Urging for a social revolution to check crime against women, ensure gender equality and women empowerment, UPA Chairperson and Congress President Sonia Gandhi has called for stringent implementation of laws at the ground level to ensure safety and security of women. Mrs. Gandhi said, making laws and policies is not enough and proper and effective implementation of the laws and schemes for females at grass root level is required to curb each and every case of crime against women. Mrs Gandhi said this while, launching the ‘Ahimsa Messenger’ Programme of the Ministry of Women and Child Development in New Delhi today.

She said, there is a need to bring a change in the mindset of the people to reduce crime against women. Mrs. Gandhi said, UPA is taking several steps to empower women. Mrs. Gandhi said, every right a male child enjoys in a family should be given to the girl child too. She said, the UPA government is taking all steps to empower women.

The UPA Chairperson added that the Food Security Bill, which was recently passed by the Lok Sabha, has special provisions for lactating and pregnant women.

AIR correspondent reports, “Ahimsa Messenger” programme is aimed at preventing violence against women and children and generating awareness about basic legal rights, procedures and provisions for welfare of women and children. The program engages both men and women including youths to address and eliminate all forms of violence against women and children and facilitate community mobilization to fight social evils.

Ahimsa Messengers would also serve as link workers in the event of any violence. They would assist the women to approach concerned authorities for suitable redressal.