Prez to inaugurate conference on women scientists

New Delhi, Mar 8: President Pratibha Patil will inaugurate a two-day national conference on the contribution of women scientists in modern life on the International Women's Day (IWD), which is being celebrated today. Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi will be presenting the Stree Shakti Puraskar and Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee will inaugurate an exhibition on Food and Nutritional Awareness at the India Gate here.

The Ministry of Women and Child Development has organised several programmes to mark the day. IWD is an occasion marked by women's groups around the world. With growing literacy and financial independence, women feel more empowered today to assert their right to a life of dignity and self worth. Several initiatives taken by the Government like girl education and reservation of seats in local panchayats have contributed immensely to empowering the woman. However to ensure equality to womenfolk, both in the public and the private domain, much more still needs to be done.

When women on all continents, often divided by national boundaries come together to celebrate their Day, they can look back at a tradition that represents at least nine decades of struggle for equality, justice, peace and development.

IWD is the story of ordinary women making history. It is rooted in the centuries-old struggle of women desiring to participate in society on an equal footing with men.

ANI