Give fairer sex their fair share of respect

The scourges plaguing society today make a long list indeed. Farmers commit suicides on account of economic distress, children are sold in major cities as if they are commodities, vulnerable sections such as women and the aged remain excluded from access to basic human requirements, the despicable practice of killing women in the name of honour persists in parts of the country, there is a steady deterioration in the relationship with neighboring countries, pandemics are met with less than adequate preparation and ability, and the economy of the country is showing signs of acute stress. Despite the existence of statutes declaring the evil practices such as female foeticide, child marriage and dowry as crimes, they are far from being eradicated

The International Women's Day was celebrated with the customary pomp and fanfare a few days ago. Many functions were held all over the country, and also in Hyderabad, in which VVIPs participated and addressed the gatherings. This columnist chose to attend a small function organised by a group of women entrepreneurs engaged in making products with jute as a substitute for plastic. Unlike in the other functions, however, there were no formal speeches. The usual paying of lip service to the cause of women was conspicuous by its absence. It was an informal gathering in which the participants spoke freely about their own personal experiences in search of economic independence. This columnist, in response, exhorted the ladies present to give full expression to their urge to attain economic freedom through productive and socially useful activities. He drew the attention of the participants to the persistent and continued bias against women in society, and pointed out how many pledges, made in the past by political leaders and social activists to emancipate them remained only on paper. He told them, in short, that all the hoo-ha being made by them about what will be done about for ensuring gender parity and women's welfare is just old wine in a new bottle.

He also recalled the contributions of great historical personalities such as Joan of Arc, Florence Nightingale, Rani Rudramadevi and Jhansi Ki Rani in the olden days, and Mother Teresa, Sarojini Naidu, Durgabai Deshmukh, Indira Gandhi and Pratibha Patil in more recent times. He made a special reference to the sacrifices and spirit of service that characterised the lives of persons such as Medha Patkar and Aruna Roy. He paid rich tributes to the accomplishments of distinguished artists and sports persons such as M S Subbalakshmi, Sania Mirza, Diana Edulji, P V Sindhu and Saina Nehwal.

He reminded the audience that according to the Hindu religion, the three God, of creation, sustenance and destruction respectively, are said to have originated from 'Aadi Shakti' the original source of energy and power.

The scourges plaguing society today make a long list indeed. Farmers commit suicides on account of economic distress, children are sold in major cities as if they are commodities, vulnerable sections such as women and the aged remain excluded from access to basic human requirements, the despicable practice of killing women in the name of honour persists in parts of the country, there is a steady deterioration in the relationship with neighbouring countries, pandemics are met with less than adequate preparation and ability, and the economy of the country is showing signs of acute stress. Despite the existence of statutes declaring the evil practices such as female foeticide, child marriage and dowry as crimes, they are far from being eradicated.

It has been noted in this column earlier as to how the growth and development effort of governments generally lacks a sense of ordered priorities from among available options. How else can those in the highest places and charged with the responsibility of addressing the plight of women still find the time to encourage sports, culture, religious activities and adventurous explorations, when so many pressing issues await their attention?

It must be noted with appreciation, and a sense of satisfaction, that some truly positive developments have taken place of late. These include the Supreme Court verdict permitting entry of women belonging to a certain age-category into the Sabarimala temple and settling by law of Parliament the highly complex issue of triple talaq. And institutions such as the National Commission for Women have been doing a commendable job of protecting, defending and preserving the rights and privileges of women. This columnist remembers, with a feeling bordering on trepidation, his appearance before that Commission in one of its sittings at Hyderabad while serving as the Chief Secretary to the government of Andhra Pradesh. The grilling he went through still makes him wake up at night, fearing the worst!

In the undivided Andhra Pradesh State in particular, successive governments took several steps to provide a fillip to the amelioration of women. The most significant among them was the provision of 30 percent reservation to women in jobs in the government, and admission to all educational institutions including intermediate, engineering and other professional colleges. That was apart from the admissions women secured in the general quota on merit. The measures brought a sea change in the status of women and also led to software companies employing many women from these States both in India and abroad.

Another step was the Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas programme - launched in 1982 by the GoI (as part of the Integrated Rural Development Programme). That scheme transformed the village economy and thousands of self-help groups comprising lakhs of women were provided loans by banks at almost no interest, along with a subsidy from the government, to enable women to raise buffalos and cows to sell milk. Loans were also provided to cottage industries to produce handicrafts which found attractive markets both in India and abroad.

When all is said and done, however, women remain as a community still considered less privileged. To remedy this, men's mindset needs to change. After all, there is no civilization without women. Imagine all women in the world deciding not to have children for a year! Women in higher places are also generally more acceptable to subordinates, peers and superiors.

It must be remembered that a woman symbolises all that nature is, in her role as a mother, wife, sister and daughter. Setting apart one day in a year, as Vice President Venkaiah Naidu rightly noted while addressing a gathering a few days ago in Hyderabad, is hardly an adequate tribute to the significance of the role the fairer sex plays.

In sum, therefore, the attitude of government and society to the cause of women presents a mixed bag, with much to be satisfied about, and more as residual agenda remaining to be addressed in the future. The sincerity and commitment of the government and society to the cause of women will be tested seriously by many factors. Foremost among them, however, will remain their success in ensuring passage of the Reservation Bill (Constitutional 2008), which promises 33% reservation of seats in the lower house of Parliament and all Assemblies of the country.

(The writer is former Chief Secretary, Government of Andhra Pradesh)