Gender sensitization must begin at home: CJI J S Khehar

Chief Justice of India J S Khehar on the occasion of International Women's Day said that making strict laws is not sufficient to prevent crimes against women. He emphasized that the mindset of society had to change to ensure that our women enjoy equal status as our men. & quot A man goes outside house as per his will but wife goes outside after taking permission. A man spends money as he chooses but wife spends as per his nod. A man is considered to be the master of the house but not wife, because she cooks, washes clothes, keeps the house clean and makes all efforts to make life comfortable. This is the mindset which must change. Children also see the behavior of their parents and follow the same mindset where a girl child is treated as liability and a boy is considered as a future asset,& quot he said. Speaking at a seminar organized by Supreme Court's Gender Sensitization and Internal Complaints Committee, Khehar said there were psychological as well as physiological issues behind rape and eve-teasing. He further pointed that crime against women are more prevalent in the lower strata of society and it was only punishment which could set things right. He added that needs of the poor and deprived must be taken care of by the society. Furthermore, Justice Dipak Misra added that putting restriction on women's freedom was a medieval practice that must be done away. GSICC chief and the lone woman SC judge Justice R Banumathi said that the court had always been upfront in protecting the rights of women and in implementing constitutional mandate against gender discrimination.

Protection of the women should be the foremost importance of a nation. As Justice Khehar said that making strict laws is not enough, implementation is the important part. As long as we do not have rigid implementation of the punishment, the impact will not be made. We need to instill the fear in the criminals that their acts shall throw them behind the bars.