Sharma advocates society support for women empowerment

Women empowerment is crucial but it can be achieved only through the strong support of the society and not by any financial support like Nirbahya fund or anything else, Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma today said.
"Nirbhaya Fund is not required for the women empowerment. Narishakti, matrushakti are very essential. But empowering women cannot be done with any fund or government," Sharma said at an international seminar here.
The seminar was on the Indus-Sarsvati civilisation organised by Draupadi Trust.
There was a demand by the organiser for funds from Culture Ministry for women empowerment.
Responding to the demand, Sharma said "it (women's empowerment) can be done the day society decides to do it."

He further said "It is our job, society's job to see that woman, who is a mother, sister, wife and also daughter, is empowered. It is possible by us. But the question is how to do it," he said.

Referring to the glorious past of Indian women like Rani Lakshmibai, he asked "Can we expect our mother, sister, daughter and wife to be weak?"
"They (women) are almost 50 per cent in our society and deserve to go ahead together with men. Do they need Nirbhaya Fund to be stronger?"
He said India has rich culture and heritage and we have to preserve it.