President Patil Says Generation of Social Awareness and Public Education Very Important for Access to Justice for Women

Rashtrapati Bhavan : 25.11.2007

The President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil has said that generation of social awareness and public education is very important for access to justice for women. The President was speaking while delivering the inaugural address at the National Conference on Access to Justice for Women in New Delhi today. Today was also the International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Smt. Patil said the subject of discussions at the Conference were very close to her heart and are also are important for national development. She added that it must not be forgotten that during the Independence struggle women also participated as equal partners under Mahatma Gandhi's leadership. Today, we need to follow the example of Mahatma Gandhi to mobilize the entire nation on issues related to the development of women, she emphasised.

The President appreciated the role of NGOs in fighting against various social evils and practices and urged that their organizations can be further strengthened. A movement should be created with the sprit to develop society. The movement should also help in percolating the benefits of development, she said. Smt. Patil emphasised that the sprit of service is very important for large scale mass awakening. Colleges and schools should impart education in such a way that it inspires the younger generation, so that the energy of the youth could be properly mobilized.

The President also stressed on the role of women in creating social awareness and hoped that women would come forward to launch a large-scale civil movement. They should come forward to enhance their status and fight against all inequalities and stand for not only promoting national causes but also international causes for sake of global peace and prosperity. Smt. Patil quoted the poem "All the Rivers" in this context. A part of the poem is:-

" If all the trees were one tree, what a great tree it would be;

If all rivers were one river, what a great river it would be; ..."

She said that she has always felt that if all the women in the world speak in one voice, what a great voice it will be, to bring peace, prosperity and happiness in the world.

Other speakers at the inaugural session today were, Smt. Krishna Tirath, Chairperson, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Empowerment of Women and Member of Parliament, Smt. Sreerupa Mitra Chaudhury, Chairperson, Institute for Gender Justice and National Advisor, National Legal Services Authority, Kum. Nirmala Deshpande, Member of Parliament, Shri Mohan Dharia, Former Deputy Chairperson, Planning Commission, Dr. V. Mohini Giri and Smt. Amita Singh.

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