Mangaluru : District In-charge Minister B Ramanath Rai said women must get education to be empowered and to create an exploitation-free society.

He was speaking after inaugurating a programme organised to mark the International Women’s Day by the zilla panchayat and the Women and Child Development Department, in association with several other organisations, at the Zilla Panchayat Hall in the city on Tuesday.

He said exploitation of women has not stopped despite their empowerment. Women should be educated to stop atrocities committed against them, he added.

The minister said there is an opinion that only a few women have achieved higher positions in politics. But they have achieved great things. Women’s Reservation Bill is subject to discussion in the Legislative Assembly and the Lok Sabha, he stated and hoped that it will be passed soon.

Women and Child Development Department Deputy Director Sundar Poojary said the birth rate of girl child is decreasing though the men and women ratio in the district is 1000:1020.

The district administration has formed a committee in this regard. Steps are being taken to prevent female foeticide, he added.

Best anganwadi workers’ award was presented to Aruna from Puttur and Anupa Kumari from Belthangady.

Best citizen awards were given away to Women and Child Development Department Supervisor and Swacch Bharat Nodal Officer Manjula.

Best Stree Shakti groups in the district were also felicitated on the occasion.

MLC Ivan D’Souza, MLA B A Mohiyuddin Bava, Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim and ZP CEO P I Srividya were present. Advocate Anita Kini spoke on ‘Acts Related to Women’ prior to the inaugural programme.