Veteran actress-activist Shabana Azmi, who runs NGO Mijwan Welfare Society, says women must be educated and have financial freedom. "Education and financial freedom are very important for women. It is necessary that parents and the life partner should respect a woman and take participation with her in every work. For women empowerment, it is also important that women come out from home and feel this world," Shabana said at 'Asmita-Woman' here on Sunday.

It was a programme hosted by the Foundation for Management Research and Training (FMRT) to recognise the power of women and also to bring together some women who have made the change happen in society just by thinking different and being independent. Mijwan is Shabana's native village, and the NGO aims at promoting employment, self-reliance and sustainable development.