Widespread protests following the Delhi gang-rape case reverberated in the National Development Council meeting here on Thursday, with the Prime Minister urging all States to pay special attention to gender equality.
“The emergence of women in public spaces, which is an absolutely essential part of social emancipation, is accompanied by growing threats to their security,” he said, referring to the brutal gang-rape of a 23-year-old paramedic student inside a running bus on December 16.
He said the Government had decided to review the present laws and examine the levels of punishment in cases of aggravated sexual assault.
The Prime Minister reiterated that meaningful development of the country was not possible without the active participation of women, which could only take place if their security was assured.