'Bring boys along' in women's empowerment: Unicef

NEW DELHI: Reducing infant and maternal mortality rate in India will not be possible if men do not change their mindset and are not involved in the empowerment of women, Unicef India chief Louis-Georges Arsenault noted today.

"In India specially, gender aspect is very crucial. Though it is empowerment of girls, bringing the boys along is very important as it (reducing infant and maternal mortality rate) will not happen if men do not change their mindset. They will be the men later in life to support women," Arsenault told.

Earlier in the day, the government hosted the 'Global Call to Action' Summit 2015 which seeks to ensure cohesion among countries to end preventable maternal and child death. The Summit was attended by representatives of 24 nations.

Listing out achievements and strides made by India especially in materal and child health, Prime Minister Narendra Modi exuded confidence that India would reach close to achieving the millennium development goal of reducing under-five mortality rate.

Arsenault also emphasised on child marriage and women's education apart from aspects like immunisation, sanitation and nutrition in reducing infant and maternal mortality rate.

"Child marriage is a serious concern. Girls should have access to at least high school education," he said.