Lucknow, Aug 11 (IANS): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has assured all steps that will promote women's education and ensure their safety in a bid to empower them and make them self-sufficient in their own right.

"It is the responsibility of everyone in the society to contribute to women's empowerment," the chief minister said at an event here where Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat (JKP), a charitable trust founded by spiritual leader Jagadguru Kripaluji Maharaj, was lauded for its role in this area.

"The government has taken an extra step to ensure prosperity of rural women by various schemes that offer special discount on registration of property or procurement of bank loans for self employment," the chief minister added.

At the event themed on women's empowerment and organized by Zee Media Group, JKP President Vishakha Tripathi was presented with a citation in recognition of the efforts made by the organisation for upliftment of women in rural and backward areas of Uttar Pradesh.

The citation was received by JKP representative Ram Puri.

Chief Secretary Alok Ranjan, noted educationist Roop Rekha Verma and chairperson of the Uttar Pradesh Women's Commission Zareena Usmani also participated in a panel discussion.

Tripathi said in a statement that JKP would continue its efforts both in the fields of education and healthcare. "Excellence in girl education and providing modern medical facilities to people who need it most are the prime concerns of JKP and all out efforts will be made to fulfill it."

JKP representative Ram Puri said the organisation was educating more than 5,000 girl students through its educational institutions, and constantly making efforts to widen its reach to embrace those who are needy.

The organisation has already won the Rajeev Gandhi Global Excellence Award, Mother Teresa Award and Nelson Mandela Award, among others.