Educational and economic empowerment is important for women empowerment – VP

The Vice President of India M Venkaiah Naidu emphasised that educational and economic empowerment is important for women empowerment. Speaking at the inaugural of iWIN (International Women Network) - on the occasion of Women’s Day in Hyderabad yesterday, the Vice President said that no country could make progress if women were denied equal opportunities and were made to lag behind.

Describing education as the key to economic, political or social empowerment of women, Naidu said that it was the duty of each one of us to see that no girl was left out of school. He opined that an educated woman would possess skills, self-confidence and could become a better parent. “She would also provide better nutrition and hence ensure that her children are healthy,” he added.

In this aspect, the Vice President expressed happiness over tremendous impact made by ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padao’ in increasing the Gross Enrolment Ratio of girls across all levels.

Calling for a change in mindset, the Vice President said that there was an urgent need to make boys respect girls from a young age. He said that women were always given a respectable place in Indian culture and traditions and we need to go back to our roots.

Stating that life always needs women, Shri Naidu in his trademark style, said-

“First it is Vidya (education), then Lakshmi (wealth) and finally it is Shakti and Shanti  (peace)”

He further opined that the gentle most and life-giving elements in nature are identified as women. “Rivers in our country are named after women. From Usha (dawn) to Sandhya (dusk) we are at work seeking Annapurna (food)”, he added.

Describing spiritual symbols, the Vice President stated, whether we chant the Gayatri (mantra) or read the Gita (epic), or we do Vandana , Puja or Aarti with Shraddha towards God to pray, we are still with women.

Maintaining that the greatest human values are feminine, Shri Naidu said, “when we grow older we want Karuna (compassion) or Mamta (love). From those who are angry with us we want Kshama (forgiveness).”

“It is a woman’s world”, he said.

Stressing the need for a special emphasis on education and empowerment of rural women, the Vice President said that promoting literacy among rural women and nurturing the spirit of entrepreneurship among them would pave the way for their economic empowerment.