«My own view is that a women's Torah reading on Simchat Torah (without brachot), like women's tefillah groups generally, are unwise and halachically improper, although not a technical violation of halacha. I have two reasons for this position – the first is a halachic approach and the second a sociological one grounded in halachic values.
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As to the substance of my view: I favor increasing women's participation in Orthodox life and in the synagogue through increased participation in Torah study and other mitzvah-centered activity. As a general rule, I believe that women should be supported and encouraged to do genuine mitzvot, and not directed to activity that only has the superficial appearance of a mitzvah. The halachic defense of women's torah reading (without brachot) is exactly that it is not a proper Torah reading at all (because no minyan is present, women are reading, etc.), and thus I think it an unwise idea because it focuses women away from the central purpose of religious conduct – the performance of mitzvot. Although I do not feel such conduct is assur in the technical sense of the word, I think it is imprudent and unwise, since it is conducted in a way that is designed to mimic the mitzvah of Torah reading in the synagogue, without fulfilling that obligation at all.[2] Women are better served as a matter of halacha attending a regular Torah reading and not merely mimicking a mitzvah.»
Women's Only Torah Reading | Hirhurim – Torah Musings
http://torahmusings.com/2012/10/women%E2%80%99s-only-torah-reading/
Shalom and Best Reagrds,
RRW
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