Ashwamedh Devi, a senior JD(U) leader, and former Lok Sabha member, has been appointed as the chairperson of the State Commission for Women (SCW) in Bihar. The state government took a significant step by reconstituting the commission and other boards on Tuesday evening. The SCW had been almost non-operational for years due to the absence of its members and chairperson.
Joining Ashwamedh Devi on the commission are seven other accomplished women from different fields. Among them, four belong to the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), two are from Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)], and one is from the Congress party. This inclusion of members from diverse political backgrounds demonstrates a commitment to gender representation in the decision-making process.
The members representing RJD on the commission are Prabhawati Manjhi from Jehanabad, Rabiya Khatoon from Bhagalpur, Sunita Kushwaha from Gopalganj, and Geeta Yadav from Saharsa. From the JD(U), the commission comprises Shweta Bishwas, leader of the party's women's cell, from Patna, and Sulochana Devi from Purnia. Dr. Sujata Sumbrai from the Congress party, hailing from Siwan, brings a wealth of experience and leadership skills to the commission. She is also the daughter of veteran Congress leader and former Singhbhum (Jharkhand) MP Bagun Sumbrai.
In addition to the SCW, the Bihar state government constituted the Bihar Sanskrit Shiksha Board and the Bihar Madrassa Shiksha Board. The Sanskrit Shiksha Board has appointed Bhola Yadav as its chairperson. Yadav is a former MLA and a trusted associate of RJD leader Lalu Prasad. Salim Parvez, a prominent JD(U) leader and former deputy chairman of the Bihar legislative council, will lead the Madrassa Board.
The appointment of Ashwamedh Devi as the SCW chairperson and the inclusion of competent women from different political parties highlight a collective effort to strengthen women's representation and empowerment in Bihar. The commission has a variety of voices and experiences, making it capable of addressing gender-related issues and advocating for women's rights and equality in the state. This move represents a significant step towards building a more inclusive and fair society in Bihar, where women can take an active part in shaping policies and decision-making.
