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GENDER JUSTICE

Gender justice still a far cry! was passed in the Upper
House (Rajya Sabha) but
it lapsed as it could not be
The way women power is growing, a time will come sooner than later passed in the House of the
People (Lok Sabha). The
when full bloom gender justice will be attainable, writes zakia khan present NDA government,
an ardent supporter and
ender justice believer in the Manusmirti,
is still eluding widely believed to be
world-wide prejudicial to women and
even as the their subjugation, is least
G Constitutions interested in the all-round
and laws of almost all the gender justice, as can be
countries talk about gender seen in the ever-increasing
equality. Women continue crimes of violence and rapes
to be ignored in all walks of by people in the Sangh Pari-
life be it rightful represen- war and the state machinery
tation in decision making being misused in the overt
processes at all levels for and covert support of the
betterment of humans right accused of heinous crimes
from the grassroots of rural against women.
development of Panchayat The government has
Raj to State Legislature and whelming virtues of women, types of prejudices against announced a lot of schemes
to Parliament. Though name their rightful representation women. But dominance of for the empowerment of
sake 50 per cent reserva- in all human endeavours patriarchy is continuing women, but my question
tions for women have been have been inadequate, right its fetter unabated. Men is are we really weak? The
given to women in the from cradle to the grave folks do not want their turf common women has shown
Village Panchayats, which because of the preference of of power and pelf to be huge unity protesting silent-
for all practical purposes, male over female child, the shared equally with women. ly at Shaheenbagh without
is not workable because of very prejudicial foundation That is why there has been any manhandle, without
lack of literacy and educa- continuing against women inadequate representation any political support,
tion and also because men throughout their life. This of women in public services, without any social activist.
folks of women members of cannot change without police, armed forces, judici- It’s not just one example but
Panchayat exercise all pow- perceptible changes in the ary and board of directors of incredible of its own kind
ers by proxy. very mind set of people the corporate sector. and prove when it comes
Historically, Adam and right from one’s childhood The then Prime Minister to motherhood women
Eve — differently named in although on paper, in laws Rajiv Gandhi’s laudable act as 10x. I remember one
different beliefs and gospels and the Constitution there desire for a 33 per cent res- of the common and true
— were the first parents is gender equality, which is ervations for women in the phrases stating “A house
of humans from whom not there. legislatures, Parliament and become sweet home with a
humans in different races, With the growing liter- State Assemblies, has been touch of her essence”. So we
faiths, castes and communi- acy, information explosion eluding consensus in the could imagine the picture
ties have sprung to date. But and knowledge economy in Parliament simply because of India when they will be
all through, women have the globalized India, cry for men are wary of shedding in law making. Neverthe-
shaped growth, prosper- gender justice has been ever their primacy in law mak- less, all is not lost. The way
ity and strides by humans increasing in the country ing and related decision women power is growing,
throughout their history. for adequate representation making processes, which one hopes a time will come
Women’s multi-tasking in all segments of public otherwise would have been sooner than later when full
role as mother, daughter, administration, like educa- a milestone towards gender bloom gender justice will be
sister, wife and above all as tion, government services, justice. Several times Bill attainable and women may
home maker is all pervasive teachings, law enforcement was introduced in the Par- have the last laugh. Gender
as they enjoy primacy over agencies like police, security liament to amend the Con- justice is a sine qua non for
men although they (men- forces, armed forces, judici- stitution for a mandatory 33 equitable development of
women) together make ary, corporate sector, trade, percent representation of humans. With the current
wonderful combination commerce, industry etc. women in Parliament and social churnings, one hopes
for all round development There have been continu- State Assemblies. gender justice is achievable!
throughout the world. ing processes for gender The Bill, however, could
Despite such over- justice in order to remove all not be passed. Once the Bill LETTERS@TEHELKA.COM

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