External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, at a Group of Ministers meeting to review the national policy for women, suggested that men should be encouraged to take up home science in college and polish their culinary skills, while women, on the other hand should take up something like martial arts.
A government source said, “She told the meeting that encouraging men to study home science will help break the traditional mindset about women. In this way, men can also contribute to making women's life better. Swaraj said though men and women are working, the workload on women is far more.” The policy, which is set to be revised for the first time in 16 years, will address all challenges- current and emerging, especially issues related to their health, education, and employment.
The GoM has 11 members including Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu, and WCD Minister Maneka Gandhi. Naidu called for reservation for women in educational institutions. “This will help women get better opportunities,” he said.
The WCD Ministry will make the final decisions, after considering all suggestions made by the GoM. This will be the first time the policy addresses issues related to single women and widows.
