The Hindu : Karnataka News : Inputs on gender justice sought

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Mar 11, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka

Inputs on gender justice sought

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, MARCH 10. The Chief Minister, N. Dharam Singh, today said he would like inputs and insights into how the social and economic needs of Muslim women can be factored into the policy-making process of the State Government, which is setting out to give shape to the concept of gender justice.

Consultative meet

Mr. Singh, who inaugurated a two-day consultative meeting on "Muslim women and their rights," organised by the Karnataka State Commission for Women, also chose the occasion to remind women that the Congress administration at the Centre was the first to become gender sensitive under the Prime Ministership of Indira Gandhi, and whether it is in power or not, gender issues and concerns are always dear to the party leadership.

Reservation

The Congress President, Sonia Gandhi, has fought for space for women in every arena, including Parliament, where she is the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. Now, as Chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance, the contours of gender-sensitive budgeting are being given shape, and even reservation for women in Parliament is that much closer to reality.

In Karnataka, the previous Government headed by S.M. Krishna had initiated many radical and forward-thinking measures to strengthen the women's movement, and empower them economically and politically.

Mr. Singh said Muslim women are particularly marginalised, and access to education, employment and, more importantly, information on their rights, is that much harder to come by. Reciting couplets in Urdu celebrating the finer aspects of Muslim tenets that gave women equal rights and responsibilities, Mr. Singh said he would await inputs and insights from the consultation for value addition in framing policy for women.

`Address dichotomy'

Syeda Akthar, Vice-Chancellor of Karnataka State Women's University, in her keynote address, said this consultation must address the dichotomy of the Muslim women's situation within and outside their community.

Even though the Koran and other holy texts and progressive women leaders and Sufi saints have laid out tenets that clearly give women parity with men, it is becoming increasingly difficult to rationalise them with modern attitudes and social mores.

The consequence is that women continue to feel straitjacketed and constricted, and this makes it difficult for them to contribute positively to the uplift of women and the community.

The Minister for Women and Child Development, Bhagirathi Marulasiddanagowda; the State Women's Commission Chairperson, Philomena Peris; and delegates from Kerala are attending the consultation.

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