More women should hold key positions at work: Sitharaman

Says only laws alone cannot provide safety to women but conviction to curb violence against them is the need of the hour

Union Minister of State for Commerce Nirmala Sitharaman said here today that women have to occupy key positions in all walks of life in a large number in order to bring change in their status.

Addressing a gathering on the inaugural day of the two-day seminar on "Safety of women, violence and solutions" organised by Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarathi Parishad (ABVP), Sitharaman said that more women should hold key positions at the helm of affairs in corporate and public service sectors and for that they need to be well-qualified and educated.

Citing an example, she said that Ministry of Corporate Affairs, of which she is MoS, is unable to find suitable women candidate for post of independent directors due to lack of qualified women.

Only laws alone cannot provide safety to women but conviction to curb violence against them is the need of the hour, she said, adding that more fast track courts to deal with crimes related to women should be set up.

"Perspective of the society towards girl child and women should also change and parents should treat both son and daughter equally," she added.

MP Gokaraju Ganga Raju and other local leaders were present at the inaugural ceremony while over 450 girl students from across the state attended the seminar.