New Delhi, Nov 13 : President Pratibha Patil said here on Friday that committing violence against women should not be tolerated as it goes against the very ethos of civilized society.

Addressing the third National Conference on the implementation of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act here President Patil said: “The violence that women truly face both within and outside their homes is an aspect which is particularly condemnable and not tolerable as it goes against the very ethos of a civilized society.”

“Domestic violence violates the sanctity of the home, which is the abode of a love and affection. The enactment of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act in 2005 was an important step towards promoting safety for women and, in a way, of the whole family,” she added.

Patil also expressed concern over the falling sex ratio in some regions of the country and higher drop out rates of girls in primary and secondary education, the growing statistics of crimes against women.

“The World Health Organization in its report on Women Health and Domestic Violence against Women pointed out that education for women has a protective effect. Research shows that education results in lesser violence as it gives women many more options for earning and greater command over resources,” she said.

“To bring about gender equality we need to focus on educating and empowering women,” Patil added.

She opined that the founding fathers of our Constitution envisaged a nation in which justice, liberty, equality and fraternity would be secured for all its citizens.

“The concept of discrimination between one citizen and another on the grounds of race, religion, caste, sex, place of birth was rejected. The pledge of equality between men and women was inherent in the provisions relating to fundamental rights that affirm equal opportunity for all its citizens,” Patil said.

In her address the President also commended the excellent service rendered by women in administration, science, arts and in many other many fields.

Stressing on the need of strengthening the processes that promote economic and social development of women Patil said: “A number of programmes to achieve a holistic empowerment of women through schemes that provide micro credit and support systems to women are being implemented. The Self-Help movement has been particularly successful in enabling women to create economically sustainable models of growth.”(ANI)