Jalandhar, August 19, 2026: The National Commission for Women (NCW) has launched its ‘Yashoda AI’ initiative in Jalandhar, Punjab, with a focus on strengthening digital literacy among women and encouraging their participation in emerging technologies.
NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar visited Jalandhar as part of the Commission’s initiatives aimed at promoting women’s empowerment, safety and access to new opportunities. The Yashoda AI programme seeks to equip women with practical knowledge of Artificial Intelligence while creating greater awareness about cybersecurity, digital privacy and safe online practices. The initiative has been running since last year as part of the NCW’s broader efforts to improve women’s digital inclusion.
Yashoda AI Focuses on Digital Empowerment
The growing use of Artificial Intelligence is transforming education, employment, business and public services. Against this backdrop, the NCW’s Yashoda AI initiative aims to ensure that women are not left behind in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
During the programme in Jalandhar, Rahatkar highlighted the importance of creating awareness among women about opportunities emerging from new technologies. The initiative also places emphasis on responsible digital participation, including protection of personal information and awareness about online safety.
The programme was held at Lovely Professional University, where the NCW Chairperson interacted around the opportunities available to women in emerging technologies. The NCW has identified AI literacy as an important component of women’s digital empowerment.
NCW Reviews Women’s Safety and Protection Issues
During her Jalandhar visit, Vijaya Rahatkar also chaired a review meeting with senior district administration officials to assess issues related to women’s safety, security and protection.
The meeting focused on strengthening mechanisms that can provide women with a safer environment and ensure effective implementation of safeguards available to them. Rahatkar underlined that women’s safety is closely linked with effective governance and requires coordinated efforts from administration, institutions and communities.
The NCW Chairperson also stressed the importance of effective grievance-redressal mechanisms and awareness of legal protections for women. According to reports from her Jalandhar visit, compliance with workplace safeguards and awareness programmes were among the issues discussed during the review process.
‘She Serves’ Encourages Women to Join Armed Forces
Another major highlight of the visit was the inauguration of the ‘She Serves’ programme at Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidyalaya in Jalandhar.
The programme aims to encourage young women to consider career opportunities in the Armed Forces and increase awareness about pathways available to women who aspire to serve the country in the defence sector.
The initiative provides an important platform for young women to learn more about opportunities beyond conventional career choices and consider leadership, public service and national security as potential career avenues.
Women’s Empowerment Across Technology, Security and Careers
The NCW’s Jalandhar programmes underline a broader approach to women’s empowerment—one that extends beyond welfare measures to include technology, education, employment, safety and public service.
With AI and other emerging technologies rapidly changing the employment landscape, digital literacy can play a crucial role in helping women access new opportunities. At the same time, programmes such as ‘She Serves’ seek to expand awareness about career options in areas traditionally perceived as male-dominated.
The NCW’s initiatives in Jalandhar therefore bring together three important priorities: digital empowerment, women’s safety and greater participation in national service.
The Commission’s activities also come at a time when greater attention is being placed on creating safe digital spaces for women and ensuring that they have the skills required to participate meaningfully in India’s technology-driven economy.
A Wider Push for Women’s Participation
The launch of Yashoda AI in Jalandhar reflects the growing importance of digital inclusion in women’s empowerment. By combining AI literacy with awareness about cybersecurity and digital privacy, the initiative seeks to prepare women for a rapidly changing technological environment.
At the same time, the ‘She Serves’ programme sends a message to young women that opportunities in the Armed Forces and public service are increasingly open to those willing to pursue them.
Together, these initiatives demonstrate the NCW’s focus on expanding opportunities for women while strengthening the systems designed to protect their rights and safety.
