Pune: Nationalist Congress Party (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday said women should be given more opportunities in the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections as "the power of responsibility is not reserved just for men".

Speaking at the 'Yashaswini Samman Sohla' event here, where women from different walks of life were honored for their contribution to the society, Pawar also said that the awards he and his brothers have won "belong to my mother". .

He said, "The power of responsibility is not reserved just for men. Women also need opportunities. They should be given more opportunities in the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections. If given a chance, women can show hard work and this is a proven fact is."

"The doors of education in my family were opened by my mother. My brothers Appasaheb and Prataprao have been awarded the Padma Shri, while I have received the Padma Vibhushan. All these awards belong to my mother," the opposition veteran said.

Pawar said he was most proud of his decision to give reservation to women in the armed forces. A former defense minister claimed that accidents have reduced since women joined the Air Force.