"If we want to make the world free of violence against women, it's time we start raising our sons like daughters and our daughters like we raise over sons," Steinem said at a session at the Jaipur Literature Festival here.
The nearly 80-year-old author, was in the forefront of the women's liberation movement in the 1960s and 1970s and has since then campaigned for a variety of causes. She voiced her support for abortion rights and equal rights for women as well as denounced others like human trafficking.
Denouncing the "dominating nature of males" existing worldwide, she said, "The problem starts with the men, because the dominating nature of males is something which exists everywhere and is the root of all crimes against women."
"Why have campaigns? Why have feminists? Why do we need streets safe for women, why can't we have a situation when we will need streets safe from women," Steinem said.
The author also launched a scathing attack on the mindset of men.
