Hyderabad: Former Telangana High Court judge Justice G. Radha Rani said gender discrimination persists despite technological progress in the country and described the situation as deeply painful.
She made the remarks while addressing International Women’s Day celebrations organised by the People’s Education Trust. During her speech, she highlighted continuing inequalities faced by women in family life, workplaces, and society.
Justice Radha Rani questioned why childcare responsibilities are largely assigned to women even when both parents share equal roles in raising children. She also asked why companies that grant long leave for household responsibilities do not extend similar provisions to men.
“Is childcare only the responsibility of women?” she asked, stressing the need for equal participation of both parents in family responsibilities.
She also observed that many women today hesitate to marry even after the age of 30 due to insecurity and social pressures. According to her, these concerns reflect persistent gender discrimination despite advances in education and technology.
Gender discrimination persists in marriage and maintenance issues
Justice Radha Rani also raised concerns about rising dowry harassment cases and the difficulties faced by women after divorce. She said many women struggle to secure maintenance even after paying substantial dowries at the time of marriage.
She further noted that some husbands avoid paying maintenance by quitting jobs or transferring assets to relatives. In other cases, she added, men have sought maintenance from working wives, which reflects the complex legal and social challenges faced by families.
Calling for a broader change in societal attitudes, the former judge said women still lack equal rights in areas such as inheritance and access to justice. She remarked that ideally men should organise Women’s Day celebrations to acknowledge and respect the role of women in society.
People’s Education Trust Chairman Dr. C. H. Balakrishna, former Transport Commissioner C. L. N. Gandhi, senior journalist Masade Lakshmi Narayana, and several other dignitaries attended the programme.