CM Rekha Gupta Calls for Shift from Protection to Empowerment of Girls

By: WE staff | Thursday, 10 April 2025

• Chief Minister Rekha Gupta stressed the importance of doing more than just educating and protecting girls
• She advocated actively enabling and uplifting young women
• Addressed "Samanvay: Celebrating a 100 Years Legacy" at Indraprastha College for Women

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta made it a point on Wednesday to stress that attention must now shift from the point of only securing and educating girls to positively empowering and enhancing their lives. During the event "Samanvay: Celebrating a 100 Years Legacy" at Indraprastha College for Women, she promoted 'Beti Badhao' as the next necessary step towards driving women's empowerment.

“We’ve moved from ‘Beti Bachao’ to ‘Beti Padhao’; now it’s time for ‘Beti Badhao’,” said Chief Minister, addressing the gathering. “Our mothers protected and educated us—now it’s our turn to uplift the next generation of girls and help them thrive.”

Looking back on her student leadership days, she remembered, "In 1996, during my time as DUSU president, DU had taken the initiative of a common admission form for all colleges. It is this camaraderie among students, teachers, and officials that has rendered DU one of the nation's and worlds top institutions."

Rekha also marked Delhi University's contribution to developing women leaders. "From Sucheta Kriplani, India's first woman chief minister, to me standing here today as CM—this is part of DU's proud legacy."

Inspiring girls to be assertive and independent, she appealed, "I request every girl student here to vow to speak up for them.” Tum toh dariya ho, apna hunar jaanti ho, jis aur nikal jaaogi, raste bana logi," she said, drawing applause from the audience.