India
Kerala court ends ban on women working in toddy shops
The Indian Express·
The Kerala High Court struck down a rule barring women from toddy shop jobs after Sophy Kunjupal challenged a 2024 refusal under Rule 7(37) of the Abkari Shops Rules. Justice P Gopinath held the ban violated equality after 28 hearings. Sophy sought work after her husband died. Toddy workers earn Rs 35,000 to Rs 45,000 monthly, the report said.
Prism
What It Means For You
- Women may apply for sales or manager roles at toddy shops once licensees follow the court order.
- Higher shop wages cited in the case exceed what Sophy said she could earn elsewhere at her age.
- Trade unions that blocked her two-month trial job may face new hiring decisions under the ruling.
What's Happening
- Sophy petitioned in August 2024 after compassionate hiring was denied in Irinjalakuda range.
- The government argued remote shop locations justified keeping women out for safety.
- A 2010s ruling on bar jobs led to women staffing Indian-made foreign liquor outlets statewide.
Access to toddy sector jobs
- Rule 7(37) of the 2002 Abkari rules had barred women in sales sections while allowing cleaning roles.
- Board chair N V Chandrababu said Sophy would be the first woman in front-of-house toddy work.
- Kerala marked its state formation anniversary on November 1 as the judgment was reported.
all-news