The European Institute for gender equality defines women empowerment as the “process by which women gain power and control over their own lives and acquire the ability to make strategic choices.” And Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot believes that the practice of wearing a ghoonghat can restrict a woman from achieving it.
According to The Times of India, on November 5, the CM attended the 20th-anniversary celebrations of an NGO called Ekal Nari Shakti Sangathan in Jaipur and elaborated on the matter.
समाज को एक महिला को घूंघट में कैद करने का अधिकार नहीं है, नारी को घूंघट में कैद नहीं कर सकते।
नारी को जब दुर्गा कहते हैं तो उसकी भी देश के निर्माण में भागीदारी होनी चाहिए…अब ज़माना बदल चुका है, हिम्मत और हौसले के साथ महिलाओं को आगे बढ़ना होगा, सरकार आपको हमेशा साथ खड़ी मिलेगी। pic.twitter.com/g1zKsm8WAG— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) November 5, 2019
The Indian Express quoted him saying,
“There still is ghoonghat in villages. What right does a society have to restrict a woman in a ghoonghat. Women can’t progress as long as there is ghoonghat. The days of ghoongat are over. You have to proceed with courage and confidence; you will find the government standing with you.”
He further added,
“You can’t restrain a woman with ghoonghat. When they are addressed as Durga and Devi, then they should have participation in nation-building. I would like to tell you that the times have changed.”
दुर्गा के रूप में आप सभी यहां बैठी हुई हो आप सब को मुबारकबाद। आपके अंदर काम करने का और संघर्ष करने का जज़्बा है…संघर्ष का जो जज़्बा इंदिरा जी में था मेरा मानना है, वो देश की प्रत्येक नारी में होना चाहिए तभी देश आगे बढ़ेगा।
:एकल नारी शक्ति संगठन की 20वीं वर्षगांठ के समारोह में। pic.twitter.com/YUlMe9Dixw
— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) November 5, 2019
Hindustan Times reports that the CM also spoke against the practice of child marriage, the appointment of a senior police officer to oversee cases of crimes against women at the district level and the government’s initiative of providing self-defense training to school girls. At the event, he also released an inspirational book about single women.
At the 20th anniversary function of Ekal Nari Shakti Sangathan, inaugurated a unique event, celebrating Bahina Dooj. Also released a book, 'Badlav ki Misal – Ekal Mahilayen, about how single women are bringing a positive change in the society. #WomenEmpowerment #Rajasthan pic.twitter.com/SlDX8a08tC
— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) November 5, 2019
Here is what Twitter had to say about his statements at the event.
https://twitter.com/Aagneya2/status/1191739599048998913
Rajasthani or Marwaris suffer from this social evil of Purdah Partha. We in Marwari Sammelan launched campaign against it with workers went house to house to remove Ghoonghat and faced lathis. Ashok ji Your call is highly appreciated to fight this social evil
— SITARAM SHARMA (@SITARAM22505796) November 5, 2019
A bold statement coming from Rajasthan CM.Trolls please don't target this comment with jibes about burqas. Gehlot's words are more aimed at helping women in his state who are too much bound by tradition to drop some practices & face a new world.
— lakshmi iyer (@liyer) November 5, 2019
https://twitter.com/hi_paresh/status/1191738554847764480
We sincerely hope that the state government’s efforts to bring down cases of child marriages and crimes against women bear fruit so that girls can complete their education and women feel safe inside as well as outside their homes.