From Barun Jha Davos, Jan 24 (PTI) The incident of the brutal gangrape of a 23-year-old girl in New Delhi echoed here among the global leaders with IMF chief Christine Lagarde dedicating the "moment" to the victim during her speech at the World Economic Forum. Later, Union Minister Anand Sharma, part of the Indian delegation to the WEF, justified people taking to streets in India in the aftermath of the horrific incident saying these protests were part of democracy. Lagard also remembered the young Pakistani victim Malala Yousafzai and said, "I dedicate the moment (of addressing WEF annual meet) to Malala, daughter of Pakistan, and another daughter in India (rape case)". In her speech last evening, the International Monetary Fund Managing Director emphasised that the expectations of Indian women must be met. She also rued that policymakers worldwide had failed to pay attention to the crucial issues of equitable distribution and gender equality. "... But you will ask what it has to do with economy. It is indeed about economy and equality and bringing in prosperity. No policymakers have paid enough (attention) to the fact that more equal distribution of income would help in supporting women better. The fact is when women do better the country does better and policymakers need to understand this," Lagarde said. In an incident that made news worldwide, the Delhi girl was gangraped in a moving bus in the Indian capital last month and later she died at a hospital in Singapore where she was taken for the treatment. In October last year, Pakistani teenage activist Malala was shot at by Taliban for campaigning for girls' education and had to be flown to the UK for medical treatment. "Just look at some recent examples—from the yearnings on the Arab Street for greater dignity and opportunity, to the brave cry of young women for education and equality, and to the heartfelt urge of Indian women for greater respect and justice. These demands must be met," Lagarde said. Today, Commerce and Industry Minister Sharma justified the protests that took place following the gangrape. "We not only have an aspirational society, but it is young and assertive society. The problem will be people not coming out on street when there has been a gruesome rape, it is part of the society and democracy," he said while participating at a WEF session. PTI BJ RAM SAP PYK PYK
