Domestic violence on women in North Indian states is very high: Melinda Gates

Mexico City, Oct 21: Crime against women in India have risen at such a level, that they have also caught the attention of noted celebrities worldwide.

Melinda Gates, the wife of Microsoft Chairman and CEO Bill Gates, described the rising crimes against women in India as a 'horrific situation", in an exclusive interview to the TOI.

She was startled by the fact that even toddlers get raped in India.

"India immediately needs to conduct a national-level survey to gauge the actual burden of violence on women, even in their households", 51-year-old Melinda was quoted as saying on the sidelines of the Global Maternal New born Health conference in Mexico.

"India needs to start collecting real time data about how much violence is going on in the household", she suggested.

While focusing on women empowerment, Melinda said that it is finally happening in India now.

According to the recent surveys conducted by her foundation, it was revealed that domestic violence on women in North Indian states is very high and extremely common, even inside their homes.

In 2000, Melinda Gates, along with her billionaire husband Bill Gates, founded the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. It works in areas such as poverty, health and education.

In developing countries, the Foundation focuses on improving people's health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty.

OneIndia News