President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday pitched for more steps to protect women as he observed that enactment of laws was not enough.
Amid a nation-wide raging debate over a BBC documentary that showed an interview of the convict in the rape of a para-medical student in a moving bus in Delhi, the President’s message on International Women’s Day emphasised on a “fundamental re-setting of mental and moral make-up as well as social conduct” for a more protective environment for women in the country.
“The International Women’s Day is an opportunity for us to renew our commitment to the security and welfare of women. Despite numerous legislations enacted to safeguard women, there is much that still remains to be done. Legislation alone cannot emancipate our women,” the President said.
Amid the emphasis on women empowerment by the government, Mukherjee called on the nation to work towards the goal of bettering lives and prospects of the women of India. “Let us ensure that honour and respect is accorded to women at all times,” he added.
Quoting Rabindranath Tagore, Mukherjee added, “Woman is the builder and moulder of a nation’s destiny. She is the supreme inspiration for man’s onward march”.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi too had appealed for a change in the people’s mindset as a he launched flagship schemes like ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ for empowerment of women.