US President Barack Obama on Tuesday underlined the importance of women in the development of a nation, adding that no country that wants to succeed economically can afford to 'ignore the talents' of half its populace.
"Nations are more successful when their women are successful. This is one of the most direct measures of whether a nation is going to develop effectively is how it treats its women. When a girl goes to school, it benefits everyone because she may start her own business, or invent a new technology or cure a disease. When women are able to work then families are healthier and communities are wealthier and the entire country becomes more prosperous," President Obama said, while addressing a gathering at the Siri Fort auditorium in the national capital.
"If nations want to succeed in today's global economy, they can't ignore the talents of half their people. And has husbands and fathers and brothers we have to step up, because every girls' life matters, every daughter deserves the same chance as our sons every women should be able to go about her day, to walk the streets or ride the bus and be safe and be treated with respect and dignity," he added.
Speaking of his own experiences in the US, where the country is still working towards providing equal opportunities to women, President Obama also applauded the involvement of women in the Indian armed forces.
"In the US, we are still working to make sure that women have all the opportunities that they deserve and that they are treated equally. Here in India, it is often the wives and mothers who so often hold the family and community together. Indian women have shown that they can succeed in every field, including the government, where many of your leaders are women," he said.
"The young women here today are part of a new generation that is making your voice heard and is standing up and determining a part in India's progress. One of the favourite things on this trip has been to see Indian women in the armed forces, including the woman who commanded the guard that greeted me when I arrived. It is a sign of great strength and progress," he added.
President Obama, who was on a three-day visit of India, concludes his trip later in the day. During the trip, he became the first US president to attend the Republic Day celebrations and the first president to visit India twice while still in office.
