Bengaluru, Mar 29 (DHNS): Batting for 100 per cent literacy among women, chief minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said it was imperative to address the skewed sex ratio in the State.

Speaking after inaugurating the International Women’s Day celebrations, organised by the Karnataka State Government Employees’ Association in the City, Siddaramaiah said the government was making concerted efforts to address the injustice meted out to women.

He said educating the girl child was the only way to ensure literacy in every household.

Equal opportunities have to be created for women, who have been subjugated for centuries together, he said.

Both the literacy (82:66) and sex ratio (1000: 943) in the State are skewed. The situation is worse in rural areas. Female foeticide has become rampant owing to technological advancements, he said.

Calling for 50 per cent reservation for women in the State Legislature and Parliament, Siddaramaiah said his government had increased women’s quota in government jobs in the ongoing budget, from 30 per cent to 33 per cent.

The women’s wing of the association placed its demands before the chief minister. It included pay parity with the Central government employees, transport arrangements for women employees by departments, etc.

Achievers feted

During the event, women achievers from various fields were feted by the chief minister. They are: Rohini Mohan (light music singer); M M Bindu (Joint Director, Women and Child Development); Dakshayani (Deputy Director, Mines and Geology department); Shamata Deshamane (Sociology professor, Bangalore University); Dr K V Malini (gynaecologist, Vani Vilas Hospital); Bharathi (Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board  Board); Harinakshi (Department of Public Instructions).