Mindset must change from making concessions for women to recognising their entitlements: CJI

New Delhi [India], September 16 : Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, delivered a powerful keynote address at the SheShakti event in New Delhi on September 16, 2024, organized by a media outlet. He emphasized the need for society to move beyond making concessions for women and, instead, to recognize their entitlements.
Addressing the larger issue of women's rights and safety, CJI Chandrachud pointed out that while legal provisions exist to safeguard women's interests in both public and private spaces, changing societal mindsets is crucial for real justice.
He opened his address by discussing the broad challenges facing women today, which include the need for equal opportunities and dignity. The CJI stressed that women's rights are not just a women's issue, highlighting how he had personally learned valuable lessons from his female colleagues.
CJI Chandrachud referenced the important role women have played in shaping India's rights framework, mentioning feminist Hansa Mehta, who drafted the Indian Women's Charter of Life before the adoption of the Indian Constitution.
He further stated that women's equal participation in governance and leadership roles leads to better development outcomes.
However, to achieve this, the ongoing issue of gendered domestic labour must be addressed. For true gender equality, the focus must be on leveling the playing field and understanding women's lived realities, beyond just statistical representation.