THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday said that the people of Kerala are liable to bring the state to the topmost position when it comes to the safety of women. At present, Kerala is second in the list of safest states for women.

The Chief Minister was speaking after inaugurating the statewide celebration of International Women's Day at Nishagandhi auditorium in Thiruvananthapuram. The occasion also witnessed the distribution of Vanitaratna awards.

"The government has been working to promote women empowerment. However, it is disappointing to witness women getting abused and degraded in certain parts of the state," Vijayan said. He also pointed out the list of schemes introduced by the government promoting women empowerment such as the Naipunya training programs, women representation in the police force, pink police and special battalion for women. He also mentioned the 'night walk' program for women which was successfully conducted across the state.