Commentary/E M S Namboodiripad
Without liberty for women there can be no liberty for men
I would like to discuss the problems that women face today.
Basically, there are three. The
first is exploitation. Equality for women
is imperative to solve this. The second is that
many do not recognise women as part of a system. Today's women are
part of the working class and peasant movements. The third problem
is the deprivations she is suffering as a citizen of the country.
The women's movement should try to involve women in all walks
of life.
Women's liberalisation is pertinent everywhere. As per Hindu custom, a women is always under the control
of men. In her childhood she is controlled by her father, in her youth
by her husband and in old age by her son. Muslim and
Christian women are always under the control of their religion.
Atrocities on women are common. All religions treat women
as second class members. The atrocities on women will end only when they
are treated as equals. This is what is needed today.
When we say women are part of a class
it means they are part of the entire population. A united front
consisting of working class and peasant organisations can do a lot to solve the basic problems mentioned earlier.
Women should be given due representation in politics. Unfortunately, the Bill providing for one-third reservation to women in Parliament
and state assemblies could not be passed due to strong opposition from certain quarters. I hope that everybody
will join together to get the Bill passed during the current Parliament session.
What we need to understand is that the problems facing women are not theirs alone. It involves the men too. Without liberty for them, how can there be liberty for men? After all, they constitute nearly half of our population. Thus, it is our commmon need to solve
the problems confronting women and ensure equality
for them in the society.
I think the progressive movement in the country
can do a lot in this regard.
E M S Namboodiripad is the doyen of the Marxist movement in India.
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