President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday said that the idea of women-led-development can be implemented only when the women get the freedom to make their choices.
Interacting with the members of Self Help Groups at Baljek airport in Meghalaya’s West Garo Hills district, Murmu said that the empowerment of women in social, economic, political and spiritual spheres is essential for the country to realise its vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
“Economic self-reliance brings a greater self-confidence in women,” she opined.
The President underlined that India’s women are making a mark and paving way for other women
in every field whether it is defence, science and technology, sports, education, entrepreneurship, agriculture, or any other field.
“They (women) just need some words and small actions of encouragement, a pat on the back,” she said.
Stating that the Central Government is making every possible effort to ensure that women contribute actively and in large numbers in the socio-economic development of the country, the President said several steps have been taken to improve women’s participation in the work-force.
“The Government has not only taken several steps for the social and economic development of women, but has also taken major steps towards ensuring their political participation. However,
there is still a long way to go in the direction of women empowerment,” she said.
Exhorting people to start recognizing the value and qualities of the women around them and support them, the President also urged the members of SHGs to keep moving ahead and also hold the hands of other women to take them forward.
“This is not their journey alone but that of a large number of women in our country who are yet to explore the opportunities that lay beyond the four walls of their homes. They must become an inspiration for other women of their region and the nation,” Murmu added.
