Kolkata "safest place for women", Mamata Banerjee working for women empowerment: TMC's Shashi Panja

Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], March 9 (ANI): Trinamool Congress workers carried out a march on the occasion of International Women's Day, 2025 on Saturday.
State ministers Chandrima Bhattacharya and Shashi Panja were also present at the march.
Panja said that West Bengal is a state that provides a "model of women's empowerment" awarded by the United Nations (UN) and Kolkata is the "safest place for women".

Speaking to ANI, Panja said "Today is International Women's Day. West Bengal is a state that provides a model of women's empowerment that is awarded by the UN...Kolkata is considered as the safest place for women. There is a lower crime rate here. The CM (Mamata Banerjee) is working for the empowerment of women."
On March 8, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that every woman owns the strength and power to shape her world, as she is not weaker than anyone or inferior.
"There should never be just one day dedicated to women, for every single day belongs to every woman. Every woman owns the strength and power to shape her world every day. I urge all my mothers and sisters--there has never been a better time to recognize the depth of your strength. We are not weaker than anyone, nor are we inferior. Beyond physical strength, it is our inner resilience, the courage to stand tall, and the resolve to fight back that determine how far we can go and how quickly we can win the battles ahead," Mamata Banerjee posted on X.
CM Mamata further said that she believes in a world of equality, where each person--no matter their gender--has the right to soar.
"Find your wings, and together, we will conquer the skies. This world is ours, all of us, from every walk of life," she added.
Mamata Banerjee said that on this Women's Day, let us not elevate women as goddesses or deities but celebrate them as equals--human beings with inherent rights.
"Let us honor this day as a reminder that every day belongs to everyone, and all people, irrespective of gender, deserve to be seen, heard, and respected," the West Bengal CM added. (ANI)