Amid rising cases of crimes against women, President Droupadi Murmu on Monday said that it is "unfortunate" that insecurity exists among women in our country despite strict laws.
In her remarks at News18's 'SheShakti 2024' event, Murmu said that women in India constantly struggle against the "social narrow-mindedness" and "conservatism" that consider them weak.
She said that despite changes in this thinking, some social prejudices still remain deeply rooted which create barriers to women's equality.
"As a society, we all need to look within ourselves and ask some hard questions. Where have we gone wrong? What can we do to improve? The safety and dignity of women are crucial for the development and success of any nation," she said.
Her remarks come in the wake of the gruesome rape and murder of a young woman doctor in Kolkata. The incident sparked nationwide outrage and debates around the safety of women in the country.
Murmu said that as a society, we must all come together to "protect the honor and dignity of the women" in our country and ensure their progress.
"The time has come for us to awaken a public consciousness where respect for women is increased, and no woman feels unsafe at any time, in any place," she said.
In her remarks, Murmu also spoke about how India's centuries-old culture has always revered women and held them in the highest respect.
"In our diverse nation, our goddesses have also assumed many forms. On one hand, they take on fierce forms like Kali and Durga to vanquish demons, while on the other, they bless us as Lakshmi and Saraswati, providing peace, prosperity, and knowledge. Women are considered the embodiment of power in our country," she said.
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