Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated on Saturday his government’s commitment to bring a law on triple talaq to ensure that rights of women are protected.
He was addressing the valedictory session of the two-day national convention of BJP women’s wing in Gandhinagar.
“We have made efforts to ensure that women from all walks of life get security and freedom. Despite strong protests from extremists and Opposition parties, the government is committed to bringing a law on triple talaq,” he said.
“Earlier, there was a provision that a single woman cannot go to Haj pilgrimage and she has to be accompanied by a male. Our government has removed that provision because it was discriminatory,” the Prime Minister said. He listed several steps his administration had taken to end the discrimination women faced in day-to-day life.
Mr. Modi also talked about measures and initiatives his government had taken for women’s empowerment, safety and freedom. Owing to his government’s efforts, a strong Act had been enacted to award death sentence to those accused of rape.
“We have given priority to women in the financial inclusion programme, under which more than 50% of Jan Dhan bank accounts have been opened in the name of women.”
He said cooking gas connections would be given to poor families in rural areas. Another flagship scheme of his government, building toilets in rural areas, had been lauded across the world.
“Today in the Central government, there are two women members in the prestigious and crucial Cabinet Committee on Security. This has happened for the first time,” he said. He also mentioned Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
