Stressing on the need to achieve true gender equity, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Friday said empowering women will enable them to lead a life of dignity, respect and make informed decisions.
Addressing the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of ‘Mahila Dakshata Samiti’ in Hyderabad, Naidu said despite India’s rich history dotted with achievements of women, gender discrimination still exists in the country.
“There is enough evidence to show that women during the early Vedic period were seen as equal to men in all walks of life. Our cultural moorings have gender equality as a core principle,” Naidu said.
“We are proud inheritors of a culture and a world view in which women were not only treated equally but were revered,” he added.
The Vice President said that India’s long, rich history is dotted with numerous achievements of extraordinary women and that the country has a long lineage of highly accomplished women.
“Despite our rich heritage, there has been unfortunately a parallel trend of gender discrimination. This has resulted in low literacy, low education and consequently, low representation in the workforce and politics,” he said.
The Vice President said that unequal access to education, gainful employment and growth opportunities are widening the gender gap and atrocities on women and domestic abuse are unfortunately tarnishing our image as a nation.
“Empowering women will enable them lead a life of dignity, respect and make informed decisions,” he said.