Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Rahul Gandhi Urges Women to Break Patriarchal Constraints
Rahul Gandhi spoke to female students at an event in Pune.
He said women are one of India’s biggest strengths.
He encouraged women to make their own choices and not be controlled by traditional expectations.
He criticised the idea that women should be defined only as daughters, wives or mothers.
He said women face problems such as harassment, violence and female foeticide.
He also said fear can stop women from studying or working.
Marriage and household responsibilities can create more barriers.
He asked young women to challenge these restrictions and pursue their dreams.
Rahul Gandhi told female students that women are India’s greatest strength.
He criticised patriarchal structures for restricting women to traditional identities and roles.
At a Pune youth event, he urged women to belong only to themselves and “break the cage.”
Gandhi cited female foeticide, harassment, physical violence and restricted mobility as major challenges.
He said fear of violence, marriage and domestic responsibilities limit women’s education, employment and property ownership.
- Who
- Congress MP and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi addressed female students.
- What
- He discussed women’s empowerment, discrimination, safety and social change, and criticised patriarchal restrictions.
- When
- Saturday; the article does not provide a specific date.
- Where
- The Chhatron Ki Goonj event at Shri Shivaji Preparatory Military School College Ground in Pune.
- Why
- He said women face restrictions and violence that limit their education, employment, mobility and independence.
- Speaker
- Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha
- Event
- Chhatron Ki Goonj
- Audience
- A large gathering of Gen Z female students
- Women described as India’s strength
- Gandhi referred to the ideas and dreams of India’s “70 crore women.”
- Female foeticide claim
- Gandhi said around 4.5 lakh girls face female foeticide annually.
- Harassment claim
- Gandhi said 80 per cent of women experience harassment.
- Physical abuse claim
- Gandhi said 30 per cent of women face physical abuse.
- Barriers identified
- Fear of violence, marriage and domestic responsibilities were cited as reasons women leave education or employment.