Voicing her shock and pain over unabated incidents of abuse and molestation of women, Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday made a strong plea for a change in the mindset to ensure a safe environment for them.
Laying the foundation stone for a girls’ hostel on Jamia Millia Islamia University campus, Ms. Gandhi said that the change will come from our homes, schools and universities. “We have been shocked by the violence that girls and women encounter on the streets and even in their homes. Of course, this is not universal, but it is widespread. And it pains me that as a society, we have failed to counter it and create a secure environment where girls and women can live and flourish without constantly having to live in fear of abuse and molestation,” she added.
While the Government, Parliament and institutions like the police have to discharge their role, society at large also need to change its mindset, the UPA chairperson said. “And we must all become all the more proactive. There can be no better points for this change than within our own families, our schools and universities,” she said.
She said that a women’s hostel will also create a greater sense of security for female students and lauded the institution for empowering women and helping them in fulfilling their dreams so that they can find a “productive, secure and self-confident place” in society. Striking an instant rapport with the students, Ms. Gandhi said in a lighter vein that she was delighted to be there for another reason that “I can bunk my classes” besides getting an opportunity to be with them.
