Empowering girls and women will make India even greater, says Tutu

India will be even greater if it ensures increased participation of women in decision making, says anti apartheid activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

""We believe this country will be even greater if all politicians, community leaders, business and religious leaders enable girls and women to play a full part in all aspects of life and decision making," said Archbishop Tutu, who is on a four-day visit to India along with members of The Elders, a group of global leaders who work together for peace and human rights.

"This is not an issue unique to India; the country with the highest rate of child marriage for girls is Niger in Africa – but what we see everywhere is that those countries that promote gender equality, do better," observed Tutu.

A delegation of the Elders visited New Delhi and the state of Bihar to better understand the causes of child marriage in India, and to encourage government officials, NGO and private sector representatives who are working to end child marriage.

"I have been touched and encouraged by my conversations in Delhi and in Bihar, especially with young people who want to end child marriage and are looking for adults to support them," said Tutu, who is an iconic figure in South Africa.

"India is a great nation and will only benefit from enabling girls and women to play their full part in building the future of the country. Let girls be girls, not brides."

The Elders delegation to India included Ela Bhatt, founder of India's Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA), Dr Gro Brundtland, former Prime Minister of Norway, and Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland.

"Peace, human rights and human development go hand in hand. I am encouraged by what we have heard from the grassroots to the highest levels of government in India, on the need to support the development of girls and women, and to tackle the practice of child marriage," said Ella, who is the founder of India's Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA).

"If we can build communities where women and girls are empowered economically and can be leaders at all levels, then peace will follow. I strongly believe that peace is not a political issue, it's a human one, and will only be achieved when everyone has the freedom to grow at their own pace and to fulfil their potential."

Before ending their trip in New Delhi, the Elders met the Speaker of Lok Sabha Meira Kumar, the Minister for Human Resource Development Kapil Sibal, and the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Sushama Swaraj.

The Elders also took part in a regional meeting hosted by Girls Not Brides: The Global Partnership to End Child Marriage.