Misogyny: Are Personal Laws Androcentric?

Abstract

The age-old prejudice of misogyny is still retained in insidious form even in legislations. There are numerous international conventions, as well as Constitutional provisions which claim to set man and woman on an equal plane. In India, one legislative sphere which prima facie appears to perpetuate the gender divide are the personal laws. In India, except for the State of Goa, personal matters are determined on the basis of religion. Different religions follow different laws, but what is common to them all, is the secondary position accorded to women. This paper discusses the international provisions dealing with equal human rights such as, Charter of the United Nations, 1945, The Universal Declaration of Human Rights,1948, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 1966, International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, 1966 and The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. The paper elaborates on the Constitutional provisions providing for equality as well investigates whether the personal law provisions applicable to the Hindu, Muslim, and Christian women dealing with marriage, divorce, guardianship, and inheritance are discriminatory and misogynistic in nature. The paper studies the laws from date of enactment till the present day. The method of study is doctrinal. As a road map or suggestion, the analogous provisions of the Uniform Civil Code in Goa are highlighted. Judicial precedents are cited, suggestions are put forward.