In a powerful tribute to Delhi’s frontline workers, senior AAP leader and former Chief Minister Atishi honored ASHA workers and women sanitation workers at a program in Karol Bagh on International Women’s Day. With AAP MLA Vishesh Ravi in attendance, the event highlights the AAP’s commitment to recognizing the often-overlooked contributions of women who keep the city running.
On this occasion, senior AAP leader and former Delhi CM Atishi said, “Respect for women should not be limited to International Women’s Day; it should be observed 365 days a year. This is something everyone must understand. Over the past 10–15 years, women have made significant progress, but the reality remains that in many households, the birth of a daughter is still met with disappointment.”
The senior AAP leader affirmed, “Ten years ago, when the AAP government was formed under the leadership of Arvind Kejriwal, government schools in Delhi were in a dilapidated state. At that time, I visited a girls’ school and asked the students how many of their brothers studied in private schools. Ninety percent of the girls present said that their brothers were enrolled in private institutions.”
She continued, “If a family could afford to send only one child to a private school, they would prioritize their son while sending their daughters to run-down government schools. This remains an unfortunate reality in our country. Even today, daughters are often viewed as a burden. From childhood, parents worry about their daughter’s marriage and dowry.”
“On this International Women’s Day, we must all take responsibility for ensuring that women in our city and across the country are granted true equality. Achieving this requires collective effort,” asserted Atishi.
The senior AAP leader emphasized, “Mothers and sisters play the most crucial role in securing equal rights for girls. Unfortunately, it is often women themselves who reinforce gender stereotypes. We tell our daughters that they cannot do certain things, that they must behave in a particular way, or that they should not go to certain places. From a young age, we instill in them a sense of inferiority compared to boys. We ask girls to cook and bring water, but we do not impose the same expectations on our sons. Mothers serve food to their sons with their own hands, reinforcing these biases.”
“If there is gender inequality in our country today, women must also acknowledge their role in perpetuating it. If we truly want to establish equality in society, we must start within our own homes. That is where real change begins,” stated Atishi.
She further stated, “It is true that today, most girls are receiving an education. However, after completing the 12th grade, parents begin to question whether they should invest in their daughter’s higher education. They worry about college fees. We must take responsibility for educating our daughters in schools and colleges, just as we do for our sons. Moreover, we must ensure that daughters, like sons, are given opportunities to become financially independent.”
Atishi noted, “Women achieve true independence when they have financial security. When women earn their own money, they gain equal status in society. But promoting equality is not just about changing girls’ perspectives; we must also change the mindset of boys. It is not enough to educate only our daughters—we must also teach our sons that men and women are equal.”
The AAP leader pointed out, “Even in well-educated households, where both husband and wife are working professionals, there is an imbalance in domestic responsibilities. After returning home from work, the husband relaxes in front of the television, while the wife continues to take care of household chores. This is a result of how we raise our sons—we fail to instill in them the values of equality and shared responsibility.”
She added, “It is true that our elder generations of women faced even greater inequality. But if we want to change society for our daughters, that change must begin at home. If we start within our own families, our daughters will grow up differently, and society will evolve as well. On this International Women’s Day, we must all pledge to instill a sense of equality in our sons and daughters. If we wish to build a better country and society, it is our responsibility to begin that transformation at home.”
Addressing young girls pursuing education, the AAP leader said that there will always be people who say that girls cannot do certain things. Girls must ignore such voices. Women can achieve anything. Today, women are CEOs of major companies, they have reached the moon, and they are winning medals for the country in sports. “Women have served as Chief Ministers, Prime Ministers, and even as the President of India. So, if anyone tells our daughters that they cannot do something, they must respond with confidence—women can achieve anything, and they will prove it,” concluded Atishi.
