"Change in mindset of society required to end Gender Bias"-- Justice J.S. Verma

Mr. Justice J.S. Verma, Chairperson, National Human Rights Commission called for a change in the mindset of society to end gender bias in the country. He was delivering the Third Annual Lecture on "Human Rights: The Gender Perspective". It was organised by the Gender Training Institute of the Centre for Social Research.

Justice Verma said that gender equality or justice is a facet of equality. All members of the human family must be treated as equal - equality being a human right. He stressed that human rights are all those characteristics or attributes that are essential to a life with dignity. The violation of human rights occurs when any act, or omission to act, results in a consequence that is inconsistent with the dignity of the individual. "Human Rights are Natural Rights which are non-negotiable and do not depend on conferment by any authority. They are inherent in human existence."

The right to safe motherhood is also a human right. Insensitivity to this right leads to an increase in maternal mortality and related problems, such as high infant mortality rates and the birth of children condemned to suffer from congenital mental disabilities. This set of issues has been of major concern to the National Human Rights Commission, stated the Chairperson of the Commission.

International Covenants, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), and International Declarations including those adopted at the Beijing Conference and, earlier, at the Vienna Conference, have stressed the importance of gender equality. The Constitution of India also assures such equality through its Preamble and through Articles 14, 15, 16, 19 (1) (g), 21 and 51A. But inspite of these formal guarantees, gender bias continues and is tragically explicit in acts such as infanticide and foeticide, and instances of Sati. "Even women are prone to this bias," he observed.

Justice Verma emphasised that this aberration of society needs to be corrected on a priority basis. The remedy lies in education within the family, from the earliest stage of life and throughout society. "Enacting law is not enough - unless there is a change in the thinking process of society as a whole, these evils will be perpetrated down the generations. It should be the fundamental duty of every citizen to denounce every practice derogatory to women." He cited the change brought about in Kerala by the emphasis placed on the education of the girl child. The lack of a similar emphasis in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar had resulted in gender inequality being pervasive in these States.

Rajya Sabha Member and noted social activist Ms. Shabana Azmi, who addressed the function, emphasised the need for the right kind of education to prevent the reinforcement of gender-stereo-types. Gender training was very necessary for the police force, so as to bring to light the crudity of gender-related violence that takes place in society. She also stressed the need for gender sensitisation in Parliament, in order to change the mindset of Parliamentarians.