New Delhi, Jan 9 (IANS) The government is in touch with the US and Britain to ensure justice for Indian women who have been deserted by their NRI husbands, Minister of State of Women and Child Development Renuka Choudhury said here Monday.

Speaking at a session on gender issues in the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, the annual conclave of India's diaspora, Choudhury spoke about the experience of many harassed women who were left in lurch by their NRI husbands in the alien land, after making rosy promises.

"Don't teach the women to wait for a hand, empower them," she said.

National Council for Women chairperson Girija Vyas underlined the need for stringent laws, awareness programmes and enhanced role of the civil society and NRIs and media for more opportunities to women.

Anu Aga, chairperson of the Women Empowerment Committee of the Confederation of Indian Industry, said gender equality is integral to a country's economic development.

"The constitution of India provides for equality of opportunities for men and women," she added.

Referring to the deprivation and discrimination faced by women in India, Aga, also a director of Thermax Ltd, pointed that they comprise only 6 percent of the Indian corporate workforce.

Aga concluded the session by saying that she hoped to see an improvement in the status of women with due support from the NRIs.