Respect for women essential for India’s progress: PM Narendra Modi

• PM Narendra Modi made a strong case for gender equality, starting with the family as the foundation for creating "unity and solidarity" in the society.
• In the next 25 years, women will play a significantly larger role in public life, according to Prime Minister Modi, who also noted that their potential is incalculable
• Physical violence is more prevalent among women in rural areas (32%) than it is among those in urban areas (24%).

In this Independence Day speech this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a strong case for gender equality, starting with the family as the foundation for creating "unity and solidarity" in the society. He emphasised that respect for women was essential to the nation's transition and it was crucial to extend support to the country's "Nari shakti" to ensure swift progress.
As India moves forward to join the club of developed nations, he stressed about the significance of women's empowerment. A visibly upset PM attacked the ingrained patriarchal prejudices in language and behaviour toward women.

PM on ‘Gender Equality’

The prime minister attacked the patriarchal mentality, expressing his pain and distress over the use of derogatory language against women, and he pleaded with everyone to commit to ensuring that women are respected and not humiliated.
"What I wish to share is that it hurts me to say that we have witnessed a perversion in our day-to-day speaking behaviour. We have been casually using language and words that are insulting to women," he said.
"Can we not pledge to get rid of everything in our behaviour, culture and everyday life that humiliates and demeans women? " the prime minister asked.
In the next 25 years, women will play a significantly larger role in public life, according to Prime Minister Modi, who also noted that their potential was incalculable. If we focus more on this and give our daughters more opportunities and resources, they will give us much more in return, the Prime Minister added.

Abuse against women in India

According to the National Family Health Survey-5 report, almost one-third of women in India have been victims of physical or sexual abuse. The Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya stated that while domestic violence against women had decreased nationwide from 31.2% to 29.3%, about 30% of women between the ages of 18 and 49 have experienced physical violence since the age of 15, and 6% have experienced sexual violence.
Physical violence is more prevalent among women in rural areas (32%) than among those in urban areas (24%), and the likelihood that a woman will experience violence decreases sharply with higher levels of education and wealth, both for the female victim and the male perpetrator.