In his message on the eve of International Women's Day, Mukherjee asked people to resolve to redouble efforts for the protection and welfare of women.
"I extend warm greetings and good wishes to women in all parts of our country. I thank them for their invaluable contribution in the making of our great nation.
"Women in India have attained greatness through the ages -in political, academic and spiritual spheres. They enjoyed freedom and equal participation in public life in ancient India," the President observed.
"Empowerment of women must be regarded as not only an element of our efforts towards gender equality but also a critical step for stimulating their full participation in nation-building.
"We as a society must work towards changing negative perceptions about women. Women should be provided a safe, secure and congenial environment in which their talents can flower and they can contribute their full share in the building of our nation," Mukherjee said in a release issued by Rashtrapati Bhavan.