Bandipora: During the recently concluded District Development Council (DDC)elections in Jammu and Kashmir, a large number of women participated in the polls - as voters and candidates as the government had kept few seats reserved for females.
Farwa Ibrahim, 23, is one among them who belongs to a far-flung area of north Kashmir's Bandipora district and emerged victorious in the DDC elections. The whole village of Farwa in Nowgam area is jubilant over her victory and hopes she works for development for this part of Kashmir.
Farwa, who defeated her rival with 1971 votes, is still pursuing her college education.
Farwa, who is among the youngest DDC members in Kashmir, fought the elections as an independent candidate. Haling Sonawari in Bandipora, it is the condition of her village that prompted Farwa to contest the local elections.
Initially reluctant to fight the polls because of her education, Farwa after much deliberation and motivation from village elders, contested the elections to improve the lives of the women around her.
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Now that the 23-year-old has won the DDC elections, her home is full of relatives and friends thronging their place to congratulate her on her victory.
Talking to ETV Bharat, Farwa said that it was the village elders who asked her to step up for the responsibility. After seeing the regular problems faced by the villagers, particularly women in her area, she couldn't shy away from it.
"I will try to address the issues here in my village. Our village still lacks the basic facilities in this age and it affects women the most. Even for a basic necessity like water, they have to walk miles to get it," Farwa said.
She thanked God for her success in the DDC elections and said it is her good fortune that she would be able to help people at this young age.
"Our society has a regressive mindset when it comes to women and it is my goal to work against that. I will work for the development of my area and for the rights of women," she added.
Farwa's mother said that she is overjoyed at the success of her daughter at such a young age.
"I hope she works for uplifting the poor and underprivileged. She should not be biased towards any section of the society and work for all," her mother said.
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