Women's progress linked to country's progress: Hillary

Emphasising that the progress of women is directly linked to the progress of any country, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton today assured her support to women's development in India.     

"For me, it is absolutely undeniable that the progress of women is directly linked to the progress of any country," Clinton told reporters here.     

"I am very impressed by Indian women. I have been involved with a number of organisations that have worked in India to promote economic opportunity and greater choices in the lives of women here," she said.

The more women have rights to healthcare, education, to employment and a role in making decisions in their families and in their communities, the more quick development there will be, the former US First Lady said.     

"It is a priority of your government to create more literacy among women, more opportunities for women of India and I will do whatever I can to support and promote that development," Clinton, who arrived here late last night on her first visit as US Secretary of State, said. "I think an enormous amount of progress has been made and I am looking forward to meeting a lot of old friends when I go to the Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA) centre (in Mumbai)," Clinton said.     

The US Secretary of State later interacted with volunteers and artisans of SEWA, a non-government organisation working for the welfare of women, in South Mumbai.