The policy’s objective is to tackle persistent challenges women face and pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable society.
Published Oct 13, 2024 | 1:21 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 14, 2024 | 8:33 AM
The draft policy envisages a legally binding rule ensuring that gifts or property received by a woman as part of a wedding can only be used by her, thereby safeguarding her financial independence. (Wikimedia Commons)
Months after the Hema Commission report revealed a shocking lack of gender equality in the Malayalam film industry, the Women and Child Welfare Department of the state government unveiled a new draft policy to push for gender equality.
This marks the fourth revision of the women’s policy in the state — earlier versions were introduced in 1996, 2009, and 2015.
The policy’s objective is to tackle persistent challenges women face and pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable society.
Focusing on key areas such as education, healthcare, labour, culture, law, and women’s safety, as well as addressing the specific needs of marginalised groups like Adivasis, coastal communities, and senior citizens, the policy aims to confront the contradictions in Kerala’s development that continue to hinder true gender parity.
The upcoming policy promises a comprehensive approach to bridging these gaps and advancing gender equality across all sectors.
In its introductory part, the policy underscores the fact that the state has remained unequal in the gender domain, despite advancements in health, education, and social welfare.
“Recognizing the need for a more inclusive and just society, the state government has formulated a new policy that seeks to address the contradictions of Kerala’s development and create a truly gender-equal society,” the draft policy states.
“The previous editions of the policy, introduced in 1996, 2009, and 2015, laid the groundwork for improving women’s rights and addressing gender disparities. However, with the changing socio-political landscape of Kerala between 2015 and 2023, including economic growth, natural calamities, and a pandemic, the need for a more comprehensive policy has become clear,” it further says.
“The government now plans to revise the existing framework to reflect the current realities, emphasizing gender justice not only for women but also for gender minorities, marking a shift towards inclusivity,” the draft policy states.
The policy emphasises the importance of women’s empowerment and the need for their participation in all spheres of society.
It aims to create a legal and social environment that protects women’s rights, promotes gender equality, and ensures their safety and well-being.
Key objectives of the new policy include dismantling capitalist and traditional gender power relations, ensuring women’s participation in governance, and strengthening the legal system to combat violence and discrimination.
The policy envisions a society where women have equal access to education, employment, health, legal protection, and social welfare.
A significant focus will also be on economic independence.
The Women’s Policy – 2024 emphasises the importance of education, proposing gender studies as part of the school curriculum.
Special attention will be given to marginalised communities, including coastal, tribal, and Muslim women, who lag in literacy levels. Schools and colleges are expected to become more women-friendly, and new training programmes for teachers will be introduced to foster a gender-sensitive learning environment.
The policy points out that Kerala’s demographic shifts have led to the need for an increased focus on care for elderly women.
The government aims to ensure their welfare through comprehensive social protection programmes. The goal is not only to offer protection but to encourage women of all ages to thrive.
The policy outlines specific action plans for various sectors:
Education: Promoting gender equality in the learning and teaching processes, creating women-friendly learning environments, and introducing gender studies in the curriculum.
Health: Ensuring access to quality healthcare for women, addressing gender-specific health issues, and promoting women’s reproductive health rights.
Economy: Promoting women’s economic empowerment through employment opportunities, entrepreneurship, and access to financial resources.
Social Justice: Addressing issues of social exclusion, discrimination, and violence against women.
Governance: Ensuring women’s representation in decision-making bodies and promoting gender-sensitive governance.
Key recommendations
The draft Women’s Policy – 2024 introduces a range of forward-thinking initiatives aimed at fostering gender equality in Kerala.
– Introduction of a legally binding rule ensuring that gifts or property received by a woman as part of a wedding can only be used by her, thereby safeguarding her financial independence.
– Setting a ceiling limit on wedding expenses to curb the economic pressures often placed on families, promoting a more equitable and sensible approach to marriage traditions.
– Gender protocols in educational institutions
– Embedding gender studies in school curriculums and establishing gender clubs to raise awareness and promote discussion on equality from a young age.
– Ensuring school and college campuses are designed to be more welcoming and supportive of girls’ needs, promoting a safer and more comfortable learning experience.
– Transforming the traditional Parent-Teacher Association to a more inclusive Parent-Teacher-Student Association, giving students a voice in matters affecting their education and well-being.
– Conducting gender audits of undergraduate and postgraduate syllabuses to eliminate biases and ensure equal representation in educational content.
– Launching comprehensive mental health studies focused on women and girls, and revising the state’s Mental Health Policy to be more sensitive to their specific needs.
– Initiating in-depth studies into the rising cases of lifestyle diseases among women, ensuring healthcare is tailored to tackle these issues effectively.
– Hosting gender festivals to celebrate and raise awareness about gender equality and empowering women and other gender minorities.
– Preparing a comprehensive social history of women in Kerala, recognising their contributions and struggles throughout the state’s development.
– Expanding legal literacy programmes for women and girls, empowering them with knowledge of their rights and how to protect them.
– Conducting gender audits of existing laws to identify and rectify any legal gaps that perpetuate inequality.
According to the department, only the draft policy has been prepared and it will be finalised after incorporating suggestions from the public.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
