A UNFPA study on gender laws has recommended a separate law against honour killings to ensure that khap panchayats and families victimizing couples are brought to book. The move has been supported by Planning Commission member Sayeeda Hameed who said it should be made an election issue.
The UNFPA report — 'Laws and Son Preference in India: A Reality Check' — has evaluated gender laws to find that legislations meant to protect women may be doing the opposite. Authored by senior advocate Kirti Singh, the report also recommended a new anti-discrimination legal framework to guide laws and policies for women and girls.
The study found that some legal provisions were not just inadequate in checking son preference, but also promoted the practice and ended up being discriminatory for women, such as the Goa law on polygamy that permits second marriage for the husband where there is no son from the first marriage. The study strongly recommended removing such blatantly discriminatory provisions.
"A deeply entrenched preference for sons exists for various reasons including that a son inherits property, whereas a daughter is perceived as more of a burden due to factors such as dowry — a practice that continues to prevail despite being illegal. Laws and their implementation are the backbone of social change. They hold the potential to change mindsets and stem generations of gender discrimination,'' Frederika Meijer, UNFPA representative for India and Bhutan, said.
Advocating a strong law against honour killings, author Kirti Singh said, "Violent, abusive, barbaric acts occur even before killing. There is no law to address this. It is urgently required."
Agreeing to this, Hameed said, "This should be made an election issue. There has to be a separate law to address honour killings."
The UNFPA report — 'Laws and Son Preference in India: A Reality Check' — has evaluated gender laws to find that legislations meant to protect women may be doing the opposite. Authored by senior advocate Kirti Singh, the report also recommended a new anti-discrimination legal framework to guide laws and policies for women and girls.
The study found that some legal provisions were not just inadequate in checking son preference, but also promoted the practice and ended up being discriminatory for women, such as the Goa law on polygamy that permits second marriage for the husband where there is no son from the first marriage. The study strongly recommended removing such blatantly discriminatory provisions.
"A deeply entrenched preference for sons exists for various reasons including that a son inherits property, whereas a daughter is perceived as more of a burden due to factors such as dowry — a practice that continues to prevail despite being illegal. Laws and their implementation are the backbone of social change. They hold the potential to change mindsets and stem generations of gender discrimination,'' Frederika Meijer, UNFPA representative for India and Bhutan, said.
Advocating a strong law against honour killings, author Kirti Singh said, "Violent, abusive, barbaric acts occur even before killing. There is no law to address this. It is urgently required."
Agreeing to this, Hameed said, "This should be made an election issue. There has to be a separate law to address honour killings."
