Geneva (Switzerland), Oct 13 (IANS): People should join hands to eliminate all forms of gender-based inequalities and violence for sustainable peace and prosperity in society, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said here Monday.

"Women are the unwavering pillars of society and the worth of any civilisation can be judged from the position it gives to women," she said in her address on "Achieving Gender Equality, Ending Violence Against Women" at the 131st Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) here.

While appreciating the noble initiatives of the IPU member countries, Mahajan observed that the real need is to change the traditional mindset and to treat women as equal humans.

National parliaments are the people's supreme representative bodies and most appropriate institutions to help in uplift of the status of women, she said.

She also said that Indian laws and policies have helped in creating a conducive environment for empowering women economically and socially.

India being a pioneer in extending adult franchise to its women, is proactively working for providing one-third reservation for women in parliament and legislative assemblies, she added.