JOIN USAddressing the gathering at the Children’s Day celebrations organised by the Department of Women and Child Development, Bhardwaj said though girls academically outdo boys, India hasn’t achieved much due to gender bias and “narrow-mindedness”.
The United States and Pakistan have set an example by appointing women at the helm of affairs, he said, referring to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Foreign Affairs Minister Hira Rabbani Khar.
He said: “It is heartening to see a large number of girls receiving awards today. Karnataka is also known for its girl students excelling in academics. However, it is still not clear as to how much this has helped in reducing the gender gap.”
Condemning opposition for the proposed law on women’s reservation, Bhardwaj said women should be given 50 per cent reservation in all streams.
“A few years ago, when we wanted to pass the legislation on ancestral property for women, there was much resistance. If the women don’t contribute in equal numbers, then there will be no progress,” he added.