Empowered mothers can lead the next generation towards:

Read the passage given below and answer the question that follows.

My name is called out and I get onto the stage; my heart is beating fast and my legs are a bit shaky, but speak I must, so this is what I say. 'Our little satellite reached Mars because it was called MOM. If it was called DAD, it would still be circling the Earth, lost, but not willing to ask for directions. 'In order to empower women, we need three things: education, employment and a change in the way men perceive women.

'How do we change this deeply ingrained' perception? We are mothers. We are the ones raising an entire new generation. We shape their values and attitudes. We need to teach them right from the beginning that both genders are different, but our value is the same. If we want to empower women, we need to be empowered mothers so that we can lead the next generation of men and women into a life of true equality.'

That evening, I ask the man of the house, 'So do you think we are equals or am I weaker in any way?' He laughs, 'Of course, you are weaker!' And trying to imitate me, in a ridiculous falsetto voice, continues, 'Baby, push this coffee table, na, I can't move it.' I mutter under my breath that I wasn't talking about physical strength, punch him on the arm and go off to see what's made for dinner.