Women are mentally stronger than men: Justice Rohini

Rajamahendravaram: Former Chief Justice of Delhi High Court Justice G Rohini has said that the society has been treating women as second-class citizens across the world for many centuries. It may be becauseof their physical structure and also for other reasons, she says.

Addressing the delegates at 14th state level AIDWA (All India Democratic Women’s Association) conference held in River Bay Resortshere on Thursday, Justice Rohini said though women are physically weak, mentally they are stronger whencompared to men and it was proved many timeson many occasions. 

``There are many Acts to protect women such as Prevention of dowry harassment, 498 Act, Women protection Act etc and all these are weapons in the hands of women. The acts were amendedin which punishments were increased even upto capital punishment,’’ she said.

Rape, gangrape, harassment, teasing girls below 12 years of age, between 12 to 18 years of ageor without age restriction attracts severe punishments. Many women are in fear about sexualharassment or sexual abuse even at their work places   and many parents are afraid to allow their daughters freely in the society, she stated.

``Women are responsible for 50 percent of cases and where is the need for a woman to filecase against another woman and why they harass them in the capacity of mother-in-law or sister-in-law,’’ she questioned. 

She advised AIDWA members to bring awareness among rural women about the latest Acts broughtfor their protection, which is the need of the hour. The courts give their judgements after detailed and patient hearing and the judgements are being delayed because witnesses are turned as hostiles, she added. 

Justice G Rohini underlined the need for a change in the mindset of women which is the need ofthe hour.When compared to the past, now women are coming out boldly and questioning injustice done to them which should be increased more, she averred. AIDWA state president B Prabhavathi, Ramadevi, Swarupa Rani, Punyavathi and many others werepresent at the meeting.