ILLUMINATING THE DARKNESS BENEATH THE LAMP : WOMEN RIGHTS TILL NOW

THIS ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN BY VAISHALI MALHOTRA, A STUDENT AT KURUKSHETRA UNIVERSITY.

Abstract

Women is just like a one wheel of the cart which supports livelihood, household, procuration of children. As per the recent gender inequality index 2017 it was seen that the rank is placed just 127 out of 160 whereas maternal motility is 174 out of 100000. Moreover, women in parliament are just 11.60% which is very low and only 39% of females over 25 are provided with secondary education which is very important for a career perspective. The worth of a civilization of a nation like India can be judged by analysing the place given to the women in our society as we are the followers of great goddesses like durga Without Women household cant move further. Alike men also have equal rights guaranteed by the constitution of India. We are to be treated as equal as men. Generally, India has a male dominating society which is wrong in my opinion. Government should take all the necessary steps ensure equality to women and improve the status of women in Indian society.

Introduction

Status of the women in India has been suffered from many distinctive changes of the past few year.Is the compare the status of women from the ancient to modern period,The status gradually improved a bit, be it human right,social right,political right, equal right, regional right, economical right etc. Women is just like a one wheel of the cart which supports the livelihood,household,procuration of children.As per the recent gender inequality index 2017 it was seen that the rank is placed just 127 out of 160 whereas maternal motility is 174 out of 100000.Moreover,women in parliament are just 11.60% which is very low and only 39% females over 25 are provided with the secondary education which is very important for a career perspective.The worth of a civilization of a nation like India can be judged by analysing the place given to the women in our society as we are the followers of great goddesses like durga etc.But in later period,The respect we had given to our goddesses in a mythological age Was disappeared or in other words we can say the status of women went on degrading due to muslim rulers coercion.

Historical background : status of women in Indian society in different era.

Ancient India

In the ancient period or Vedic period women are provided with equal status and equal rights like men in every aspect of life.There are many books that act as a evidentary proof that depicts the involvement of women in literary work and they were educated at that time also for example there are many ancient Indian literary books such as Patanjali and katyayana.In the Vedic age there was a notion of practice cold as swayamvar or live in relation called as Gandharwa vivah.In Swayamvar mature women got a chance to select their own husband in a big fact ceremony which was mentioned in rig Veda and Upanishads. In Mahabharat this practice was seen as the story suggests: Draupadi was married to 5 men which depicts the state of matchmaking by the way of polygamy as well as polyandry marriage. At that period women are free to choose their partners according to their wish only in an assembly as Swayamvar in which father of a bride would invite all the men who are ready to marry that girl what ceremony and the women select one of her choice. This clearly depicts that women were given rights to choose her life partner. This practice has been practiced till the 10th century. Puranas, the extreme source of history also shows the respect given by every God to their respective wives for example Vishnu with Lakshmi, Shiva with Parvati, brahma with Sarasvati. In ancient time, sacred place of worship was set up for both god and Goddesses equally. Where is in the Gupta period, special preferences to the women were not seen.

Mediaeval period

In mediaeval period, there was a rule of Muslims which after the supreme source of degrading the status of women at that period. The rule of muslim emperor brought changes to the status of women in Indian society. Basically, the position of women at that period was Deteriorated. Many practices were the most notable examples that latest position of women in the society. One such practice was known as jauhar. In this practice, after the death of rajput ruler of Rajasthan , wife of the rulers emoluted themselves into the fire . For example Rani Padmavati. After that in 10th century there was a evolution of that systnoem in in some parts of India by converting the the practice into its worst form. In western India, after the death of ruler, wives and daughters were being confined and made to act like a Slave. Whereas spouses of Muslim rulers also faced the discrimination treatment by their husbands as they where following the path of islamic precepts which were written in Sharia law. Muslim women were made to be in veil and had to wear burqa or niqab . Along with this they were not allowed to go outside their home without male guardian. According to Sharia law, who was no such provision of property to women must be inherited to her. However in mediaeval, there were notable grounds to depict that women often being significant in various fields literature, education, point of view building, politics etc.

There are many practices which denotes the status of women in ancient era which are discussed below:

Sati system

Sati system was an old custom among various communities is the widow has to immolated alive on a husband’s funeral area. This practice mark its presence after the visiting of foreign persons to Indian subcontinent. However, it was abolished by the British government in 1829. Since Independence there were around 40 plus cases of Sati system. There was a separate promulgation which was enacted for the eradication  or Sati practice in any part of India. That promulgation was named as the commission of sati Prevention Act which was enacted after the leading case of Roop Kanwar.

Devadasi system

In this system women were dedicated to God and were regarded as  a thing that is given in marriage to God. That means those women were not allowed to do marriage. These women were socially weak, financially weak does not have any family background as such. Those women’s learnt various kinds of art such as various forms of dance like Kathakali, singing music, playing sitar etc . Devadasi system was seen in 7th century 40 the southern parts of Indian continent. Those women were prominently invited in various of the religious and sacred rituals. After the death of emperors this practice goes to the darker shade of the scene as this practice degenerated into the process of prostitution.

British period

British period many reformers were there such as Mohan Roy and Jyoti Rao Phule oh really make efforts begin the status or position of women in the Indian society was in a mythological period. In this period , for the improvement of the lifestyle of widows, encouraged to remarry buy in acting a promulgation named as widow remarriage act 1856. Further 1970 the very first women’s delegation met at secretary of state to demand the various political rights to the women that is also supported by a party named as Indian National Congress which was in power at that time. The All India Women’s education conference was held in Pune in 1927 with accordance to it. This conference act as a time changer in the social conditions of women in Indian society.1929 the child marriage restraint Act was passed which districts marriage below 14 years of age.

Female foeticide

On international parameters India is considered to be in few countries where males are more than females. In India there is a structural imbalance  in the country. There are also local differences from Northern Western region such as Punjab Haryana where the sex ratio is as high as 125 2002 Eastern India example Kerala in Andhra Pradesh where sex ratios are around 105. In accordance to this sex determination practice was also legally banned in 1996. Female foeticide is accomplished by attempting three activities which is followed:

• Selective abortions
• Murdering of female child
• Abandonment of female babies
• Selling of female child
• Discrimination against women as a child

With comparison of male child, even special treatment in the India boys are given more nutrition value more Healthcare facilities more financial resources more education opportunities as compared to the girl child. Guardians were always discriminate in each and every aspect of life. Definition of nutrition value in girl child resulted into various harmful consequences such as they got struck by various diseases like anaemia etc.

Discrimination against women as a widow

In ancient time, impure treated as impure and were not allowed to attend any religious and spiritual ceremonies. Windows were always harassed by her family members and treated as impure in the society.

Discrimination against women for inheritance purposes

There was a notable discrimination against women for inheritance porpoises what we can say that women’s doesn’t have any property rights in her father’s property as well as in her husband’s property at that time.

Child marriage

Child marriage was very common practice in ancient time. Girls were forced to marry older men . But after the promulgation of Child Marriage Act, gradually the situation of child marriage  improves.

Status of women in Independent India

The situation of women are very much improved as compared to the ancient time. Now the womens are empowered and provided with equal rights men have. Women’s in India nowadays participate fully in various activities and every field suggest education field sports field political field media and culture service sector private sector Science and Technology etc. The backbone of India’s law that is no system that is constitution of India various such rights to women for the empowerment and the protection of their human rights. The constitution of India guarantees each and every women irrespective of their caste colour religion Creed equality in terms of each and every aspects of life which is stated under Article 14, there is no discrimination by the state Article 15 , opportunity Article 16, end protection of human rights of women’s such as decision of Triple talaq as well as decision of Sabrimala temple which was given on 28 September 2018. Government of India declared 2001 as year of women’s empowerment there was a startup of policy named as equal pay for equal work Article 39 and Article 42. Moreover, constitution of India provides special provisions to be made by the state in favour of the women and children which ensures dignity of women. Many such steps were taken by the Indian government as well as edition system of India schemes and amendments for the empowerment a the national policy for the empowerment of women came into force in 2001.

Some of the women achievements in India are as follows:

1. Chandramukhi Basu kadambini and Ganguly became the first female graduates of India and the British Empire in 1883.
2. Kadambini ganguly and Anandi Gopal Joshi became the first woman from India to be trained in western medicine in 1886
3. Sister Nivedita girls’ School was inaugurated in 1898 which prominent effect on the Indian society
4. In 1960 the very first Women’s University SNDT women’s university was founded on 2 June 1965 the social reformer Keshav Karve with just only 5 students.
5. In 1970 Annie Besant became the very first female President of Indian National Congress Party.
6. In 1925 Sarojini Naidu very first Indian born female President of Indian National Congress.
7. In 1951 premature of the Deccan Airways become the very first Indian woman to be a commercial pilot.
8. In 1959 Anna Chandy become the very first Indian woman judge of high court.
9. In 1966 captain Durga Banerjee become the very first Indian woman pilot of the indian Airlines
10. Indira Gandhi became the first woman prime minister of India.
11. In 1972 Kiran Bedi become the very first female to recruit as a Indian police service
12. Owner Global parameters in 1979 Mother Teresa of India win the Nobel peace prize becoming the very first Indian female citizen to do so.
13. 1991 Mumtaz Qadri became the first Asian woman to drive a diesel locomotive in September.
14. On 4th June 2009 Meera Kumar became the first female speaker of Lok Sabha.
15. On 25th March 2017 Tanushree Pareek became the first female combat officer commissioned by the border security force.
16. In February 2018 24 year old Flying Officer named Avani Chaturvedi of Indian Airforce became the first Indian female fighter pilot to fly solo. At that time she flew orbison a jet aircraft with the highest recorded landing as well as taking off speed in the world history etc

Current status of Women in Indian society

In every field whether it is a politic education Science and technology in military defence architecture  filmography , women are shining in each and every field. India is regarded as one of the highest number of female politicians in the world history. In customs and beliefs, there is also upliftment of the women in this segment also. We eat dressing style, going for higher education and many other things which are providing support to the upliftment of women. According to 1992 1993 figures only 9.2% of the households in India world holded by women title 35% of the household below the poverty line were found to be tackled by the women. If we talk about the employment a woman India, employment of women in India also increasing day by day and they are actively engagement areas of the traditional as well as non traditional work their livelihood . For example in 2006 a woman named Kiran Mazumdar Shaw is one of the India’s first Biotech company was declared as India’s richest woman. One more example Kalpana morparia what the only business women in India paid up to the list of the Forbes world most powerful women in 2006.

Gender differences in factors of employment

In India gender can be seen in each and every sector of the employment. Women that is BJP government should ensure opportunities to women like men by introducing various schemes, enforcement of laws, inspecting the workplaces, insurance that there is no infringement of equal pay for equal wage principle.

 As an active member of so called BRICS countries , India proudly ranked as  a growing Nation in the context of GDP and economic growth. But there is no such use of that economical growth if there is a gender imbalance in the India itself. Eradicate say different government should pic special measures and provides various rules and regulations for the upliftment of the women in the society as well ensuring Human Rights as well.

Crimes against women in India

There are very various crimes that the associated with women which are as follows:

• Acid throwing
• Dowry killings
• Honour killings
• Food prostitution
• Sexual harassment
• Child marriages
• Domestic violence
• Dowry death
• Rape
• Marital rape
• Abetment to suicide
• Female Infanticide and sex selective abortion
• Accusations of witchcraft
• Human Trafficking etc.

Provisions made for the eradication of evils towards women

       Preamble

•  Within the framework of a democratic polity, our laws, development policies, plans and programmes have been aimed at women’s advancement in different spheres.
• India has also ratified various international conventions and human rights instruments committing to secure equal rights of women.
• Principle of gender equality

Fundamental Rights

• Equality before law for women (Article 14)
• The State not to discriminate against any citizen on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them (Article 15 (1))
• The State to make any special provision in favour of women and children (Article 15 (3))
• Equality of opportunity for all citizens in matters relating to employment or appointment to any office under the State (Article 16)
• Prohibition of Human Trafficking and bonded labour (Article 23)

Directive Principles of State Policy

• The State to direct its policy towards securing for men and women equally the right to an adequate means of livelihood (Article 39(a))
• Equal pay for equal work for both men and women (Article 39(d))
• To promote justice, on a basis of equal opportunity and to provide free legal aid by suitable legislation or scheme or in any other way to ensure that opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizen by reason of economic or other disabilities (Article 39 A)
• The State to make provision for securing just and humane conditions of work and for maternity relief (Article 42)
• The State to promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people and to protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation (Article 46)
• The State to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living of its people (Article 47)

Fundamental Duties

• To promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India and to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women (Article 51(A) (e))

Panchayats

• Not less than one-third (including the number of seats reserved for women belonging to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes) of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in every Panchayat to be reserved for women and such seats to be allotted by rotation to different constituencies in a Panchayat (Article 243 D(3))
• Not less than one- third of the total number of offices of Chairpersons in the Panchayats at each level to be reserved for women (Article 243 D (4))

Municipalities

• Art 243D (3)

• Not less than one-third (including the number of seats reserved for women belonging to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes) of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in every Panchayat to be reserved for women and such seats to be allotted by rotation to different constituencies in a Panchayat
• (Article 243 D (4))
• Not less than one- third of the total number of offices of Chairpersons in the Panchayats at each level to be reserved for women

Cooperative Societies

• Two seats for women on board of every co-operative society consisting of individuals as members and having members from such class or category of persons. (Article 243 ZJ)

Promulgation safeguarding women’s interest are as follows:

1. The Hindu Succession Act 1956
2. The Marriage Act 1955
3. The Hindu adoption and maintenance act 1956
4. The special Marriage Act 1954
5. The dowry prohibition Act 1961
6. The medical termination of pregnancy act 1971
7. The criminal law amendment act
8. The family court act 1984

Conclusion

Women are regarded as a second  wheel of a cart traditionally. They  are the real caretakers of the family . They have to tackle each and every circumstances of the family. They are the backbone of the family. Without Women No household can we move further. Alike men also have equal rights guaranteed by the constitution of India. We are to be treated as equal as men. Generally, India has a male dominating society which  is wrong in my opinion. Government should take all the necessary steps ensure equality to women and improve the status of women in Indian society.