<span style="color: #222222;">Amidst the growing requirement of masks to stop the spread of Coronavirus pandemic, female self help groups (SHGs) in Jammu and Kashmir have risen to extraordinary challenge by manufacturing more than 9 lakh face masks.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">AIR Correspondent reports that prior to the outbreak of pandemic, the members of SHGs of J&K State Rural Livelihoods Mission (JKSRLM) were stitching shirts, bags and uniforms but now their sewing machines they are focussing on manufacturing face-masks. The production of face masks by SHGs have not only ensured supplin the Union Territory, but has also provided employment to thousands of women during the lockdown.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Around 2000 women from several SHGs across the UT have joined the fight against COVID 19 who have, so far, successfully produced more than 9 lakh 73 thousand face masks, with Kashmir division producing 5 lakh 63 thousand and Jammu Division sewing more than 4 lakh face masks and they are still on the job in some districts.</span><br />''