Constitutional Safeguards and the Pursuit of Gender Justice in India

The concept of gender justice is an essential component of India’s constitutional philosophy, rooted inthe ideals of equality, liberty, and dignity enshrined in the Preamble and Fundamental Rights. TheIndian Constitution lays a robust framework for promoting gender equality through variousprovisions, including Articles 14, 15, and 16, which prohibit discrimination and guarantee equalopportunities irrespective of gender. Additionally, Directive Principles of State Policy andFundamental Duties further reinforce the commitment to achieving substantive equality between menand women. Over the years, the judiciary has played a transformative role in interpreting constitutionalguarantees to expand the scope of gender justice, addressing issues such as workplace discrimination,reproductive rights, domestic violence, and representation in public life. However, despite these legalsafeguards, the persistent challenges of patriarchy, socio-economic inequality, and gender-basedviolence continue to hinder the realization of true gender justice. This paper critically examines theconstitutional provisions, legislative measures, and judicial pronouncements that shape India’s genderjustice framework while evaluating the gaps between constitutional ideals and social realities.