Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today stated that women have the capacity and compassion to strengthen the society economically and socially.
"India is the only democratic country in the world where women got all equal rights without initiating movement like women liberation. Our constitution has ensured equal rights to women," she said in her inaugural address at a seminar on 'Women Empowerment and Social Development' organized by Bharati Vidyapeeth Institute of Management and Research (BVIMR) here on the occasion of the golden jubilee celebration of Bharati Vidyapeeth.
Dikshit stated that it is not so relevant that how many women get recognition, though, it is acceptable that the societies are sustained by the strength of women.
"I have been repeatedly stating that more than 76 percent of entire work being done in world is being undertaken by women. Their contribution at home and at their workplace is not at all evaluated. Even, the efforts and contribution of women are not being recognized," she said.
The Chief Minister said that her government has set up 140 Gender Resource Centres, which have been making women from vulnerable sections trained enough to supplement to their family income.
"My government has tried to empower women by implementing Dilli Annshree Yojana and has now decided to implement Food Security Scheme, the benefits would be percolated down through the female head of the family. Our government was the first to introduce Laadli scheme which was later on replicated by Central Government and other states," she added.
Dikshit said that the Delhi Government has also ensured personal hygiene to adolescent girls in the schools of the city.
"This is a unique initiative taken by the government. Further, my government has been providing relief to women in registration of properties in their names. They are being charged 2 percent less on stamp duty. The low-cost houses would also be allotted in the name of women as first owner," said Dikshit.
"In order to accelerate the process of women empowerment, the city government provided 50 percent reservation in the three corporations which helped women in taking lead roles," she added.
Referring to the crimes against women, Dikshit stated that her government has set up a 24x7 Helpline No. 181 for women in distress, actively contributed in setting up of special fast-track courts and getting certain provisions of IPC amended at the earliest.
She stated that if the police and society work together, a positive change can be brought in the society.
The Vice-Chancellor of Indira Gandhi Technical University for Women, Prof. Nupur Prakash, delivered the keynote address.
Bharati Vidyapeeth Director Dr. Nitin Naik and Regional Director C.B. Sawant were also present on the occasion.
