They must rise with resilience, seize every opportunity, take up any job and fight to secure their economic independence and dignity,” says Sophy Kunjipalu, who waged a determined legal battle and launched agitations to defend her right to work in a toddy shop following her husband’s death in 2024. Thrissur : “Even in the face of the gravest crisis, women must never give up.
“My husband’s family and my children were also extremely supportive,” she told TOI. With no other source of income, Sophy said her livelihood was at stake. The job was essential to support her family, particularly as her two children were still students.
Because of their gender, she said, adding that the right to earn a livelihood must be determined by ability, not gender, no profession should be denied to women simply. Welcoming the latest high court order permitting women to work in toddy shops, Sophy asserted that there should be no room for gender discrimination in the workplace. She stressed that the onus was now on the authorities to ensure a safe, secure and dignified working environment for women.