Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Women’s Commission chairperson P. Sathidevi on Friday said that laws protecting women are not against men, but exist for women’s safety.

She made the remarks while inaugurating a media workshop organised jointly by the Kerala Women’s Commission, Pathanamthitta Press Club, and the District Information Office.

Historical context of women’s protection

Sathidevi traced the origins of women’s protection laws to British India. “Laws on how to protect women existed during British India. British judges implemented laws to safeguard women in India,” she said.

She explained that these laws prioritised women’s well-being and autonomy. Courts themselves, she noted, were established during the British era, providing long-standing institutional support for women’s safety.

Modern relevance and observed paradox

Highlighting the continuing importance of women’s protection laws in a male-dominated society, Sathidevi said: “In a country dominated by male leadership at home, in society and workplaces, women’s protection laws remain highly relevant.”

She also pointed out a paradox in abuse cases. “Women themselves often come up as accused in sexual assault cases against other women,” she said. “In cases of sex rackets, it has been observed that women are part of working against women.”

Sathidevi addressed the question of a separate men’s commission in Kerala, stating, “It is not yet time to set up a male commission in Kerala.”

Mission Men’s Commission

It may be noted that the Mission Men’s Commission, led by men’s rights activist and YouTuber Rahul Easwar, recently announced plans to launch a 24-hour help desk for men in Kerala. The initiative comes in the wake of public attention on Deepak, who died by suicide after a video of a woman accusing him of sexual harassment went viral.

The Mission Men’s Commission has also been advocating for the formation of a State Men’s Commission, modelled on the Kerala Women’s Commission and the Kerala State Youth Commission. The body aims to provide a platform for men facing alleged fabricated harassment cases, highlighting the demand for institutional support similar to women’s protection mechanisms.