'Insecure' women a cause for worry, says Prez Ram Nath Kovind

President Ramnath Kovind said on Saturday that women around the country continue to feel insecure, and that is a reason for worry for the government and for the society at large. The President was speaking after felicitating the achievements of over 100 women, identified by the ministry of women and child development, at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

"Because of efforts of the Panchayati Raj ministry, more than 10 lakh women are part of governance while more women continue to take part. But we also know that due to patriarchy, women continue to be abused at homes. In streets, shops, homes or offices, women do not feel secure. This is a reason for worry. And to remove this worry is the job of the government and the society in general," said the President.

The President felicitated the women as 'First Ladies', which included Bachendri Pal, the first woman to climb Mt Everest; Radhika Menon, India's first female captain of the merchant navy; Mamta Devi, the nation's first competitive female body-builder; and Tessy Thomas, the first woman scientist in the country to head a missile project.

While giving out the awards, Minister of Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi said that women can do anything in any avenue, by bringing about a positive change in the society. She also mentioned a miracle in an increased sex ratio after the launch of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao programme, a programme for which she credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi.