Protecting women’'s dignity a collective responsibility: President

New Delhi, March 7: Women’s right to equal opportunities and a dignified life must be respected, President Prab Mukherjee said on Monday on the eve of Intertiol Women’s Day.

“On the occasion of Intertiol Women’s Day, I extend warm greetings and good wishes to the women of India and thank them for their contributions over the years in the building of our tion,” the president said in a statement.

“Women have always been given the highest level of respect in our country. Their protection and safety is a sacred duty of society as a whole. We must respect the right of women to equal opportunities and a dignified life,” he added.

Mukherjee said it was a collective responsibility of all the Indians to “create an ecosystem that ensures the safety, security and dignity of women in society”. “On Intertiol Women’s Day, let us redouble our efforts for achieving gender equity and empowerment of women. Let us strive to eble our women realize their full potential and participate meaningfully in all aspects of our country’s development,” the president said. Intertiol Women’s Day is celebrated every year on March 8.(IANS)