On Monday(16th Sept), Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, speaking at the SheShakti event, emphasized the need to recognize women’s entitlements rather than offering concessions. He highlighted that while legal protections exist, changing societal mindsets is essential for true justice.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
NEW DELHI: On Monday(16th Sept), Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud delivered a compelling keynote address at the SheShakti event in New Delhi, organized by a prominent media outlet. His speech emphasized the urgent need to go beyond mere legal frameworks and focus on recognizing women’s entitlements.
In his address, CJI Chandrachud underscored the limitations of laws in creating a truly just society. He noted-
“There is no dearth of substantive and procedural legal provisions targeted towards protecting the interests of women in private and public situations. But good laws, including stringent ones, alone do not make for a just society.”
His statement highlighted the gap between legal measures and real-world outcomes for women.
He went on to stress the importance of reshaping societal mindsets to address deeply ingrained biases.
“Above all, we need to change our mindsets. The mindsets must move from making concessions for women to recognizing their entitlement to lead lives based on freedom and equality,”
-he added.
Addressing the broader issue of patriarchal societal norms, the Chief Justice argued for the need to change institutional and individual perspectives.
“We must foster institutional and individual ability to look beyond the male default,”
– he said. This insight captured his broader message that structural change is essential to break free from traditional gender roles.
CJI Chandrachud also pointed out that societal norms often use protective laws as a cover for infringing on women’s freedoms.
“We must be vigilant to ensure that seemingly protective laws do not infringe on women’s freedoms and choices.”
-he warned, urging caution against laws that may appear beneficial but ultimately limit women’s autonomy.
Expanding on the significance of gender equality, CJI Chandrachud noted that women’s rights are not just a “women’s thing” but a societal responsibility.
“Discussing women’s rights is not just a women’s issue. I’ve learned some of the greatest life lessons from my female colleagues.”
-he said, emphasizing the value of diverse perspectives in shaping policies.
In a powerful reminder of the historical contributions women have made, he cited the work of feminist Hansa Mehta, who drafted the “Indian Women’s Charter of Life” before the adoption of the Indian Constitution.
“Before the adoption of the Indian Constitution, the Indian Women’s Charter of Life was drafted by Hansa Mehta, a noted feminist.”
– he mentioned, linking past activism to present-day challenges.
CJI Chandrachud also highlighted the positive impact of women’s participation in governance and leadership, stating-
“Greater involvement of women in governance, policy, and leadership roles is directly associated with improved development outcomes.”
He made it clear that gender equality is not just about representation but is directly connected to societal progress.
He further warned of the consequences of not addressing the barriers that hinder women’s participation.
“Creating or ignoring barriers for women undermines our pursuit of a better society. Indifference is no longer acceptable.”
– he said, urging a collective responsibility to break down these barriers.
A part of his speech focused on the persistent issue of gendered labor in the household, which often hinders women’s economic progress.
“We have not fully realized the pre-independence hopes for women’s economic participation, partly due to the ongoing gendered division of domestic labor.”
-CJI Chandrachud stated.
He described how women, despite entering the workforce in greater numbers, remain burdened with domestic responsibilities.
“Even as women join the workforce, they remain entangled in domestic responsibilities, balancing work with caregiving tasks. This creates a double burden, as if they are penalized for stepping beyond the domestic sphere.”
– he explained.
The Chief Justice also provided encouraging data on the increasing participation of women in India’s judiciary. He pointed out that in 2023, 58% of the total candidates selected as Civil Judges in Rajasthan were women. Similarly, women made up 66% of the appointments in Delhi and 54% in Uttar Pradesh. In Kerala, 72% of the judicial officers appointed were women.
These statistics indicate a positive trend, but as CJI Chandrachud emphasized, true equality goes beyond numbers.
“Gender equality is a function not only of statistics but a function of lived realities of women,”
-he remarked, emphasizing that real change requires more than just representation.
In a broader critique of societal expectations, CJI Chandrachud discussed the stereotypical assumptions imposed on traditionally excluded groups such as persons with disabilities, transgender individuals, and queer people.
“Our expectations from these groups are often based on stereotypical views of their supposed inherent traits, overlooking their individuality.”
-he said.
He pointed out the double standards that women face as they enter male-dominated professional spaces.
“As women enter traditionally male-dominated professional spaces, they are expected to conform to masculine behaviors. Ironically, they are also expected to adhere to traditional feminine roles, balancing both to avoid disrupting societal expectations.”
-he stated, addressing the unrealistic expectations placed on women in professional environments.
Justice Chandrachud also highlighted the institutional challenges women face, even as they gain entry into previously exclusionary spaces. He remarked,
“Traditionally, women were not prioritized in institutional design. Even as they gain entry into previously exclusive spaces, they often face institutional apathy or hostility.”
This institutional indifference, he noted, results in high attrition rates for women and limits their professional growth.
“The result is high attrition rates and professional stagnation in entry-level and mid-level roles for women,”
– he explained, calling for a systemic overhaul to support women’s sustained career advancement.
CJI DY Chandrachud’s address at the SheShakti event was a powerful call for societal and institutional change. He emphasized that legal provisions, while necessary, are not enough to achieve gender equality. What is needed, according to him, is a transformation in the way society perceives and treats women.
“Indifference is no longer an option,”
-he stated, making it clear that gender equality is a collective responsibility that requires concerted effort across all sectors of society.
