Kerala   

Collective effort of society needed

Kerala has a pride of place when it comes to the status of women in society.

There are unfortunate incidents but the media tend to exaggerate things and give the impression that all is not well for women in the State. Social organisations have played their role well in driving home the message of gender equality. We have the most number of working women – a testimony to their economic advancement. There are ample opportunities for women. We should offer all support to women to make best use of these.

Manickath Balakrishnan

Palakkad

It is widely believed that the State’s laudable performance in certain areas like women’s education has resulted in a high level of women empowerment.

It is true that women are able to land jobs and earn income. But their control over the income they earn, their status in society as individuals, their role in decision-making etc are not very satisfactory. Women in the State, in spite of being educated, are not empowered. If empowerment is defined as the ability to seek and use power appropriately, we are nowhere. There are a number of educational institutions exclusively for women. How many of these colleges and schools contribute to the empowerment of women.

In most of such institutions students learn under a controlled environment. This is not conducive to the holistic development of the individual. It is the collective responsibility of society to address these issues.

Chacko Jose and Rosy Thampy

Thrissur

Modern women have achieved much progress. They have the freedom to engage in the vocations of their choice. But certain key issues remain unaddressed. Domestic violence is still a reality.

Most women dread travelling at night. There are many laws but these are seldom evoked.

Gender budgeting, gender auditing and empowerment have become hot topics.

We should look into such things as a society in progress cannot ignore women.

K. Rajasekharan

Mulamkunnathukavu

Society should realise that the issues faced by women are not theirs alone. Women’s issues have a social ramification. Excessive drinking by men can destroy the fabric of the family. There should be proactive intervention on part of the government to enable and empower women in a society like ours.

There should certainly be more opportunities for women.

Vinodh Ninan

(by e-mail)

The tendency to view women as a ‘weaker sex’ should go. Women’s organisations should undertake activity oriented campaigns.

Micro-finance facilities should be introduced so that women in the rural areas get to earn. This will go a long way in empowering them.

Dayanand Edappally

Athirampuzha

Every year, International Women’s Day comes and goes, but the status of Indian women remains where it was.

However, by virtue of high education levels and the liberal social outlook in Kerala, things are slightly better here as women are generally conscious of their rights.

Women in Kerala are more enterprising and progressive as compared to those in other States. But unfortunately, even here, the menace of dowry is practised. It is imperative that measures such as legislation for women’s reservation, equality of girls in schools and colleges, and compulsory intake of women in employment are taken.

The most important is a change in the mindset of Kerala society. Let it not be a man’s world or a women’s world, but our world.

Ranjit Sinha

Kochi

Being a woman, I have great pride in saying that the women in the State are educated enough to get highly skilled jobs. Many of them are able to manage home and work in an efficient way.

Our women are extremely hard working. But does it help them in achieving their goals? Kerala is still far behind in this respect. Many of these women battle it out in this male chauvinistic society. Some succeed, while others fall by the wayside at some point along the journey. It is inured in a woman to compromise when it comes to her family and personal dreams.

This is not right. The very outlook of out society will have to change. A supporting hand from their family and some space in society is all that is needed to break this vicious circle.

Mary Joshy

Kottayam

Women in Kerala have traditionally enjoyed a privileged position in the family and by extension, in society. This has been possible owing to the fact that a section of society followed the matrilineal system, the essence of which was accepted by society at large, resulting in women being relatively better educated and empowered.

However, crass capitalism has made people greedy and the buzzword today seems to be to get rich by hook or crook. This race for amassing wealth has resulted in women being sidelined and made easy targets of the dowry culture, which is accepted as a norm in today’s society.

Marriages have become more opulent and an occasion to display one’s wealth. This is the vicious circle that the women of today are caught in and this also is the root cause of domestic violence.

In some work places too, merit comes second to gender considerations and women end up as victims.

Women of this State have inherited a rather progressive bequest unlike their counterparts in other States and building upon it is easier if they come together and collectively fight the evils they face in society.

R. Unni Krishnan

Edapally

The social and economic condition of women in our State is moderately fine. There is a positive sex ratio. The number of women in government and private sector jobs is high. This is indicative of their economic independence.

Many governmental and non-governmental organisations are actively involved in protecting the rights of women. It is a fact that a lot more has to be done to ensure a better stature for women. We should guard against fundamentalist elements trying to curb the right of women.

B.K.S. Nair

Thiruvananthapuram

Women in the State have made significant progress in all walks of life. But there is a wide gap. There are certain sections of society who have achieved little progress. Such people lack decision-making powers and are often relegated to the sidelines. Women and society as a whole should understand this and stand up for their rights. All decisions regarding women should be taken by women. This can go a long way in addressing their issues.

Anu P. Nair

Varkala

Equal status for men and women is still not a reality even though the State can be proud of certain achievements. There should be a collective effort to discuss and tackle issues faced by women. It should not be the burden of women alone. Excessive drinking by men can cause untold miseries to women and the family. Such issues have a social ramification and should be tackled by society. Workplace issues, woes of commuting etc also need collective action.

Women should show the courage to come out against odds. In this period of economic recession, the government should announce special packages for women.

N.V. Subramania Iyer

Kollam

Political parties have failed to keep their promise on introducing reservation for women in elected bodies. Women in all parts of the country are fighting for their rights but our parties are apparently turning not very positive in their responses. All women, irrespective of political affiliations, should unite and form a political outfit. They should stand united and make it a forum to see that their rights are protected.

K.P. Karunakaran Nair

Thiruvananthapuram

Women in our State are active in all spheres of life. They hold key positions and many are in decision-making capacities.

But this does not mean that everything is well. One-third representation for women in all elected bodies remains a dream even to this day. Also, women face many problems on a daily basis. Society as a whole should be proactive in dealing with the issues of women.

Kunhikrishnan

Koyilandy

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