New Delhi: On the occasion of International Women’s Day 2020, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in the armed forces women’s participation has increased over the years and further enhancing their role is the priority of the government.

Presiding over as the chief guest in the Women Transforming India Awards function organised by NITI Aayog, he gave the example of Tania Sher Gill, who led an all-men contingent in Republic Day Parade.

He said that women are now leading on many fronts which were once not even open for women and was of the opinion that no door of Armed Forces should remain closed for the women.

The Minister said women are endowed with the impeccable capabilities of creating, nurturing and transforming. He emphasised the role of women in the workforce in contributing to the economic growth of the nation and that society develops only with the upliftment of its women. Women participation is necessary for the country to achieve the US$5 trillion economy target, he said.

He said ‘Today’s awardees have overcome financial and societal challenges to not just redefine the word entrepreneurship but also refine it. I congratulate NITI Aayog and WEP for providing women entrepreneurs with a platform to share their dreams, failures and victories with each other and grow from them.’