Society should protect women: Sheila Dikshit

Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today said the society should safegaurd the freedom and dignity of women.

"It is the society which should take care of the freedom and dignity of women. Women are still considered as second rate citizens.

"Women do not need more laws for their safety, but a sense of deterrence in the society needs to be instilled against women related crimes," Dikshit said in a national seminar organised by National Commission for Women today in memory of the December 16 gang-rape victim.

Union minister Girija Vyas in her address said that although state has made strict laws to punish the perpetrators, incidents of assault and harassment still continue.

"No women and girl is safe here. It is necessary to spread public awareness, ensure proper execution of law, constructive role of media, active participation of civil society and gender budgeting to tackle this problem," she said.

Advocate Kirti Singh exhorted to bring the marital rape under the preview of other acts on rape and called upon building the character of a person at the school level through religion and good literature.

Chairperson of NCW, Mamta Sharma also stressed on the need for change in the mind-set of the people towards women and girls.

"There is lack of spirit to implement the law and police personnel and other agencies dealing with it should also be sensitised," she said.

Representatives from various State Commissions of women and child Departments and NGO's also participated in the national seminar on "Safe Public Spaces for Women and Girls."