One
of the limitations of the Constitution of India is that it does not
adequately attend to gender justice. What evidence can you give to
substantiate this charge? If you were writing the Constitution today,
what provisions would you recommend for remedying this limitation?
One of the limitations of the Constitution of India is that it does not adequately attend to gender justice. What evidence can you give to substantiate this charge? If you were writing the Constitution today, what provisions would you recommend for remedying this limitation?
Any
answer supported with argument or explanation would solve the
purpose. It is strongly recommended that you prepare the
solution on your own. However, one sample solution has been
provided for your reference:
It
is true that there are inadequate provisions for gender justice in
the Constitution. Though it is a fundamental right of every citizen
to be treated equally but there is no specification of the basis of
gender but specification is made on religion, caste and class.
Citizens
cannot be exploited or discriminated on the basis of their caste,
class, language and religion but there is no mention of gender.
Respect for women has been confined to the directive principles and
women’s rights are not specified so that they can be
interpreted and defended by the judiciary. The status of women within
family has also been ignored in the Constitution. Thus, it makes no
special privileges for almost half of the population while there are
provisions for affirmative action for other socially backward groups
and minorities.
Provisions
for women
-
Freedom of conscience and profession irrespective of the gender of
the citizen
-
Right to liberty and personal freedoms specially speech and
expression irrespective of the gender of the citizen
-
Move freely and safely throughout the territory of India
-
Right to life and liberty
-
Minimum age of marriage- 21 years for both males and females
-
Making education is must for girl child
-
Curbing practices like female infanticide and foeticide with harsh
punishment for either
-
Protection from domestic violence
-
Protection from any kind of sexual harassment
Any answer supported with argument or explanation would solve the purpose. It is strongly recommended that you prepare the solution on your own. However, one sample solution has been provided for your reference:
It is true that there are inadequate provisions for gender justice in the Constitution. Though it is a fundamental right of every citizen to be treated equally but there is no specification of the basis of gender but specification is made on religion, caste and class.
Citizens cannot be exploited or discriminated on the basis of their caste, class, language and religion but there is no mention of gender. Respect for women has been confined to the directive principles and women’s rights are not specified so that they can be interpreted and defended by the judiciary. The status of women within family has also been ignored in the Constitution. Thus, it makes no special privileges for almost half of the population while there are provisions for affirmative action for other socially backward groups and minorities.
Provisions for women
- Freedom of conscience and profession irrespective of the gender of the citizen
- Right to liberty and personal freedoms specially speech and expression irrespective of the gender of the citizen
- Move freely and safely throughout the territory of India
- Right to life and liberty
- Minimum age of marriage- 21 years for both males and females
- Making education is must for girl child
- Curbing practices like female infanticide and foeticide with harsh punishment for either
- Protection from domestic violence
- Protection from any kind of sexual harassment
