Guwahati, Sept. 13: Economic empowerment is a vital precondition for the economic development of women. This was stated by Justice Ruma Pal, judge of the Supreme Court, while delivering the second Kamakhya Ram Borooah Lecture on Gender Justice here today.

“India today is far from developed, as half its population does not enjoy even basic human rights. If women have access to resources, they can be capable of what men can do. We should unlearn the stereotypical gender roles,” said Pal.

“Violence against women in various spheres is an offshoot of economic dependence. Gender discrimination hampers the growth of personality, family and society. The fight for gender justice is not a war by women against men. It is a human problem,” she said.

Speaking on the occasion, former Gauhati University former vice-chancellor N.K. Choudhury said, “In order to achieve gender justice there should be equal property rights and the age of marriage for both girls and boys should be the same.”

The function was inaugurated by Justice P.P. Naolekar, chief justice, Gauhati High Court and presided over by Justice S.N. Phukan, chairman of the Assam Human Rights Commission.