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Wednesday, September 28, 2005

Empowerment of Women

Amit Varma had commented on this move by the Haryana government in this blog. Is this a case of disempowering women? I tend to disagree with him. I am all for women's empowerment and equality. I know many of my friends work night shifts in Bangalore and Chennai. But I've also heard stories of terror, fear and harassment at night. In one instance, a drunken taxi driver made an obscene comment to one of my friends because she worked nights. She made a complaint to the taxi company but it went on deaf ears. I wouldn't really trust the Police Force of our nation especially when it comes to women. When we hear stories of rape and harassment at police stations, what confidence would we have in the police?
Empowerment has some meaning only when backed up with proper measures for infringement of certain rights. If empowerment means, "Alright, you can do what you want. But you're also responsible for whatever happens to you", that makes me think twice. I don't think I'd want to work nights and then get harassed in return. I'd rather find a day job and be happy with it. Perhaps the Haryana government had in mind the inefficiency and corruption of the police force when they passed this?

9 comments:

Rags said...

I agree with you...Empowering women is not only giving equal opportunites but also to create a climate which aids it. The Haryana govt has failed in providing the climate.

Prabhu said...

so are u tending to disagree with the govt move or with amit verma's blog? - that remains unclear.

anyways, putting things into perspective, i would incline towards the government's move asking BPO to avoid women working in the night.

Agnibarathi said...

If you ask me honestly, this idea of night shift itself should be totally banned. It has become an accepted norm today that anybody in an IT/BPO industry is bound to work late nights! This way we'll all end up burnouts by 30s.

JB said...

I second you !
Infact i had quit my previous job due to the pressure to work in night shifts for a production support project...! Oops..Its a real pain..being a girl..and you really dont have any security as your blog points..

Jeevan said...

empowering women on night work is very risky. how many of them know she is working.

Anonymous said...

Nobody cried when blue collar workers were doing 3 shifts and were running round the clock tirelessly.

It is a shame when govenrment says it cannot maintain law and order.

-vv

Gnana Kirukan said...

I concur with Agni - night shifts should be banned! Luckily for me - I have never ever stayed awake the whole night in my life - even if its shivarathri! :))

Ram said...

This is arrogance from Haryana govt. This is like saying indirectly that women will be raped if they work night shifts. Enna panradhu fate of India.....

Narayanan Venkitu said...

No Govt..in my opinion has created a good climate for women. I have a feeling that KERALA is little ahead in this...maybe due to the literacy.!