My daughter feels unsafe in the city: Delhi CM

“My own daughter feels unsafe in the city.”  This is what Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, a vocal critic of the city police, said about the law and order situation, especially on safety of women in the capital.

Admitting that statistics on crime against women are shocking, she said the challenge will have to be faced with “courage and determination”.

“We have to face it with courage and determination. This is happening all around the country. This is not a competition. I don’t want to get into it,” she told NDTV. Birth of girls is a celebration, not a pain and if they disappear tomorrow, nature's balance will go haywire,
Dikshit on said on Friday on the occasion of women’s day.

"How can you bow your head before a female deity and then kill another female in a womb? How can you resort to violence against a woman in the family who practically runs the household, the community and the world," she said. She appealed to people to respect women and stop all forms of violence against them.

"I urge all brothers assembled here on this solemn occasion to go and protect women and not obliterate them," Dikshit said. She congratulated women for having assembled in such a huge number in celebration of the womanhood and asked them to feel proud of themselves.

"We have gathered here to celebrate the existence of womanhood, and take back home the message from here that you are second to none. And, to men I would say, do not underestimate the power of a woman," she added.

The event was hosted by Delhi Commission for Women and Department of Women and Child Development at the Talkatora Indoor Stadium.

DCW Chairperson Barkha Shukla Singh said, "Most of the violence against women is happening inside home. We are soon going to start awareness programme, especially for men. Because, as long as they do not change their mindset, no amount of legislation will work in curbing rape or other violence against them."

A Delhi-based theatre group earlier enacted a play on the theme of female foeticide which was appreciated by the chief minister.

Local youth boys band 'Astitva' also sang a song 'Jine Do (Let Me Live)' and dedicated it to the women on the day.

Minister of Social Welfare, Women and Child Development and Education, Kiran Walia, Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development Shashi Tharoor and wife Sunanda Pushkar also attended the function.