Hypocrisy Of Equality For Women

BANGALORE, FEB. 11, 2009, 10.00 Hrs (R. P. Coelho):
The patriarchal attitude is deeply ingrained in Indian society (and many others in the world) and it requires honest, constant effort from men to eradicate it. Even recognised organisations for women, like the NCW, cannot do it alone. They have to tread a fine line between fairness and activism lest they be undercut and destroyed by accusations of feminism, not infrequently by their fellow women. In the modern vocabulary activists are denigrated by comparing them to militants while they themselves claim to be freedom fighters!
Bangalore gynaecologists have recently used the media to warn the public, and the government, about the danger of abortion pills sold across the counter though they are Schedule H drugs and are required to be administered under doctor’s supervision. The release of this drug in India is itself an example of the Indian government, in particular its active health minister, in allowing its sale. It is true that it is approved by the FDA and it is also well-known, in medical circles, that it causes chemical abortions and has even resulted in death. Its release is due to the power of the Planned Parenthood and pharmaceutical lobby, each of which has its own agenda at the cost of women’s health. They are even being advertised as emergency contraceptives, the height of unethical advertising! The ASCI may take note!
In that context at least the violence of so called protectors of Indian culture , whether they are political activists in Karnatka or women police officers in Meerut are at least open and subject to public comment. However negligent our democracy is there is still hope for women’s equality being reflected not only in equality of opportunity and equality of pay but more importantly, equality of protection under the law!
I appreciate the indignation of the Chairperson of the NCW and the Minister of Women and child Welfare. They might do well to explore the possibilities of ensuring speedy justice under the existing laws rather than proposing the enhancement of punishment.
The ball is really in the court of Indian men who claim to be chivalrous and solicitous of the honour of their women and the morals of their children! They need to stand up and even fight for the legal rights of women to be enforced by fast track courts (as was recently done in Chandigarh reportedly to improve India’s image with foreigners). They may be reluctant to give them 33% seats in Parliament but surely the Acts against dowry deaths, domestic violence, rape, eve-teasing can be implemented seriously.
Or do they expect women to picket liquor shops to reduce alcoholism or resort to the velen and chappal contrary to their own nurturing instincts? It was recently reported that a poor Indian woman has formed an agency called GULABI in Bihar, to take up cases of oppressed women with violence if necessary. She claims to have opened a branch in Europe and that she has been invited to USA. So it is not Indian women only who are fed up with the apathy of the failure of the legal system to protect them.
The reason for men to take up this path will not be found in the contemporary doctrines of human rights, values, equality! They are found in the beginning, in the Scriptures of all religions. The protagonists, particularly the teachers of these religions have top play a part in bringing about this change, not only in India but across the world!
R. P. Coelho