Gender Equality Aiming Women Empowerment: Judges Made Law A Lighthouse

Abstract

The Indian society has been traditionally patriarchal in its character, dominated by male-sponsored socio-cultural-political affairs and activities.  The women who are otherwise integral part of family, community and society, have stood sidelined for their individual and participatory rights.  The advancement of time has not ensured progress of class of women to avail them the equal place in the societal structures.  The ideal of gender equality, which a democratic society empowered by Constitutional values would always cherish, has eluded in country’s collective walk.

The women individually and as a class wield high degree of strength, efficiency and intellectual power.  It is a poignant observation by the Apex Court, ‘…self sacrifice and self denial are their nobility and fortitude and yet they have been subjected all inequities, indignities, inequality and discrimination’, in Madhu Kishwar v. State of Bihar[1].

[1] (1996) 5 SCC 125.