The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, urges people to build a strong and healthy society with women’s empowerment. Speaking at the Foundation Day Celebration of the National Commission for Women in New Delhi today (January 31, 2023), the President said, “Together, we have to work towards creating an environment where all women can participate and contribute significantly in the socioeconomic, cultural and political spheres,” the President said. She added that Women’s empowerment is not just an issue of social justice but also crucial for economic development. The low participation of women in the workforce is a major hindrance to our country’s overall development. India is the fifth largest economy in the world and now moving towards becoming a five trillion dollar economy. A more active role of women would help achieve this goal. Speaking about gender discrimination, the President said that even today, the situation of gender-ratio in many parts of the country is worrying. Sad examples of female foeticide are also seen in well-educated parts of the country. She emphasized that it is not only the government’s responsibility but of the whole society to change this situation. She said that while ensuring gender justice, we must make our development equitable. Our development would be called development in the true sense only when the status of women is equal to that of men.

The President asked why there was a need to create a separate commission for women only. The answer is that our sisters and daughters are flying into space, giving leadership in the armed forces. On the other hand, they are becoming victims of domestic violence and facing discrimination and harassment in the workplace. The President noted that the mission of the National Commission for Women is to address the specific problems arising from discrimination and atrocities against women and to strive for women’s empowerment. She said that the need to create a separate commission for half of the country’s population shows that women are yet to get their due respect and rights. She stressed that only by improving the status of women would the country be able to make overall progress. The President noted that the National Commission for Women is committed to gender equality and empowerment through continuous efforts. She urged all women to move forward with determination by overcoming all obstacles. She also urged them to be aware of their rights and make others aware. The President received the first copy of the book ‘Sashakt Nari, Sashakt Bharat’ – the National Commission for Women’s Journey book from Smt Smriti Zubin Irani, Union Minister for Women and Child Development.