India may be a trillion dollar economy, but the majority of women in the country continue to suffer discrimination even among developed States and among the middle classes, Additional Director General of Police Archana Ramasundaram said on International Women's Day.
Speaking at the Madras Management Association's annual Women Managers' Convention, she said the police come across cases of domestic violence in the homes of educated middle-class women everyday, but they remained hidden because of family prestige concerns.
She also highlighted an increasing number of trafficking networks bringing girls from northeastern and southern States into Haryana for the purposes of child marriage.
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“We need to get to a point where we don't need laws to protect ourselves,” Minister of Information Technology Poongothai Aladi Aruna said at the inaugural function. She highlighted the importance of educating men to accept the changing roles and achievements of women that have resulted from a vibrant knowledge economy.
A survey of more than 450 women conducted by MMA and Cerebrus Consultants in Chennai has shown that the professional aspirations of women here are high but their family priorities mean they are unable or unwilling to work long hours, dedicate time for professional development or travel extensively.
The conference aimed to examine and address the challenges ahead for women. Several speakers highlighted the responsibility a woman must take on for her own personal and professional development.
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