held at the Anganwadi premises in Bandarala village of Assandh block.

This Mahila Gram Sabha, held on International Women's Day, was chaired by the village Sarpanch, Akwinder Kaur.

At the end of the discussion at the Mahila Gram Sabha, Dr. Virender Singh Chauhan assured effective intervention in the matter by arranging for electric fans at the Anganwadi center soon and by communicating with the concerned department for electricity and water supply at the sub-health center.

During the discussion, the women of the village openly discussed important issues such as education, drug de-addiction, and the sex ratio. Binder Kaur raised the need to upgrade the village's primary school, stating that the village school is up to fifth grade only, and the girls have to be sent to other villages for further education. Many parents are reluctant to send their daughters to other villages, resulting in many girls dropping out of school.

Mamta expressed concern over the growing drug trade in the village and its adverse effects, sharing that her own husband died due to drug addiction. She added that in families with drug problems, incidents of assault and domestic violence against women have become common.

Staff at the sub-health center reported the alarming sex ratio in the village, stating that the number of boys born is almost twice that of girls. Despite awareness campaigns, the situation has not improved as expected over the past several years.

After a serious discussion, it was decided that under the chairmanship of Sarpanch Akwinder Kaur, in the coming days, issues related to education, drug addiction and respect for daughters will be worked on with more activism so that positive change can be brought in the village.

Asha worker Rajwinder Kaur, Panch Baldev Singh, Baljeet Singh, Village Secretary Karan, social worker Dr. Bhajan Lal and other villagers were present during this Mahila Gram Sabha.