The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) has recognised the contribution of 90 outstanding women on International Women’s Day 2023.
Every year, the DCW celebrates International Women’s Day in March. In 2016, the Commission set up ‘International Women’s Day Awards’ to honour those inspirational people, both men and women, who have displayed untiring commitment towards the cause of women and girls. This year, the Commission held its annual International Women’s Day Awards on Saturday.
On this occasion, the DCW honoured those persons who have worked for the cause of women.
In the programme, women officers from the forces, sports, social institutions, and common citizens were honoured for their excellent work. This year, 90 such awards were given by the Commission.
Among the prominent faces who won the awards were Indian Tennis star Sania Mirza, Indian U-19 cricketer Sonia Mendhiya and International Hockey player Mumtaz Khan.
The award ceremony was graced by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal who was the Chief Guest.
Kejriwal also honoured the families of martyr Nishant Malik and Rifleman Manoj Bhati who lost their life in the line of duty fighting terrorists.
Kejriwal also awarded 3 octogenarians, including 105 years old Kuttiyamma, 105 year old Rambai and 95 year old Bhagwani Devi Dagar.
At 104 years of age Kuttiyamma Konthi has attained 89 percent in Kerala District Literacy Examination and proved that firm belief, hard work and consistency can make the impossible possible.
Super Dadi Rambai at 105 years of age is the recipient of 21 gold medals at various athletics meets. Bhagwani Ji won 3 medals for India at the World Master Athletics Championship, Finland. She created a national record by completing the 100-metre race in 24.74 seconds. She also bagged a bronze medal in Shot Put. The commission congratulated them for their courage and strength.
Kejriwal, while addressing the gathering, appreciated the functioning of the DCW. He was thrilled to give away the awards, especially to DTC women bus drivers. The CM said, “Delhi Government is committed to add more and more women bus drivers to the DTC bus fleet.”
Kejriwal also pointed out that the society must come forward to tackle crimes against women and girls. Talking about how the government of Delhi is stepping up towards making Delhi a safe city, the CM highlighted the CCTV project.
“Today Delhi has the most dense network of CCTVs in the world. We have left behind New York, Tokyo, Paris and all other metropolis cities of the world to make Delhi a safe place for women,” he said.
Further, the CM also outlined the role of the society in making cities safer for women. He said that DCW and the government are there as facilitators of women safety and empowerment, but to achieve it fully, you need the support of the society.
“As long as the society does not realise its responsibility and bring change from within, all our efforts will be fruitless.”
Referring to the Nirbhaya Case, he said, “Every man, every boy must see the safety of women as their own responsibility irrespective of who it is. We need to end the attitude of ignoring crimes against women. We as a country are a family, we have to look out for each other as a family, then only we can claim to have built a better nation.”
While addressing the award ceremony, Delhi Commission for Women Chairperson Swati Maliwal encouraged all people to seek strength and motivation from awardees.
She narrated her life’s ordeal and how she battled sexual harassment and domestic violence at the hands of her father in childhood and fought it.
She said, “We all should fight abuse tooth and nail.”