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At The Quint’s ‘Me, The Change’ event, Nirbhaya’s mother, Asha Devi, spoke about the struggles that women have to face in today’s India. Devi said that she wasn’t a strong woman, but the loss of her daughter gave her the strength to come out and fight for the rights of women across the country.
“It is very difficult. People often tell me that I am very strong. I am not strong. But the loss of my daughter gave me strength. I have made myself strong and would continue to become stronger, so that I can help the girls of the country become brave.”Asha Devi, Nirbhaya’s mother
‘Even Today, I am Standing in 2012’
Speaking at the event, Devi said that she has never asked for a job for her son or her husband, or any sort of economic help, but only justice for her daughter.
“I’ve attended many functions and spoken at many events, but I never demanded a job for my son or my husband, or anything else. Be it the Centre or the Delhi government, to every minister and leader, all I asked for was justice. But even today, I am standing in 2012. I am yet to get justice. That criminal is still alive. But we won’t stop asking for our right. One day, we will get justice.”Asha Devi, Nirbhaya’s mother
Devi further added that the mindset of the people in power needs to change, and only then, can they ensure that women are safe and criminals are punished. She said that one can pass a thousand laws, but they won’t be any good if even one of them isn’t implemented properly.
“I would like to say that you can pass a thousand laws, but if not even one of them is implemented, the laws are useless. We say that people’s mindset should be improved. But I would like to say that first, people sitting in the government, administration and judiciary should change their mindset. So, that they do their job properly and ensure that women are safe and criminals are punished.”Asha Devi, Nirbhaya’s mother
Devi felicitated young women achievers at The Quint’s ‘Me, The Change’ event. She also took a dig at politicians from across the party lines for “being silent on the harassment faced by woman.” She further criticised them for not delivering on the previous promises of women safety and education.
“Every time an election season approaches, a lot of campaign promises are made for women and girls. But no political party talks about that girl who is harassed and dies a silent death in a corner. So, if they really want to ensure women safety as they promise during the election season, they should at least fulfil their existing promises on women safety and women education.Asha Devi, Nirbhaya’s mother
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