India needs a new school every 7 minutes: Uninon Minister Maneka Gandhi

NEW DELHI: Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi today said that India needs a new school every seven minutes in order to give quality education to slum children as she participated in a live chat with users on Facebook.

"Statistically, India needs a new school every seven minutes. Ours is the largest school system in the world. I agree, we can do better," she said.

The interaction was part of Ministry's effort to enhance participation for its '100 Women Initiative' to recognise women achievers.

She called for increased participation from men in creating gender sensitivity.

"Men's role is the most critical since all the violence is male-generated. One of the ways to tackle this is at the school stage. So, we have started something which will go into effect in a few months, called 'Gender Champions' under which boys will be chosen who have been particularly respectful and helpful to girls and deserve to be emulated and rewarded," she said.

"Prizes will be given to a person in each class annually. It can also be given to a girl who has been outstanding in her bravery or attitude, etc," she said.

She also said that media is more sensitive to women issues in India as compared to abroad.

"Personally, I find that the media is more sensitive to women's issues in India as compared to abroad," she said while answering a question during the live interaction.

She said that though it sometimes creates trouble on the global scenario, media's response to violence has also led to the formulation of many good laws.

"Sometimes this gets us all into trouble internationally because the media takes one aspect of violence against women and continues to push individual cases giving the impression abroad that our society is insensitive to women. On the other hand, the media response to violence has also led to many good laws being made and better public awareness," she said.