Kerala High Court allows women to work in toddy shops

The Kerala High Court struck down a rule that prohibited women from working in toddy shops, allowing Sophy Kunjupalu to seek employment in the sector.

Sophy Kunjupalu, a widow in the Thrissur district, challenged the ban after she was denied a job at a shop where her late husband had worked. She sought the position to support her children, as workers in the toddy sector can earn between Rs 35,000 and Rs 45,000 a month.

The court rejected the state government's argument that the ban was necessary to protect women from harassment in remote locations. Justice P Gopinath ruled that the state should focus on creating safe working environments rather than prohibiting women from choosing their own professions. The court stated that the rule violated constitutional principles of equality and was not a proportionate way to ensure safety.

This ruling follows a similar decision made over a decade ago that removed a ban on women working in bars and retail shops selling Indian-made foreign liquor. While there are 21,000 workers across 4,324 toddy shops in the state, only about 200 women currently work in the sector in cleaning roles. Sophy Kunjupalu plans to join a shop as a saleswoman or manager.