A widow, a toddy shop and a fight to break Kerala’s glass ceiling

In July 2024, Sophy Kunjupalu, a widow from Thrissur district in Kerala, approached a toddy shop where her late husband had worked. She was denied employment due to a law that barred women from being hired in toddy shops. Undeterred, Sophy took her case to court, where the Kerala High Court ruled in her favor in August 2024, stating that the prohibition violated principles of equality.

As Kerala celebrates its 70th anniversary on November 1, 2024, Sophy's victory marks a significant step towards breaking the glass ceiling in a traditionally male-dominated workplace.

For Sophy, a native of Ponjanam in Thrissur, the court case was not merely about gender equality. It was a fight for survival, as workers in the toddy sector earn between Rs 35,000 and Rs 45,000 per month, depending on sales. After her husband's death, Sophy and her family relied on her income to make ends meet. When she applied for a job at the toddy shop in July 2024 under compassionate grounds, her request was rejected under Rule 7(37) of the Kerala Abkari Shops and Disposal Rules, 2002.

The male-dominated trade unions and the licensee opposed her application, citing a lack of provisions for women in sales positions. Sophy's father had also worked in a toddy shop, and she believed that working in a toddy shop was no more dangerous than other workplaces.

The High Court's ruling last month obliged the government to reconsider its stance on employing women in toddy shops, as it violates constitutional provisions. While the state has an obligation to ensure women's safety, it cannot prohibit women from working in any industry they choose. The ruling could lead to the recruitment of more women in the toddy sector, bringing gender diversity to what was once an all-male workplace.