The former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission Shivaraj Patil has said that development could not be achieved without utilising the potential of women, who formed almost 50 per cent of human resources in the country. Delivering the 33rd annual convocation of Gulbarga University here on Friday, Mr. Patil said, “They (women) suffer in silence and are subjected to inequities and inequality.”
He said that the role of women in the development of the country was significant and to tap this potential they should be educated enlightened, strengthened and protected.
“This need not be necessarily be done on mercy or only on the basis of reservation and should be done on their merit,” he said. Mr. Patil said that women who had performed exceedingly well as Prime Ministers, judges, Ministers, scientists, teachers, entrepreneurs, astronauts, administrators have a disproportionate share in the government, the legislature, the judiciary and business.
He said that gender equality and development requires an inclusive deliberation process. While ensuring participatory process it should not be mere token flag waving and should permeate through the economic, social and political aspects, he added.
He said that even today 94 per cent of working women are in the unorganised sector. “In order to ensure full and effective participation of women in sustainable development, it is necessary to ensure gender justice, gender mainstreaming and gender budgeting,” he said.
Turning to the responsibilities of the centres of higher education, Mr. Justice Patil said that they should serve as centres of service and their greatness can be judged by the number of graduates who go out of campus as vibrant, compassionate and good human being.
