Priyanka and Shabana root for women empowerment

Actors Priyanka Chopra and Shabana Azmi spoke about the importance of educating a girl at IIFA 2014.

Actor Priyanka Chopra feels that the mindset of people in India needs to change and they should no longer think of a girl as a burden. Priyanka, who has always lent support to women empowerment, spoke about the importance of educating a girl child as part of a Girl Rising Project session at the ongoing International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Weekend and Awards.

“I hear stories like a girl is not given education because she is going to go to another family (marriage). A boy is educated because he will bring income to the family. It is horrible,” said Priyanka.

“Fortunately, I come from a family where there is no difference between a girl and boy child. But to bring a change, the mindset of the people has to be changed. A girl child is not a burden, educating one girl is like educating a family,” said the actor.

“I am lucky that I had the opportunity to choose and do what I want to do. We all should support the future of a girl,” she added.

“As an actor, I do as much as I can. I think we all should take time to do something for society... it is important,” requested the 31 year old, reported the Deccan Chronicle.

A short film on the same subject Girl Rising Project was also shown. Priyanka loved the film so much that she plans to talk to her friends in Bollywood to make this film in Hindi and other regional languages.

Veteran actor Shabana Azmi also spoke at the session, she feels violence against women should not be tolerated.  “I feel sad that despite knowing the violent situation in marriage, often women are asked to live with it. There is a pressure to keep the marriage alive. I feel violence against women should not be tolerated,” said the 68-year-old actor. However, she is happy to see that today, women are present in every field be it politics, corporate or others.

Shabana thinks education of the girl child is important as it eventually leads to the literacy of the entire family. “One should look deep within ourselves... we should give equal opportunity to a boy and girl. We should talk to our maid or helper whether their kids especially girls are getting educated or not,” she added.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 28^th, 2014.

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