iMDG2015
Empowerment of Women in India
India is one of those few developing countries today that still sees its women being given inferior treatment due to the interplay of various caste system dynamics & an unprogressive value system that seeks to suppress the spirit of the Indian woman. The phenomenon is rampant in rural areas, where illiteracy & obsolete religious practices place considerable restrictions on the upbringing of the girl child, by depriving her of opportunities to grow as an individual through education and confining her to the four walls of her family, conditioned to think and understand marriage to be her only goal. The urban metropolitan life presents a stark contrast to the realities of rural India. The urban Indian woman is encouraged to pursue her dreams, while maintaining a balance between her professional aspirations and Indian values, thus blending the best of both worlds. This juxtaposition of the urban broadminded Indian and the rural simpleton continues to be a challenge in sowing the seeds of gender equality.
The country has come a long way from its days of evil sati practices that required widows to jump into the funeral pyres of their husbands, or be denied the right to remarry. However, there is a vast bridge to gap in order to truly bring about a change in the status of women in rural India. Female infanticide, being denied the right to be educated, women being deprived of maternal health benefits; these are still serious issues an Indian woman has to contend with. The Constitutional framework of India bestows positive discrimination upon women, by lucidly stating in their various provisions, that women would always be given priority treatment in all respects. A reality check however proves otherwise. A lot of this can be attributed to the psychological implications of the discriminatory practices observed over a period of time, so much so, that it has become a norm. Women have been passive, when their rights have been threatened, and that has only encouraged the perpetrators who commit acts of injustice or crimes against them. A two-fold catalyst that combines education & awareness would play a vital role in arousing women from this state of apathy towards themselves. It would not only influence them positively and foster a sense of identity, but also help them work towards greater independence & self-sufficiency.
Listed below are few of the constitutional provisions that bestow positive discrimination on women
Article 14 in the Indian Constitution ensures equality in political, economic and social spheres.
Article 15 prohibits discrimination against any citizen on the grounds of religion, race, caste, sex etc.
Article 15 (3) of the Indian Constitution allows the State to make any special provision for women and children
Article 16 provides for equality of opportunities in matters of public appointment for all citizens.
Article 23 prohibits trafficking & forced labor
Article 39 (c) ensures equal pay for equal work.
Article 42 makes provisions for just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief.
Other legislative Acts such as the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, Sati Prevention Act, Dowry Prohibition Act and Indecent Representation of Women (Prevention) Act protect women from crimes of rape, abduction, dowry, torture, molestation, sexual harassment and trafficking. Despite such clear legal provisions for the protection and empowerment of women, there seems to be little improvement in their status in society today, from the rural perspective, as most of these problems are faced by girls and women coming from the economically backward classes. Dowry crimes, are however an exception, as it’s applicable to educated, financially independent girls also. It's not only disheartening to know that parents of such an educated generation such as ours, actually demand dowry, its plain pathetic and lowly that marriage alliances are even rejected if the requisite amount isn't paid, making women akin to objects or items put up on auction, only that the buyer doesn't have to pay anything, he gets both the item and the price from the seller!!!!!
Ironically, the ancient Vedic period, saw a very progressive India, when it came to a woman's social status. She was allowed to be educated till whatever age she wished, she studied the Vedas & even attained the status of a scholar in the community. She enjoyed the liberty to choose when she wanted to submit herself to the institution of matrimony & even choose her groom. Ancient Vedic scriptures mention the names of many women sages, and seers, indicating that a woman had the liberty to choose her status in life, and was respected for her choice. The Vedic period saw India at its progressive best, with a rich and educated civilization sprouting forth. However, after the Manusmriti (another scriptural work), along with the Islamic invasion of the Mughal empire in India, the status of women in society degraded considerably, with many restrictions being placed upon her freedoms, which she readily enjoyed in the Vedic period.
Fast forward to the 21st century, the Urban Indian woman is no less different from her once glorious Vedic counterpart, but the scars of a submissive era, still remain part of her psyche; which explains why many women who bear the brunt of violent marriages and abusive husbands, choose to remain silent rather than do something about it. Because doing something about it, say divorce, or separation entails a social stigma, which really doesn't help, especially when parents of such daughters themselves suggest passivity as a remedy. The rural parts of India, still witness gruesome practices such as honor killings, and sati, practices that are banned by all the laws in the country. They might be isolated incidents, or perhaps we hear only of those who have had the courage to speak out loud, but the fact remains, that women in these areas are vulnerable, and without courage. The society must take a stand together, if these problems have to be effectively dealt with. But first, the women of the country need to learn to stand up for themselves, one who cannot help herself, cannot possibly be helped.
Empowerment of Women in India
India is one of those few developing countries today that still sees its women being given inferior treatment due to the interplay of various caste system dynamics & an unprogressive value system that seeks to suppress the spirit of the Indian woman. The phenomenon is rampant in rural areas, where illiteracy & obsolete religious practices place considerable restrictions on the upbringing of the girl child, by depriving her of opportunities to grow as an individual through education and confining her to the four walls of her family, conditioned to think and understand marriage to be her only goal. The urban metropolitan life presents a stark contrast to the realities of rural India. The urban Indian woman is encouraged to pursue her dreams, while maintaining a balance between her professional aspirations and Indian values, thus blending the best of both worlds. This juxtaposition of the urban broadminded Indian and the rural simpleton continues to be a challenge in sowing the seeds of gender equality.
The country has come a long way from its days of evil sati practices that required widows to jump into the funeral pyres of their husbands, or be denied the right to remarry. However, there is a vast bridge to gap in order to truly bring about a change in the status of women in rural India. Female infanticide, being denied the right to be educated, women being deprived of maternal health benefits; these are still serious issues an Indian woman has to contend with. The Constitutional framework of India bestows positive discrimination upon women, by lucidly stating in their various provisions, that women would always be given priority treatment in all respects. A reality check however proves otherwise. A lot of this can be attributed to the psychological implications of the discriminatory practices observed over a period of time, so much so, that it has become a norm. Women have been passive, when their rights have been threatened, and that has only encouraged the perpetrators who commit acts of injustice or crimes against them. A two-fold catalyst that combines education & awareness would play a vital role in arousing women from this state of apathy towards themselves. It would not only influence them positively and foster a sense of identity, but also help them work towards greater independence & self-sufficiency.
Listed below are few of the constitutional provisions that bestow positive discrimination on women
Article 14 in the Indian Constitution ensures equality in political, economic and social spheres.
Article 15 prohibits discrimination against any citizen on the grounds of religion, race, caste, sex etc.
Article 15 (3) of the Indian Constitution allows the State to make any special provision for women and children
Article 16 provides for equality of opportunities in matters of public appointment for all citizens.
Article 23 prohibits trafficking & forced labor
Article 39 (c) ensures equal pay for equal work.
Article 42 makes provisions for just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief.
Other legislative Acts such as the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, Sati Prevention Act, Dowry Prohibition Act and Indecent Representation of Women (Prevention) Act protect women from crimes of rape, abduction, dowry, torture, molestation, sexual harassment and trafficking. Despite such clear legal provisions for the protection and empowerment of women, there seems to be little improvement in their status in society today, from the rural perspective, as most of these problems are faced by girls and women coming from the economically backward classes. Dowry crimes, are however an exception, as it’s applicable to educated, financially independent girls also. It's not only disheartening to know that parents of such an educated generation such as ours, actually demand dowry, its plain pathetic and lowly that marriage alliances are even rejected if the requisite amount isn't paid, making women akin to objects or items put up on auction, only that the buyer doesn't have to pay anything, he gets both the item and the price from the seller!!!!!
Ironically, the ancient Vedic period, saw a very progressive India, when it came to a woman's social status. She was allowed to be educated till whatever age she wished, she studied the Vedas & even attained the status of a scholar in the community. She enjoyed the liberty to choose when she wanted to submit herself to the institution of matrimony & even choose her groom. Ancient Vedic scriptures mention the names of many women sages, and seers, indicating that a woman had the liberty to choose her status in life, and was respected for her choice. The Vedic period saw India at its progressive best, with a rich and educated civilization sprouting forth. However, after the Manusmriti (another scriptural work), along with the Islamic invasion of the Mughal empire in India, the status of women in society degraded considerably, with many restrictions being placed upon her freedoms, which she readily enjoyed in the Vedic period.
Fast forward to the 21st century, the Urban Indian woman is no less different from her once glorious Vedic counterpart, but the scars of a submissive era, still remain part of her psyche; which explains why many women who bear the brunt of violent marriages and abusive husbands, choose to remain silent rather than do something about it. Because doing something about it, say divorce, or separation entails a social stigma, which really doesn't help, especially when parents of such daughters themselves suggest passivity as a remedy. The rural parts of India, still witness gruesome practices such as honor killings, and sati, practices that are banned by all the laws in the country. They might be isolated incidents, or perhaps we hear only of those who have had the courage to speak out loud, but the fact remains, that women in these areas are vulnerable, and without courage. The society must take a stand together, if these problems have to be effectively dealt with. But first, the women of the country need to learn to stand up for themselves, one who cannot help herself, cannot possibly be helped.