Important to change mindset to bring women equality in society, says Sonia Gandhi in Russia

Former Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Friday stressing the role of women in Indian society said that women in India continue to be the "casualties of paternalistic traditions" and still suffer the brunt of discrimination and gender inequality.

According to her, the Congress party is always striving to fight these forces and demanded a "change in mindset".

The Congress party as she said had advocated the rights of women and cared for a strong commitment towards empowering and also entrusted to introducing reservations for women in one-third of the seats in Parliament.

Gandhi said this while addressing a gathering at the 2nd Eurasian Women's Forum at St. Petersburg in Russia.

She, in addition, said, "It is striking that as of last year, only two nations in the world had a representation of 50 per cent (or more) women members in parliament, in any House. Less than 25 per cent of national parliamentarians across the world are women. Even less is the proportion of women serving as ministers in a government."

She stated, “Less than 25% of national parliamentarians across the world are women. Even less is the proportion of women serving as ministers in a government. We must work to create a climate where women are given an equal share in the workplace and in public office."

She added in her address that women still suffer the brunt of discrimination and gender inequality, even violence. While woman in India strives to work against these forces in India, she was struck by how common were the challenges that women across the world face today in impediments to a life of dignity and equality.

She noted that woman will play the vital role in the future of humanity which is recognised in the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development the integral role that women will play in the future of humanity is well. "We all understand that these goals will only be attained if we ensure the full participation, and even leadership of women," she added.

She again pronounced: "We must also pay tribute to women elsewhere who were in the political frontline of earlier battles, to the powerful ideas unleashed by women's movements that have changed society's outlook across the world."

As stated by her we must recognise that, as women who have been able to exercise political authority and privilege, have also a moral obligation and duty to ensure that women can help give voice to women across the world, who have been kept silent so far.

Sonia Gandhi went on to say, "We must also recognise that the majority of women continue to remain victims of oppression, violence, and discrimination. All too often, inequality has been imposed on women in the name of 'tradition' within the family and community. That needs to change. We cannot accept recurring mistreatment, as a way of life."

She finally gave importance to create a climate where women are given an equal position in the workplace and in public office.

The former Congress president Sonia Gandhi stepped down from her president post in December 2017, but continues to lead the party's Parliamentary committee.