More Power to Women

Last year saw many judgments which empowered the fairer sex, be it granting permanent commission to women officers in the army, rulings against sexual harassment at the workplace and reproductive choice being their fundamental right

- Srishti Ojha

THE Covid-19 pandemic posed an arduous challenge to the judiciary. Even as it struggled to ensure regular functioning, it managed to give some important judgments. While 2020 witnessed rulings that upheld women’s rights, there were others that perpetuated stereotypes about patriarchy and sexism.

In India, conventional statements about women abound. “A girl should know how to cook.” “Women should take care of the house.” “You should listen to your husband.” But when sexist and stereotypical statements come from the judiciary, women face a daunting prospect and a tough fight ahead. This sort of validation from an important organ of the government and the custodian of the Constitution can set women back.

In July 2020, the Karnataka High Court faced severe criticism while hearing the bail plea of a rape accused. While granting anticipatory bail to him, Justice Krishna S Dixit in his order said it was “unbecoming” of an alleged rape victim to have fallen asleep after being “ravished”. The order also talked about how a rape victim should behave after she is “ravished”. The strange choice of words and the expectation of certain behaviour from a rape victim, who may be going through mental or psychological trauma, is surprising.