Both the houses of Parliament today resolved to collectively work towards gender equality and women's empowerment on the International Women's Day. The Lok Sabha Speaker, Mrs. Meira Kumar said that although much progress has been made, a great deal needs to be done to end discrimination against women.<br/><br/>Citing from the United Nations statistics, the Speaker said the girls are being denied the benefits of the inclusive growth and development. She expressed concern over the exceptionally high maternal mortality rate, female foeticide, dowry deaths, honour killing of girls and growing violence women.<br/><br/>Expressing similar sentiments, the Rajya Sabha Chairman, Mohammed Hamid Ansari said that it is the duty of every one to focus on issues of domestic violence, societal evils and illiteracy, especially from the rural background. He said that women should be protected at all costs to ensure continuous progress.<br/>