Stereotypes about women need to be changed and the role of a husband and a wife in a marriage redefined if women in the country are to be empowered, noted social activist Shabana Azmi said.

Speaking at a function here, the national award winning actress said, "Our views have to be in sync with the reality and we need to change stereotypes like saying that work of a woman is limited to the kitchen." She also had a word of advice for working women and asked them to start delegating household work to others.

Calling for a change in the education system, she said it should be without any prejudice and go beyond stereotypes. "In a nursery, a three year old toddler must not be taught that his father is in the office and mother in the kitchen... we have to move with changing times," she said.

Stressing that addressing concerns regarding women's health could be the strongest means of women empowerement, Azmi said the issues of maternal mortality and female foeticide needed to be addressed immediately.