We have vast improvements to make in areas concerning women's safety: PM Manmohan Singh

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday said major improvements need to be made to ensure the safety and security of women and children in the aftermath of a brutal rape of a five-year-old child in the Capital.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday said major improvements need to be made to ensure the safety and security of women and children in the aftermath of a brutal rape of a five-year-old child in the Capital.

“It is widely accepted that as a country, we have vast improvements to make in these (safety, security and status of women) areas,” Singh said in his inaugural address at the Civil Services Day celebrations.

“These issues came into sharper focus after the horrific gang-rape incident in Delhi last December. The gruesome assault on a little girl a few days ago reminds us once again of the need to work collectively to root out this sort of depravity from our society,” he added.

He advised the police to exercise restraint in dealing with people protesting against such incidents: “The agitations that have followed the two incidents also point to the need for showing concern and sensitivity while dealing with public anxiety that such incidents generate.”

He said his government responded swiftly to frame stronger anti-rape laws.