Union Minister of Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi has re-affirmed India's commitment to gender equality, empowerment of women and eradication of poverty among them.
Particpating in the "Asia and Pacific Conference on Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment: Beijing+20 Review" here, she said women in India may have seen poverty and illiteracy, but are marching ahead rapidly to become equal contributors in the economic and social development of the nation and are aiming to set their footprints on the world.
The minister presented a detailed picture of initiatives undertaken by the NDA Government across ministries with interventions in legislative, institutional and service delivery fronts.
Gandhi described herself as a representative of women who may have suffered gender inequality for centuries, but are committed to claim their place in society.
She further stated that women have achieved a lot in the last few decades despite the heavy odds against them. They have risen to head national governments, they have led political and social revolutions, they have created business empires, they have discharged multiple roles at the same time with utmost efficiency and sensitivity and above all they have toiled hard to keep the sanity of the world intact.
Her comment that "If the ability to multi-task and bear suffering is a qualification, then we are the stronger sex" was greeted by loud applause by the delegates.
She underlined the fact that women will get all other equalities if they get financial independence.
She gave details of the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the field of skill development.