Parliament greets members on Women's Day

Parliament today greeted members on the occasion of International Women's Day, with Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar noting that more needs to be done to end discrimination against women.
   
"Today is the International Women's Day, a day to celebrate and honour achievements of ordinary women in their quest for equality, justice, peace and development and highlight the needs and concerns of women on the national, regional and global agendas," Kumar said in the Lok Sabha.

Though much progress has been made in recent decades, nowhere in the world can women claim to have the same rights and opportunities as men and they still face inequity and marginalisation, she said.
   
"A great deal more needs to be done to end this discrimination," she added.
   
In Rajya Sabha, Chairman Hamid Ansari felicitated women for their persistent and consistent commitment to achieve equality in all spheres.

He listed domestic violence, illiteracy, health and malnutrition among the challenges facing women today.
   
"Women have to be included in decision making process," he said amid thumping of desks by members.
   
"Women's rights have to be protected at all cost," Ansari said.