President Droupadi Murmu Advocates for Women's Empowerment on International Women's Day
Celebrating Women's Strength and Achievements
New Delhi, Mar 8: On Sunday, President Droupadi Murmu praised the resilience and accomplishments of women, encouraging them to unlock their full potential, emphasizing that 'women are not lesser beings.'
During an event hosted by the Ministry of Women and Child Development in New Delhi to commemorate International Women’s Day, the President remarked that this day serves not only to honor women's successes but also to reaffirm the nation's dedication to their empowerment.
Murmu pointed out the expanding roles of women in various fields such as education, administration, judiciary, armed forces, healthcare, science, technology, arts, entrepreneurship, and sports. She acknowledged that rural women are achieving economic independence through self-help groups and are taking on leadership roles in village development, while women are increasingly stepping into leadership positions in employment, startups, and the corporate world.
“With the right opportunities and support, women can thrive in every domain,” she stated, adding, “Mahilao mei dam hai, hum kisi se kam nahi. Hum mei bhi dam hai (Women are powerful, we are no less than others. We too have strength).”
The President emphasized that despite significant progress, numerous challenges remain in ensuring equal participation of women in society.
"These issues cannot be addressed solely through legislation. A shift in mindset is essential," she remarked.
Murmu encouraged families to promote equality at home, urging parents to avoid discrimination between sons and daughters.
She also called for treating daughters-in-law with the same respect afforded to daughters, asserting that true equality starts with recognizing every woman as a daughter, regardless of her familial role.
"True equality begins with recognizing every woman as a daughter, irrespective of her role in the family," she reiterated.
She commended the ministry for organizing the ‘Shakti Walk – SheLeadsBharat’, which took place from India Gate to Vijay Chowk, and praised the commitment of women from across the nation who participated in the event.
Quoting B. R. Ambedkar, Murmu stated, “I measure the progress of a community by the degree of progress women have achieved.”
The President also highlighted various government initiatives aimed at empowering women, including Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, and Mission Shakti. She noted the growing involvement of women in STEM education, entrepreneurship, and initiatives like Startup India and Skill India.
Murmu concluded by urging citizens to ensure education, respect, and opportunities for every girl child while prioritizing women's safety and dignity. She stated that collective efforts to eradicate discrimination would enable India to present an exemplary model of women's empowerment to the world.