Though statistics revealed that number of girls attending schools and colleges was on the rise in the recent years, only a handful reached top positions, said Pam Rajput, Union Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development, here on Thursday.
Addressing a seminar on ‘Women empowerment – milestones and challenges’ at Vellaichamy Nadar College, Ms. Rajput said that educational institutions must ensure equality on their campus “since gender equality translated into development of a society.”
Women should aim high and work towards reaching the top echelons in their respective fields, she said.
When women development reports were tabled in national and international forums, the question of India’s low place regarding gender equality and gender gap were discussed.
The country must work towards presenting a good image on these counts, she also said.
Expressing her concern over an indifferent attitude shown towards women development at different levels, she urged girls to be assertive and take up challenges. With Madurai figuring in the Smart City Mission programme, students, particularly girls, should demand for establishing a women’s citizens charter, she added.
College president P. Mahendravel, Principal S. Alagarnathan and women’s cell coordinator J. Jeyasundari offered felicitations.
As many as 150 papers are being presented at the seminar on themes such as ‘Women as entrepreneurs’ and ‘Women in research and development.’
