Key Milestones and Barriers in Women’s Rights in India
“The greatest indicator of a society progression is the status of women that holds it up”
The topic presented had two very strong words as subject, Status, and Women. Before we move in further, let us set the premises for status. Broadly speaking, status denotes the influence and prestige a person holds in relation to another person in a social hierarchy of some worth. When we talk about culture as diversified as India holds, the status of women has a lot of dimensions that can be explored.
Earlier, the status of women in India was considered to be inferior when compared to men. They were given higher status in scriptures and were idolized as the perfect homemakers in the world. Women possess incomparable qualities like a calm mind, the strength to overcome any emotional challenge, and handle the toughest situation with ease and optimism. Women keep their families intact and act as the thread which joins all the differences and people together. They are worshiped as goddesses in the name of Durga, Parvati, Kali, and Saraswati.
As times changed, the status of women too changed and reached higher standards. The recent population census conducted by the Government of India, the ratio of women and men in our country is 933 females to every 1000 males.
History
Going back to our ancient roots, we have seen how important women are to society, not just biologically but also as a cultural influence and in that context, women have always held a very significant place in our country. That history has a blend of both good and bad factors, but it has always been significant.
Earlier, women were referred to be the caretakers of the house. It was believed and passed on to others that women are supposed to get married, take care of the house and their in-laws, and also sacrifice all their dreams to fulfill the dreams of her husband and children. Nobody realized or even thought about the dreams and aspirations of women. There was no one to think about the upliftment or betterment of women as everyone thought that the males were the ones who ruled the world and where the head of the family. Women were also expected to make efficient use of the monthly budget so that everything is bought at the most optimum rates and all the expenses are met in the most economical manner.
No matter how hard the situation would be, women were expected to bear it all without uttering a single word. They had to obey whatever was said by the in-laws and other family members but were never included in any decision making of the family. They had to take care of the elders in the family and nurture the children without the help of anyone. They were not allowed to be ambitious and pursue any career. All their ambitions were considered to be vague. Also, the women remained isolated from education as the families back then thought that only the boys deserved to be educated and pursue their dreams. Women were married off at a very early age and sometimes also without their consent. There were only a handful of families which went against this practice and educated their daughters so that they can also live the life they deserve.
These women who got the freedom to education from their families, turned out to be the path setters for other women to follow. They were the ones who became an inspiration for other women and motivated them to follow their ambitions as well. They brought about a change for the betterment of the status of women in Indian Society.
From ancient times, we have seen the mention of women in our Vedas and ancient scriptures where they have been allotted important places for e.g., no yajna was complete unless accompanied by women. The texts Mahabharat and Ramayana greatly reflect the place women had at different points of time. As mentioned earlier, India has a very diverse geography and geography is often very influential in dictating culture, we can see women holding different places in society from household activities in Rajasthan to Traders in Sikkim and North East India, and in between, we see women involved in various professions and competing alongside men in a multitude of fields such as Technology, Law, Administration, Teaching etc. Apart from conventional careers, we have women excelling in sports where P.T. Usha, Sania Mirza, Karnam Malleshwari etc. who have represented and inspired many budding sportswomen in India. Moving on we can see that women have been a great influence on the art and entertainment industry since the very beginning, and we have had cultural icons in various schools of art ranging from Meera to Lata Mangeshkar.
The government has brought several public schemes, reservations, and commissions to further strengthen the position of women in India. Some of the schemes are mentioned below -
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
Women Helpline Scheme
One stop center scheme
UJJAWALA
SWADHAR Greh
Nari Shakti Puraskar
Nirbhaya
Mahila Police Volunteers
Mahila Shakti Kendras (MSK)
Despite the heritage and modern progression, there is a lot that needs to be done. From the age of Manu till today, women have been subject to a lot of demeaning practices, societal negligence and customs designed to confine them and often treated as commodities rather than a human. Child Marriage, Sati, Casual dismissal of opinion and many more. Just to put in perspective, Being a poor and low caste person in India is a very troubled existence, but to be a low caste, a poor woman in India is a very tragic existence which in many cases appears inhuman.
Just going by the numbers, the number of reported cases for Domestic Violence, Crimes of Sexual Nature, Domestic Violence, Child prostitution is alarming high. More than 60 % of girls in rural India quit school as soon as they start their menstrual cycle due to the social taboos and lack of access to hygiene products.
Affluent women from a stronger section of society also face a lot of challenges including eve-teasing, glass ceiling at work, Casual demeaning undertone in various conversation, lack of choice within the family, domestic violence, sexual assault by a close family member and many more.
Almost every woman has an account of molestation at different ages by someone they knew that has caused mental scar and trauma for an extended period. The biggest bane of society i.e. The Dowry System still prevails and has far-reaching implications such as female feticide, not spending on education, limiting her social interactions and impending with her basic rights to pursue a career and life of her choice.
The status of women in India has a lot of dimensions. It can give the illusion of being shiny and progressive from outside and in many cases, it is true that women are making great leaps, we have had lady heads of states in India. But just scratching the surface and we can see the dark, corroded roots that have held back women not just impeding their progress but also presenting uncountable challenges. One of the biggest problems women face when working on their status is the threat to their dignity from almost all sections of society and she must walk a very careful line in order to maintain that balance. I believe it's the responsibility of every person to treat women as a person, not some goddess, not a gatekeeper of family honor but as humans and only then can we work on enriching her status.
Conclusion
To conclude I would like to say that women play multiple roles in our society and status should be honored, respected and given a chance to attain higher status so that we as a society can attain even greater heights.
FAQs on Status of Women in India Essay: Progress, Challenges, and the Way Forward
1. What is the current status of women in India in the 21st century?
The current status of women in India reflects a significant evolution, marked by progress in several key areas. Women's literacy rate has substantially increased, leading to greater participation in higher education and professional fields. They are making their mark in politics, sports, business, and the armed forces. However, this progress coexists with persistent challenges, including issues of safety, the gender pay gap, and underrepresentation in leadership roles. While urban women often have more opportunities, women in rural areas still face significant social and economic barriers.
2. How can I structure an essay on the 'Status of Women in India'?
A well-structured essay on the evolving role of women in Indian society should cover several key points for a comprehensive analysis. A good approach would be:
- Introduction: Start with a strong statement about the journey of Indian women from a historical context to their present-day roles.
- Historical Perspective: Briefly discuss the status of women during different eras, such as the Vedic period, Mughal era, and British rule.
- Post-Independence Progress: Detail the constitutional and legal rights granted to women and the impact of education and social reformers.
- Current Scenario & Achievements: Highlight women's achievements in various fields like politics, science, and business.
- Persistent Challenges: Discuss ongoing issues like gender inequality, violence, and patriarchal mindsets.
- Conclusion: Summarise the progress made and suggest the way forward for achieving true gender equality.
3. What major challenges do women in India still face despite progress?
Despite significant strides, women in India continue to face several deep-rooted challenges. Key among them are:
- Gender-Based Violence: Issues related to domestic violence, sexual harassment, and general safety remain major concerns.
- Economic Disparity: The gender pay gap persists across various sectors, and women are often underrepresented in senior leadership positions.
- Patriarchal Norms: Traditional and patriarchal attitudes in society often restrict women's freedom, choices, and access to resources like education and property.
- Health and Nutrition: Women, particularly in rural areas, often suffer from poor nutrition and inadequate access to healthcare facilities.
4. How did the status of women in modern India evolve from the Vedic period?
The status of women has seen a complex evolution since ancient times. In the Early Vedic period, women often enjoyed a higher status, participating in religious ceremonies and public assemblies, and had access to education. However, in the Later Vedic and subsequent periods, including the Mughal era, their status declined due to the rise of patriarchal systems, leading to practices like child marriage and Sati. The modern era, especially post-independence, marks a conscious effort to reverse this decline through constitutional safeguards and social reforms, aiming to restore and elevate their position in society.
5. Why is improving the status of women considered crucial for India's development?
Improving the status of women is not just a matter of social justice but a critical factor for national development. When women are educated, healthy, and empowered, the entire society benefits. An empowered female population contributes to a higher Gross Domestic Product (GDP), improves family health and nutrition, and leads to lower child mortality rates. Their participation in the workforce brings diverse perspectives and skills. A society that provides equal opportunities to all its citizens is fundamentally more stable, prosperous, and progressive.
6. What key government initiatives have been launched to empower women in India?
The Government of India has launched several schemes to empower women and promote gender equality. Some of the most significant initiatives include:
- Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao: A flagship program focused on preventing female foeticide and promoting the education of girls.
- Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana: A small savings scheme designed to secure the financial future of the girl child.
- Mahila Shakti Kendra: A program that aims to empower rural women through community participation and by creating an environment for them to realise their full potential.
- National Creche Scheme: Provides daycare facilities to the children of working mothers, enabling them to join the workforce.
7. What are some key constitutional provisions that safeguard the rights of women in India?
The Constitution of India provides several provisions to ensure gender equality and protect women's rights. Key among these are:
- Article 14: Guarantees equality before the law for all citizens.
- Article 15(1): Prohibits discrimination against any citizen on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.
- Article 15(3): Empowers the State to make special provisions for the benefit of women and children.
- Article 39(a) and 39(d): Direct the state to secure the right to an adequate means of livelihood and ensure equal pay for equal work for both men and women.
These are supplemented by laws like the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, and the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961.
