New Delhi, Sept. 30 -- Amid continuing concerns over women's safety in the national capital, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday said girls cannot be expected to sacrifice their freedom in the name of security, stressing that men and boys must instead be taught appropriate behaviour, respect and responsibility.
Addressing students at Maitreyi College during its Diamond Jubilee celebrations, Gupta said women should be free to pursue their education, careers and aspirations without being subjected to restrictions on their movement or choices. "Why is everything meant only for girls? So many restrictions, so much prudence expected, so many boundaries," Gupta said.
The Chief Minister said safety measures should focus on creating a secure environment rather than placing additional conditions on women. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks about advising boys as well as girls, she said men must understand boundaries and consent while interacting with women. "Boys must also be taught about respect, responsibility, behaviour and consent. A 'no' means 'no', and respecting it is everyone's responsibility," she said.
Gupta said there would be no compromise on women's safety in Delhi and called for coordinated action by the police, administration, educational institutions and society.
"There is no compromise on this in Delhi. It is not solely the girls' responsibility to take care of everything. Everyone has to do their part," she said.
The Chief Minister said the government was strengthening security infrastructure across the city, including the installation of 50,000 CCTV cameras and one lakh streetlights. She said such measures were aimed at making public spaces safer and allowing women to move around without fear.
Gupta also urged women to prioritise their own aspirations instead of allowing family and social responsibilities to overshadow their individual goals.
"Women do everything for everyone, but they must also learn to live for themselves," she said, asking students to choose their careers, set goals and pursue their ambitions with confidence.
She further said that when women raise their voices against inappropriate behaviour or injustice, their complaints should be heard rather than silenced. Families, institutions, police and the administration, she said, must ensure that women can speak without fear and receive appropriate support.
"Women's safety should not mean restricting their freedom. We have to create a society where our daughters can move forward without fear," Gupta said.
During the programme, Gupta also called for better infrastructure at Maitreyi College, including a modern auditorium for academic, cultural and creative activities.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.