Hi, we meet again. Glad to talk to you on an issue we feel needs continuous dialogue and discussion. Women, oh no, not women, the secondary sex, yes. Don’t you feel so? Time and again, instead of moving ahead touching new developments and the greater scientific realm we have to come back and talk about women. Why?
Sometimes it feels like instead of equality we are always in a power struggle. At the last of the pyramid stands the women. This reflects over and over again in our society. Its attitudes, behavior, and knowledge about gender. There are hundreds of news articles on violence, the discrimination you can find on an everyday basis.
What is the Case?
In the latest verdict which again highlights there should not be any unfair discrimination against women athletes with disabilities on grounds of race, gender, sex, marital status, ethnic or social origin, color, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, language, and birth.
Now, imagine the state of being of women athletes with disabilities, dealing with not just the prejudice around disability but also stripped off their rights.
On December 20, the Madras High Court directed the Centre and the state government not to discriminate against women athletes with disabilities.
“There should not be any unfair discrimination against women athletes with disabilities on grounds of race, gender, sex, marital status, ethnic or social origin, color, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, language, and birth,” Justice R Mahadevan said.
The women athletes are to be provided with adequate financial assistance, free medical service, and all other requisites to participate in all the national and international events, the judge added.
The verdict was in response to a writ petition from M Sameeha Barvin of Chennai, praying for a direction to the chairman of All India Sports Council of the Deaf in New Delhi to include her name in the final selection list and send her to participate in the 4th World Deaf Athletics Championship, which was conducted in Poland from 23 to 28 August this year.
The Final Orders
Passing final orders, the judge observed that this is a case of discrimination based on the gender as well as the disability. The petitioner had faced several difficulties and barriers in participating in the international event.
The Central and the state governments, being the competent authorities to provide and ensure support and safety to sportswomen with disabilities should inspire their confidence freely and take part actively in the events at all levels.
“Therefore, in exercise of the power conferred under Article 226 of the Constitution and to render substantial justice, this court issues the following directions to the respondent authorities for the purpose of streamlining the policy qua woman athletes with disabilities, in consultation with experts, so as to enable them to participate in all the events at State, National and International levels, with equality and dignity,” the judge said and directed the authorities concerned to follow proper selection process, so as to enable the meritorious candidates to participate in the international events.
In the Other Directions
The other directions included a proper selection process to enable the meritorious candidates to participate in the events. Their fullest potential and capabilities to achieve success in all the events, must be used.
They should be provided with all disabled-friendly materials, clothes, prosthetics, and other accessories that may be required in the day-to-day affairs, with incentives so as to encourage and nurture their excellence in the respective sport and to participate in the events at all levels.
Along with that, it is equally important to boost their confidence to take part actively in the events at all levels by ensuring their safety and security. The judge noted that the male counterparts should sensitize the sense of equality in their mind, so as to maintain a safe environment for women athletes at all levels.
Conclusion
Well, time and again, we write and read and we forget. Till the time we start practicing what we are reading, we will be unable to create an ecosystem of equal opportunities and recognition for the women and other marginalized. Hence, it is important for each one of us to take cognizance of whatever level, the profession we are at in the society that there is no secondary sex, there is nobody beneath us. The women today are equally competent, hardworking, and ambitious as their male counterparts, and in no way should she be held back or beneath.