Regain lost status

 

 

Arindam Chaudhuri is right to say that women need education and empowerment, and not reservation (TSI, March 15-21). Years of neglect and discrimination against women cannot be turned around with 33 per cent reservation. It should be a gradual process. Moreover, there is a possibility that this bill would only invite the elite class to exploit the reservation. For instance, the sharing of power acquires a different dimension for the women from backward class, as they suffer also because of their backwardness and the bill does not have a convincing answer for that. Women empowerment implies a state of fearlessness, dignity and awareness. This process could be termed 'complete' only when women as a collective group do not require any positive discrimination or reservation. It is good that a lot of young women prefer to come up in life on the basis of merit. An attitudinal shift from the part of the society is required to reinstate the lost status of women.

Siciliamma T

Kerala