Shyamal Majumdar has rightly suggested that cosmetic changes will neither provide equal opportunity nor improve the functioning of organisations (“Quota or merit?”, March 18 ). Passing soft laws that are unchallengable like motherhood only makes the government look good.
Women in India are denied lots of things, respect and equal treatment to start with. It is much more ancient and deep rooted than sati or child-marriage or frowning upon widow marriage. A few board members, who are most likely drawn from relatives or the upper crust or even some high-profile CEOs, will not change that fact. Even women chief ministers have done little in this regard. There has to be a sustained campaign by women activists and right-thinking men to build systems that quickly address local issues. It is unthinkable that centres practising female foeticide in many Indian states are unknown to the local population. The same goes for brutalising women or denying the girl-child right to proper nutrition, health care and education. The neighbours would certainly know, but if they choose to remain silent or supportive, no law will help. Inheritance laws must be re-examined to ensure that women are not cajoled or shamed into waiving their right to family property. Religious sanctions and archaic bars on women should be challenged without fear of a minority vote backlash.
The best thing that political parties can do is to fight for oppressed women in individual cases, energise local bodies and police, and sack members and leaders who show signs of gender-based discrimination.
P Datta, Kolkata
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