Education is the key to empowerment of women and the quality of education imparted to them and their access to it should be ensured, Alva said after receiving the Mercy Ravi woman of substance award from Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy here yesterday.
"We have to create the right environment in which changes become acceptable. Women should be made aware of laws through grass roots level campaign," she said.
Rural women were emerging as the new "Indian women" as they have started demanding their rights, she said, adding, they were rejecting long held prejudices and customs.
The award has been instituted in memory of Mercy Ravi, wife of Vayalar Ravi.
Chandy said Mercy Ravi always stood with the people and for their rights.
Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi, KPCC President, Ramesh chennithala, were among those who spoke on the occasion.
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit received the first Mercy Ravi award last year.
