Delhi Gangrape: Prime Minister promises to empower women

New Delhi, April 16: Remembering the tragic episode of brutal Delhi gang-rape and murder of a 23-year-old paramedical student in the national capital on December 16, 2012,

in New Delhi on Monday, April 15 promised to empower women.

Prime Minister assured that death of the young woman won't go in vain.

Manmohan Singh said empowerment of women is the need of the hour.

Prime Minister promised that government will continue to make all possible efforts to empower women socially and economically.

"Her courage and her zest for life will always serve as an inspiration to us. We should all pay tribute to her by resolving that we will not let the loss of her life go in vain and will work together to enhance the safety and security of women in our country," added Prime Minister.

Manmohan Singh praised the work of the Justice J S Verma Committee, which recommended changes in criminal law to be able to deal more effectively with heinous crimes against women.

"This brings me to the splendid work done by Justice JS Verma, Gopal Subramaniam and Justice Leila Seth in the committee that the Government had set up to recommend changes in criminal law to be able to deal more effectively with heinous offences against our women. It was one of the rare occasions when a committee constituted by the Government was able to finish its work ahead of time."

"The labour of love of these three great legal luminaries has made it possible for the Government to make our statutes stronger and more effective as far as crimes against women are concerned. As I have said on an earlier occasion as well, there is a great deal more that needs to be done not only for making women safer and more secure in our country, but also for empowering them socially and economically. Our Government will continue to make all possible efforts in this direction," he added.

The infamous Delhi gang-rape victim died in a Singapore hospital after fighting for her life for13 days. The incident shocked the whole nation, as citizens across the country came out on the streets to protest against crime against women.

Initially, five accused in the case were facing trial for allegedly gang-raping and assaulting the woman, who died in a Singapore hospital on December 29.

With the proceedings against the main accused Ram Singh having abated after his death on March 11, the remaining four adult accused - Mukesh, Vinay, Akshay Singh and Pawan - are facing trial in the case for rape and murder of the woman.

The sixth accused in the case is a juvenile who is facing trial before the Juvenile Justice Board in Delhi.

OneIndia News