New Delhi, September 08: Noting that low female literacy was impeding growth, Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh on Tuesday launched a major initiative in the education sector saying all steps to empower women socially, economically and politically would be taken by the government.
Launching the Saakshar Bharat Mission here, Singh also announced that a National Mission for the empowerment of women would be set up soon.
While the Cabinet has already decided to amend the Constitution to provide 50 per cent reservation to women in panchayats and local bodies, the Self Help Group movement would be “expanded by restructuring and revitalising the Rashtriya Mahila Kosh”, he said.
Observing that about half of Indian women were still not able to read or write, Singh said “a National Mission for the empowerment of women is being set up.
–PTI