NEW DELHI: President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday said women empowerment was not just an issue of social justice but it was also crucial for economic development.
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Budget 2023 Live UpdatesHighlighting that the low participation of women in the workforce is a major hindrance in the overall development of the country, she said India, the fifth largest economy in the world, is now moving towards becoming a five trillion dollar economy and a more active role for women would be helpful in achieving this goal.
Speaking at the foundation day celebration of the National Commission for Women, the President emphasised that it’s not possible to imagine a strong and healthy society without women empowerment.
“Together we have to work towards creating an environment where all women can fully participate and contribute in the socio-economic, cultural and political spheres significantly,” the President stated.
Speaking about gender discrimination, she said even today, the situation of gender-ratio in many parts of India is worrying. “Examples of female foeticide are also seen in well educated parts of India,” she said. She emphasised it is not only the responsibility of the government but of the whole society to change this situation. She said while ensuring gender justice, we have to make our development equitable,” she said.
Murmu said the need to create a separate commission for half of the country’s population shows that women are yet to get their due respect and rights. “We see that our sisters and daughters are flying in space, giving leadership in the armed forces, while on the other hand they are becoming victims of domestic violence and facing discrimination and harassment at the workplace,” she said. She stressed that only by improving the status of women, India would be able to make overall progress.
On the occasion, Murmu received the first copy of the book ‘Sashakt Nari, Sashakt Bharat’, that captures the NCW’s journey, from WCD minister Smriti Irani.