Lucknow, December 09: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday exhorted women to step out and take active part in politics saying their participation was important for the country.
“You (women) are 50 per cent of the country’s population, therefore, you should take part in active politics. Step out and get involved in the politics as it is not only important for you, but for the country as a whole,” Rahul said during an interaction with young women in Lucknow.
“The country needs a society which is not male dominated, other states have done so and it should be done in Uttar Pradesh as well,” he added.
“Name five women, who are below 35 years and whom you can call national leaders,” he asked.
He said that “it was an irony that though the country has 50 per cent population of the fairer sex, but people cannot name five women as national leaders”.
“If women want to do something, they cannot be stopped, but there are two reasons behind lack of their participation,” he said.
Citing the reasons, the Congress leader said that first the country’s political system was difficult for women.
“Secondly, if a woman wants to enter the politics, this system is closed for them,” he said.
—Agencies