The ruling party at the centre is thumping its chest with massive publicity campaigns that they are empowering women in India by reserving 33% seats for women in Parliament. However the former Union Territory of Goa Daman and Diu had the distinction of having a woman Chief Minister Shashikala Kakodkar from the year 1973 to 1977. Similarly our marvelous nation has had the distinction of having a firebrand woman Prime Minister Indira Gandhi from 1966 to 1977 and from 1980 to 1984. Thus empowerment of women has taken place in our country decades ago and the cosmetic publicity driven campaigns have no value at present if one does not control female foeticide by controlling abortions of girl child through constant monitoring of abortion clinics and scan centres under the PNDT Act. Rapists from among ruling party elected members and their close relatives must be punished. Only these stringent measures will bring about true empowerment of women.
