On Dr BR Ambedkar's Birth Anniversary, Let Us Revisit His Views On Gender Equality

Father of India constitution and Dalit rights activist Dr BR Ambedkar may be long gone, but the relevance and weightage of his thought-provoking words never diminished. Born on April 14, 1891, in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, today marks the birth anniversary of the former minister of law and order- a day that is widely celebrated in our country. It is to celebrate the architect of the Indian Constitution's contribution to the making of present-day India.

His prominent contributions to the cause of women's empowerment include the Maternity Benefit Act, wherein he argued for the rest period required by mothers during the prenatal period. He also played an important role in the formation of the Hindu Marriage Act of 1955, wherein he stressed upon inclusion the right to divorce, adopt, marry by choice, amongst others for women's welfare.

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What better way is there to celebrate the day than to remember the powerful and reforming words of Babasaheb.

Here are some Babasaheb Ambedkar quotes on gender equality:

- "I measure the progress of a community by the degree of progress which women have achieved." Ambedkar said this in 1927 in front of a crowd of more than 3,000 women.

- In 1936, he urged women belonging to the Joginis and Devadasis communities to fight against the regressive religious practices of offering pubescent girls to gods in temples. "You will ask me how to make your living. I am not going to tell you that. There are hundreds of ways of doing it. But I insist that you give up this degraded life...and do not live under conditions which inevitably drag you into prostitution."

- "A son also would get a share as equal to a girl's share in the mother's property." Ambedkar had once said. He had also reformed property rights by introducing clauses that allowed women the personal choice to file for legal divorces.

- While arguing the maternity benefit legislation for women, he said, "I believe that it is in the interest of the nation that the mother ought to get a certain amount of rest during the pre-natal period and also subsequently. I am prepared to admit this fact because the conservation of the people's welfare is primarily the concern of the government."

- Talking about the women-run movements in the country, Babasaheb said, "I strongly believe in movements run by women. If they are truly taken into confidence, they may change the present picture of a society which is very miserable. In past, they have played a significant role in improving the conditions of weaker sections and classes."

- On women's education he said, "We shall see better days soon and our progress will be greatly accelerated if male education is persuaded side by side with female education."