Maliwal went beyond her duties to address women’s issues: Kejriwal

New Delhi, March 8 (IANS) Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday praised Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) Chairperson Swati Maliwal for her commitment towards women's safety and said she had gone beyond her duties to address women's issues.

"The DCW has made a name for itself, not just in India but the whole world. Swati Maliwal has been working tirelessly. She has gone beyond the line of her duty to address issues related to women.

"Delhi is proud of the DCW, which is as popular in the world as Delhi's Mohalla Clinics or the Happiness Curriculum," Kejriwal said at an event organised by the DCW to mark International Women's Day.

The Chief Minister said that women were no less than men. "Women can do anything that men can do, be it performing motorcycle stunts, flying or sailing, and the Women's Day awards given by the DCW are testimony to this," he said.

Kejriwal also praised Maliwal on completion of her 13-day foot march, saying that a 330 km "padyatra" was not easy to undertake.

"It reflects the high level of dedication and commitment that Maliwal and her team have towards the issues faced by the women in Delhi," he said.

Friday's event marked the final day of the 13-day "Mahila Suraksha Padyatra" that Maliwal undertook along with the members and staff of the Commission and a large number of volunteers and supporters.

The Women's Day awards celebrated the strength and compassion of Indian women who have overcome severe obstacles to make a mark for themselves.

Those felicitated by the DCW included the all-female crew of Air India, the women bikers of the Border Security Force, the Indian Army's first female stunt rider, a 55-year old woman e-rickshaw driver and a doctor who busted a pre-natal gender screening racket, among others.

Speaking on the occasion, Delhi Chief Secretary Vijay Kumar Dev said that education is the tool which will bring radical transformation in the fight for women's rights.