New Delhi: Union Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi's remark that "all the violence is male-generated" invited criticism from the twitterati, though human rights organisations supported her observation.

Replying to a question during an interactive session with Facebook users, as part of the ministry's '#100Women' initiative launched in July, the minister said: "The role of men in gender sensitisation was the most critical since all the violence is male-generated. We have introduced (the concept of) 'Gender Champions' in schools, under which boys who have been respectful and helpful to girls will be rewarded."