THE ROLE OF INDIAN POLITICAL STRUCTURE IN DETERMINING

THE STATUS OF INDIAN WOMEN:

1. INTRODUCTION:-
The status of women in the past-
The women enjoyed a better and more promising status in the
ancient past but this saw a continuous and continuous change.
The true picture and condition of women could be understood
by examining the socio-economic, political and religious rights
enjoyed by them in the past.
There are two opinions regarding the status enjoyed by women
in ancient India. First, some scholars and philosophers think that
ancient Indian women were almost “the equals of men”.
On the other hand, there were others who argued that women
were not only disrespected but also received positive hatred and
ignominy of many.
In the Vedic era, the extent of freedom given to women and
liberty exercised in matters like moving around and participation
in public activities gives a good idea of the nature of the standard
enjoyed by the women. Women were more or less considered
equal to men during this time and Vedic period.
Like women of the Vedic age, the women of ‘Epic India’ also
enjoyed and held a dignitary and respectable position and status
at home. The two great and classical epics of India, Ramayana,
and Mahabharata have also given the women a very respectable
position in society. In fact, women have been accorded the most
integral and focal points of both the epics. This shows the
importance and level of women in society.
Then comes the Buddhist period, the status of women improved
to an extent, making conditions for women even better and
more liveable.
However, one can say and lament, there wasn’t much of a
change in the conditions of women on a whole. though there
was no tremendous change. Some of the rigidities and
orthodoxies imposed and percolated by the caste system were
relaxed, to a slight extent. Buddhas preached the ‘doctrine of
equality’ and tried to improve the socio-cultural, educational and
knowledgeable conditions. Even the religious status of the
women was worked upon.
Then the medieval period proved to be a highly big
disappointment for the women of India. During this time their
conditions worsened and their status further deteriorated. This
had a colossal impact on their hold in society and the power they
enjoyed on the whole.
The Muslim invasion and the effects it had on the Indian society
and economy changed the entire history of Indian social and
political fabric. Caste laws dominated the entire social life of
women and became extremely stringent. Laws like Mitakshara
law in the whole of the country and Daya Bhaga especially in
Bengal…reduced women to the status of no better than slaves
and bonded labour.
The Status of women in today’s Scenario and present India –
In today’s times, women are one of the most downtrodden and
marginalized sections of Indian society, making them powerless
and the most vulnerable to all sorts of ill practices. Various social
and economic indicators hint towards the evidence of
inequalities and ill-will towards the women in all areas of life,
viz.-economic, social, demographic, health and nutrition, just to
name a few!
The ever-rising incidents of crime and violence against women
are strong indicators and shows a rampant decline in the respect
of women.
Increasing physical violence against women in the form of rape,
dowry-deaths, wife-beating and female infanticide are all
indicative of the ill position and downtrodden condition of
women in the family and the society. Women have always been
treated and considered as ‘inferior’ members in their own
families. Since times immemorial, women have always been at
the receiving end. Women’s regression, oppression and
adjustment towards the bottom strata of society shows a very
dismal picture. The exploitation of women cuts across caste and
class lines. Even in rich and neo-rich families, women are
subordinated to men and alienated from all the important and
integral functions. Matriarchal status and their fertility provide
an identity to women.
The improvement and the real status of the Indian women
especially after independence till today can be analyzed in the
light of the major policy changes and legislation that have taken
place in areas such as legal rules and laws, education, economic
area and employment sector. The most important being their
political participation and awareness of their socio-political
rights.
WOMEN IN THE POLITICAL SCENARIO:
Since independence, the power exercised by women has
significantly increased and made vibrant strides. The number of
women voters and women representatives in assemblies and
parliament has increased significantly. Women have developed
a good amount of political awareness and some of them have
also attained very high and powerful positions in political parties,
legislatures and cabinets. In both the offices at the centre and
state level, may important and ministerial positions of extreme
importance are held by women.
Women hold important portfolios and wield political power.
In 1992, the 73rd amendment was added to the constitution.
According to this one-third of the seats were reserved especially
for women at the Panchayat level. Yet another proposal of
reserving 33% of seats for women in the legislative bodies is still
in discussion. However, no legislation has been made yet in this
regard for want of political consensus among political parties.
The Indian constitution has safeguarded the position of women
with two political rights- ‘RIGHT TO VOTE’ and eligibility to
contest elections.
THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF WOMEN REGARDING THEIR RIGHTS
AND POLITICAL PARTICIPATION-
Women in India today enjoy a better position and have more
rights than their counterparts in other countries of the world.
But the women of India are not very conscious and aware about
these right especially their political rights. Uneducated rural
womenfolk of rural India do not have any awareness of their
rights in general. They remain oblivious and are innocent of the
rights given to them.
In the realm and context of developmental and upliftment rights
and also regarding women’s political participation at the
community and national levels should be frequently and
occasionally reviewed and examined so that significant changes
which are necessary and impending are made and practised. This
will also lead to a much better understanding of the nature of
women’s participation and their share in the development
process and realm.
STRATEGIES FOR WOMEN’S POLITICAL PARTICIPATION-
The biggest advantage and benefit of Indian Democracy and
Polity is the freedom it gives to its citizens and denizens including
women. Political participation is the hallmark of Indian
democracy. In today’s modern and democratic India, in the
world of ultra-modernization and technological advancements,
the concerns of backward society are a major concern. In fact, in
the traditional society government and politics are concerns of
the elite.
To encourage women participation, numerous and umpteen
number of steps are being taken. This will enhance and bring
forth women participation in all areas of life. Women will come
forward and take active participation in political activities and
social activities. Some of the steps taken are:
The Quotas and Reservation of seats:
Having a fixed number of seats or the quota system is one of the
biggest full-proof strategies which has worked wonders for
increasing women participation in political life. Gender quotas
emerged as a global fast track strategy to redress the problem of
the historic exclusion of women from the formal arena of
politics.
Since the 1950s, many countries have instituted gender quota
system either voluntarily or through legislation and legal
practice. However, the path has not been easy. Many studies and
researches have been carried on to understand the need and
want of the gender system. Without debating the two
antithetical and opposing views, this portion summarizes some
of the issues highlighted in comparative studies on gender
quotas. There is a clear consensus and most of the studies in
literature that gender quota is an effective and positive tool in
addressing women’s exclusion and ensuring their valued
presence in the formal structure of politics. However, the
controversy is and hovers around the vital question as to till what
and how much extent women’s presence in political structures
and political structuring has led to an effective mainstreaming of
gender concerns in politics. This has raised questions and issues
on the nature and modalities of gender quotas….and its
limitation to empower and embody women as role models and
torchbearers of the society, especially concerning women in
politics.
Gender quotas are instituted and constituted within the context
of gender disparities, which are structural, patterned and
systemic. It is imperative to understand women’s role in politics
and society. Much has to be done to increase women
participation in politics and in the legislative assemblies. Without
addressing the structural constraints to women’s political
exclusion, their inclusion through gender quota cannot lead to
effective representation. While quotas are important in
addressing the representation of women from the polity, public
and political sphere, they can only form one aspect of a multi-
faceted strategy for empowering women and bringing them at
par with men in all spheres of life. It also needs societal pressure,
ample resources and a lot of initiatives... from everyone present
in the society to make India and the world at large a better place
to live in.
Women today lack social and societal avenues to show their
power and exercise their role. Women and girls also lack civil and
economic rights and are unable to exercise their political rights
fully. The gender quotas, therefore, need to be linked with the
social and economic redistributive justice in the society. Then
only it will make complete sense and fulfil its role of bringing
women at par with men in the society and all walks of life.
Networking and amalgamation of Women Politicians-
There is a great amount of documentation on the experiences of
collective power through networking and social channels. From
the political field, I would like to share a success story from
Pakistan where women councillors formed a network and later
an election alliance.
Within this context of exclusion and marginalization, affirmative
action measure is necessary and is being incessantly promoted
as a key to redress the problem of gender balance and gender
issue. It is also a key strategy to redress the imbalance in politics.
GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES AND THE STEPS TAKEN BY THE
GOVERNMENT-
The Government of India has taken many steps with the help and
cooperation of the various political parties active in India-
Constitutional Endeavours and Constitutional Provisions:
The constitution of India accepts the principle and right to
equality of gender. The women just like their counterparts are
equally entitled to individual freedom, fundamentals right like:
Right to participate in social, cultural, religious, educational,
economic and political activities. It has given the women the
right to exercise their vote and the voting rights to women. The
constitution of India in no way treats women as lower to men
They are equal in role and status and considered equal citizens.
Social Legislations and societal laws:
The Government of India undertook a number of legislative
measures to safeguard the interests and rights of women. Some
of them are-
1. Dowry Prohibition Act
2. Special Marriage Act
3. Hindu Succession Act
4. Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act and
5. Suppression of Immoral Traffic of Women and Girls Act etc.
Educational Provisions:
Various benefits such as freeship, scholarship, loan facility,
hostel facility, etc. are being given to women to promote women
education in the country. The government of India wants more
and more girls and women to participate in the educational
arena. Women and girls are motivated to go for higher
education, by the Government of India. To promote more girls
getting enrolled in schools and colleges, many educational
institutions only for girls have come into existence. In many
towns and cities, educational institutions meant only for female
children have been established by the strenuous efforts of
various political parties. And because of these efforts, the
educational performance of girl students particularly at high
school and college level has improved significantly.
Economic and Employment avenues:
In both villages and cities, there has been a remarkable increase
in the number of women going out of their homes in search of
work and joining the workforce. The women have started to
leave the four walls of the household and becoming workers. The
government is providing ample opportunities to women in the
field of employment in various job sectors like teaching, factory
worker, nursing, law advocates, bank employees, clerks, etc.

STEPS TAKEN BY GOVERNMENT TO IMPROVE THE STATUS OF

WOMEN IN INDIA
DURING THE BRITISH PERIOD and BRITISH REGIME
During the British Era and earlier age, there were many
reformists who took up the cause of women’s education in the
country. One such social reformer was Raja Ram Mohan Roy who
initiated the wave of reformist movements in the nineteenth
century, He was followed by Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar,
Dayanand Saraswati, Keshav Chandra Sen, Mrs Annie Besant,
Mrs Ranade and Pandit Ramabai. These reformers through their
continuous struggle and social endeavours changed the way
women were seen in society. They coerced the Government to
take some Legislative measures and to enact the Acts which are
as follows:
THE PREVENTION OF SATI ACT, 1829
Raja Ram Mohan Roy worked vigorously and because of his
valiant efforts, Lord Wiliam Bentik helped to enact the Sati Act.
It provided punishment for burning alive of widows, culpable
homicide, punishable with fine and imprisonment.

THE HINDU WIDOW REMARRIAGE ACT, 1856

This Act made the remarriage of Hindu widows valid. It also
worked to legalise the legitimacy of children, irrespective of
caste regulations concerning remarriage. Every widow who has
remarried shall have the rights as it has been her first marriage.
THE CIVIL MARRIAGE ACT, 1872
The Civil Marriage Act, 1872 was made successful by
Keshavchandra Sen. This Act made marriage a secular ceremony,
besides raising the age of girls to 14 years, permitting widow
marriage and intercaste marriages.
The most important feature of this act Act was the
implementation of monogamy.
THE CHILD MARRIAGE RESTRAINT ACT, 1929
According to the act, children under fourteen years were
considered children and the age was increased to twenty-one
years for males and eighteen years for female. It provided
punishment to a person who marries a child with simple
imprisonment which may extend to fifteen days, or with a fine
of 1000 Rs or both.
AFTER INDEPENDENCE
NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR WOMEN
National Commission for Women is a Department under the
Ministry of Women and Child Development.
It was set up exclusively to help women via Constitution-by
reviewing legal and Constitution safeguards for women,
recommending remedial legislative measures, by felicitating
quick redressal of grievances and by advising the Government of
India on all policy matters affecting women.
Thus the objective of NCW is to represent the rights of women
and to provide a voice for their issue and concerns.
The commission is considered to be the complaint and
counselling cell. It possesses the complaints received orally, in
written or Suo Moto under section 10 of the National
Commission for Women’s act. The complaints received related
to domestic violence, harassment, dowry, torture, rape and
refusal to register FIR (first information report), cruelty by
husband, gender discrimination and sexual harassment at the
workplace. Within a span of nearly twenty-two years, the
commission has managed to fulfil most of the responsibilities
laid down in its mandate. The different public hearings, outreach
programmes, counselling and legal functions have definitely
improved the condition of the women in India.
But there are certain drawbacks in the work of the Commission
which if rectified would lead to a more efficient and productive
Commission. The following are the shortcomings:
LIMITATION OF NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR WOMEN
• The commission has no solid administrative forces. It
has just the forces to prescribe revisions and submit
reports which are not tying on the state or Union
Governments.
• The commission does not have the ability to choose its
own particular parts. This force is vested with the union
 government and in India's unpredictable political
situation the commission may be politicized.
• The Commission is dependent on grants from the
Union Government to function financially and this could
compromise the independence of Commission.
In spite of the shortcomings and drawbacks, the commission has
managed to fulfil the consent, if not completely but to a great
extent. It is gaining immense popularity and support from Indian
women. There is no doubt about the effectiveness of the
Commission and about the good work which it is doing for the
women of India.
INDECENT REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN’S ACT, 1986
Indecent Representation of Women's Act was established with
the point of precluding foul representation of ladies through the
method for promoting or in 'production, written work,
compositions, figures, or in any other manner and for matters
associated therewith or incidental thereto. This Act covers all
sorts of pornographic images, drawings, paintings and figures
where a woman is depicted in an indecent manner.
The aim of the Indecent Representation of Women Act, 1986 and
Sections 292 to 294 of the Indian Penal Code is to check the
indecent representation of women in any form. This Act deals
with harassment through indecent material. Section 7 of the Act
holds companies responsible in case of display of pornographic
matter on-premises. This is punishable with imprisonment of a
minimum of two years. These laws should be interpreted in a
way which makes a balance between the liberty of women and
decency in public life
PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS ACT, 1993
Human Rights are the rights related to life, liberty, equality, and
dignity of the individual guaranteed by the Constitution or
embodied in the International Covenants and enforceable by
courts in India. Women rights are basically and essentially
Human rights and have to be protected and allowed them to live
with dignity without the fear of their safety and security.
In Sudha Pareek vs. union of state, the Supreme Court
considered the provisions of the Convention on the Elimination
of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, 1979(CEDAW)
and held the same to be the integral scheme of the Fundamental
Rights and Directive Principles.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACT, 2005

This is a very important act to safeguard the interests of women
at the domestic front. The act is aimed at destroying the dowry
system. Dowry is a valuable property, thing or money which is
determined to be given away as a condition of marriage by the
family of the bride to the male side. The Act provides for
punishment with imprisonment of six months, or a fine of Rs.
500/-, or both. Under this Act, if a girl commits suicide in less
than seven years of her marriage and it is proved she was subject
to cruelty, the parents-in-law are liable to be punished.
THE SEXUAL HARASSMENT OF WOMEN AT WORKPLACE ACT,
2013
The aim of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act,
2013 is to provide protection against sexual harassment of
women at the workplace and for the prevention and redressal of
the complaints of sexual harassment. As per the figure, presence
or occurrence of circumstances of implied or explicit promise of
preferential treatment in employment; an impending threat of
detrimental treatment in employment; threat about present or
future employment; interference with work or creating an
intimidating or offensive or hostile work environment; or
humiliating treatment likely to affect the lady employees, health
or safety may account to sexual harassment.
INGREDIENTS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT ACT:
The sexual harassment act is very wide and is applicable to the
organised sector as well as unorganised sector. In view of the
wide definition of the workplace the statute, inter-alia, applies
to the government bodies, private and public sector
organisations, non-governmental organisations, organisations
carrying on commercial, vocational, educational, industrial,
entertainment, financial activities, hospitals and nursing homes,
educational institutions, sports institutions and stadiums used
for training individuals. As per the sexual harassment act, a
workplace also covers within its scope places visited by
employees during the course of employment or for reasons
arising out of employment, including transportation provided by
the employer for the purpose of commuting to and from the
place of employment.
The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961

This constitutes a very important step towards the emancipation

of women and the vicissitudes of women facing troubles because
of the greedy and mercenary behaviour of many.
An Act to restrict the giving or taking of settlement that is any
property or important security is given or consented to be given
either straightforwardly or in a roundabout way by any gathering
or folks of either side at the time of marriage, or before or after
the wedding service. It stretches out to the entire of India apart
from Jammu & Kashmir. The endowment framework has been
an extraordinary social and wellbeing issue. These cases are
primarily because of the actuality the endowment was not
offered as per the desire of husband gathering.
This constitutes because the value of male child has been fixed
much higher as compared to girl and women status is also low,
the bride’s parent has to offer costly gifts, and spend a lot of
money on arranging household goods to present even before the
marriage which is illegal. If any person violates the Act may be
punished with imprisonment for a term not less than 5 years and
with fine which shall not be less than Rs. 15000/- or the amount
of the value of such dowry, in such cases the fine imposed is
taken having higher value. Under the Amended Act of various
states many types of prohibitions like advertisement, scope of
dowry, gift, presents, and joint accounts are also included.
The Contemporary status of women in Politics and Social
Engineering:

In today’s times and the urbanized and civilized modern era and
society, women in India are given ample freedom & right such as
freedom of expression & equality as well as the right to be
educated. Women’s education and emancipation have received
major impetus. Women’s education has been given top priority.
Educated and employed women are playing an important role in
a number of fields.

Women are provided with reservation in both educational

institutes and employment. The activities of women are no
longer confined to four walls of their homes. More and more
women are joining the workforce.

Women are competing with men in all fields of society. Today

women are self-sufficient, economically self-dependent and
many women stand on their own feet. Women enjoyed a better
status and much more freedom today. They are considered at
par with men and walk together in all strides and walks of life.
They’re enjoying the ‘ladies first’ facility in different fields.
However, some problems such as dowry, domestic violence, sex-
selective abortion, female infanticide are still prevalent. It is
important corrective measures and preventive steps are taken
to counter all problems against the women of the country.

Women in India now participate fully in areas such as education,

sports, politics, media, art and culture, service sectors, science
and technology, etc.
One example of a magnanimous and illustrious women politician
is Mrs Indira Gandhi, who served as the Prime Minister of India
for an aggregate period of fifteen years. She is the world's
longest-serving woman Prime Minister. The previous president
of India and Lok Sabha speaker was a lady.

The continuous struggle for women’s freedom and women

emancipation has been a long and continuous one lasting many
centuries.

The Constitution of India guarantees to all Indian women

equality (Article 14), No discrimination by the State (Article
15(1)), Equality of opportunity (Article 16), and Equal pay for
equal work (Article 39(d)). In addition, it allows special provisions
to be made by the State in favour of women and children (Article
15(3)), Renounces practices derogatory to the dignity of women
(Article 51(A) (e)), and also allows for ample and the best
provisions to be made by the State for securing just and humane
conditions of work and for maternity benefit (Article 42).

The feminist momentum and the fight for Women freedom and
power gained momentum in the late 1970s. One of the first
national-level issues that brought women's groups together was
the Mathura Rape Case. The acquittal of policemen accused of
raping a young girl Mathura in a police station led to country-
wide protests in 1979-1980. The protests, widely covered by the
national media, forced the government to amend the Evidence
Act, the Criminal Procedure Code, and the Indian Penal Code;
and created a new offence, custodial rape. Female activists also
united over issues such as female infanticide, gender bias,
women's health, women's safety, and women's literacy.

In the 1990s, grants from foreign donor agencies enabled the

formation of new women-oriented NGOs. Self-help groups and
NGOs such as Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) have
played a major role in the advancement of women's rights in
India. Many women have emerged as leaders of local
movements; for example, Medha Patkar of the Narmada Bachao
Andolan.

The National Policy For The Empowerment Of Women was

passed in 2001. The Government of India declared 2001 as the
Year of Women's Empowerment (Swashakti). In 2010 March 9,
one day after International Women's day, Rajya Sabha passed
the Women's Reservation Bill requiring that 33% of seats in
India's Parliament and state legislative bodies be reserved for
women.

WOMEN IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION AND KNOWLEDGE:

After Independence, women of India took to education in a
relatively large number. For eg:-In 1901, the literacy level of
female in India was just 0.6%, it increased to 39.42% in 1991and
to 64% in 2001.
Various benefits such as freeship, scholarship, loan facility,
hostel facility, etc are given to women who go for higher
education. In many towns and cities, educational institutions
meant only for female children have been established. The
educational performance of girls student particularly at high
school and college level is proving to be better than that of boys
especially after 1980s. The performance of girls makes it evident
that intellect is not the monopoly of men alone. This nation has
gone much ahead in the field of education and today we have
many universities specially meant for women.
Women have now realized that education makes lots difference
in the social status of the individuals whether they are men or
women. It must be noted here that even though city women are
quite conscious of education and importance, more than 70% of
our rural women are still illiterate and only a negligible number
of them develop their educational career.

WOMEN IN ECONOMIC AND EMPLOYMENT FIELDS- AN

ENDEAVOUR TO STRIVE TOWARDS FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE
Women today are becoming more and more involved with the
economic aspects of life. Their role is no more restricted to just
the four walls of the kitchen and homes. More women are
stepping out of the home, starting a small business, start-up and
joining the workforce to earn livelihoods for themselves and
their families.
In both villages and cities, there has been a remarkable increase
in the number of women going out of the four walls of the
household and becoming workers.
In the employment market, they are giving a tough competition
to the menfolk. In some fields the number of women employees
is steadily increasing, ex-women working as teacher, doctor,
nurse, advocate,are to be found in almost all cities. In big cities
women do not hesitate to work as bus conductor, police
constable, autorickshaw driver, and so on. Since 1991, though in
a smaller number, women are also getting recruited into the
armed forces, air force and naval force as well.
Employment has given women economic independence, they
much need and deserve. They also feel important and there is a
feeling of self-worth attached to them.
There is the feeling of importance that they get which is very
important. They now feel that they can stand on their own legs
and look after the entire family by themselves. This has boosted
its self-pride and self-confidence. Employed women feel relieved
and cherished that they need not live as parasites and can earn
the bread for themselves and the family.

WOMEN IN THE POLITICAL FIELD

Political field and political scenario require the support and onus
of all sections of the society. Both men and women are equal in
the eyes of the law. The law of the land is similar for both men
and women.

Female Enfranchisement- Right to Vote and the eligibility to

contest elections for the legislature are very important rights
which have paved the way for the political emancipation of the
women. As early as in 1973 itself some women candidates had
contested for election to the local legislative bodies and won.
After independence, the number of women voters and women
representatives in assemblies and parliament has increased
sufficiently. Women have developed sufficient political
awareness, political knowledge and some of them have attained
very high positions in political party, legislatures and cabinets.
In central cabinet and at the state we find many ministerial
portfolios being held by women.
But still women participation in Indian politics as compared to
other countries is very less. This needs more political awareness
and more women should step out of the confines of their home
to take active participation in politics.

Times are surely changing, but still these are testing-times. A

very important fact-finding study reveals that the recently
concluded 15th Lok Sabha elections have delivered a record 59
women as members of Parliament, the highest since
independence, raising their parliamentary participation to
10.9%. Seventeen of these women are under 40. And
representation of women leaders at the grassroots level in India
is nearly 50%, especially since the passing of the 73rd amendment
in 1992, which allotted one-third of all seats to women.
Much has changed in the villages, but much is still to go. The
Panchayati raj, that bedrock of rural government, has fostered
more and more women participants. Some states, like
Karnataka, had inducted women into rural politics even before it
was mandated by the constitution. Several states, including
Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar and most recently,
Uttrakhand, have allotted not just the required 33% of
panchayat seats for women but increased it to 50%. At the
village level, the most important concern has been the education
and empowerment of women. Female education is still not given
a lot of importance at the village level. Panchayat women leaders
have been especially active in bringing education to their villages
even though they are frequently held hostage by caste politics
and quotas.
Education is the most important tool for women empowerment.
It may be noted that political awareness is present more
amongst the city women than among the rural women, among
middle and upper class than among the lower class women.

AWARENESS OF WOMEN REGARDING THEIR RIGHTS

The government has introduced many schemes and welfare
programmes from time to time for the welfare of the people and
especially women. But real empowerment will only come when
will become aware of their rights and duties.
It is because the government understands the need for women
taking part in the various employment and financial avenues to
become self-reliant and also for the country to grow and
develop. But it the women themselves who need to be awake
and alert.
Women in independent India have more rights than their
counterparts in many other countries of the world. But most of
our women are not very much conscious of rights. Uneducated
rural women do not have any awareness of the right. A study
conducted by Prof. Ram Ahuja a few years ago in eight villages
of Rajasthan among 753 women belonging to different age
groups. His objective was to assess the degree of awareness and
measure the level of satisfaction among women about the rights
sanctioned by the constitution of India. He conducted his study
and focused on four aspects namely:
  Individual background of women which refers to their
educational level, aspiration level and personal needs.
 The Social environment the women are subjected to:
which includes social expectation of kins, husband’s values
and family members perceptions.
 The Economic base of women which refers to class
membership and economical status
 Subjective perception of women which refers to the
women feelings towards her self and assessment of their
statuses and roles.
In the study more than 75% of women were unaware of their
rights, 20% of them did not have any awareness of their political
rights, less than 1/3 of women had the chance of inheriting their
husband property and only 0.5% of them got the share of the
father property.
From the above statistics, it can be said that majority of our
women are being identified not as independent individual but
are seen only as daughter, wives, mother, or as family members.
It can also be said that majority of our women are happy with
their family life and do not cherish any ambition relating to
political or public life.
Most of the women do not prefer to take decision on important
matters but leave them to their menfolk’s discretion. Thus our
women are not free from the hold of the customs. Development
of our country depends on the empowerment of women. A man
and a woman are like two wheels of a cart. The cart can move
fast and safely too when both of them pull it in the same
direction and with equal strength. Hence no developing country
or society can afford to ignore the role of women if they are to
progress.

WOMEN IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION TODAY

1. Women education is the most important tool for women
upliftment and development. Schemes like, Beti Bachao,
Beti Padhao is doing wonders in this regard: This is a superb
scheme which has become very famous and is working for
the spread of women education in the country. More and
more women are motivated and brought forward to study
and learn. It means protect and safeguard the girl child by
providing her good and quality education.
Let us delve a lit more in the history of women’s education in the
country. After Independence, women of India took to education
in a relatively large number. In 1901,the literary level of female
in India was just 0.6%, it increased to 39.42% in 1991and to64%in
20011.Various benefits such as freeship, scholarship, loan
facility, hostel facility, etc are given to women who go for higher
education.
Only girls schools and colleges should also be opened on a grand
scale for those who do not wish to study in co-ed medium.In
many towns and cities, educational institutions meant only for
female children have been established. The educational
performance of girls student particularly at high school and
college level is proving to be better than that of boys especially
after 1980s. The performance of girls makes it evident that
intellect is not the monopoly of men alone.
Much has been done in the field of women education but much
is still left to be done.This nation has gone much ahead in the
field of education and today we have some universities specially
meant for women. Women have now realized that education
makes a lot of difference in the social status of the individuals
whether they are men or women. It must be noted here that
even though city women are quite conscious of education and
importance, more than 70% of our rural women are still illiterate
and only a negligible number of them develop their educational
career.

STATUS OF WOMEN: A HISTORICAL ANALYSIS

A very important way to understand the present situation of
women can be to understand and put light on the status of
women enjoyed in the past and before independence. The status
of women in India has been subject to many great changes over
the past few centuries. This change was subject to the many
reasons including the social status, economic freedom and
political rights given to them.
1. Ancient Period:
During the ancient era, women enjoyed greater freedom and
respect because they were given a holy status. “Divine souls take
birth in such houses, where the women are respected. Where
they are not respected, all works become useless there.” This
was the thinking of most of the common folk.
Women held a very high and respectable position in ancient
Indian society. In ancient India, though patriarchal system was
highly prevalent where the society was male-dominated,
women enjoyed a position of respect and reverence. They were
treated with high respect and honoured in every walk of life.
They lived lives of happiness. There is evidence to suggest that
woman power destroyed kingdoms and mighty rulers.
The epic is alive and is a living reality to show the true picture
and status enjoyed by women in society. In the Vedic society
women participated in religious ceremonies and tribal
assemblies. There is no seclusion of women from domestic and
social affairs but they were dependent on their male relatives
throughout their lives. Women could choose their husbands
through a type of marriage called ‘Swayamvara’. But the
subsequent period saw the change in the status of women as a
whole. However, as time passed the position of women
underwent changes in all spheres of life. In the Vedic period,
women lost their political rights of attending assemblies. But
most of the things changed because of the heinous crimes like
child marriage, female infanticide, female foeticide etc. Child
marriages also came into existence. One very strange and
important finding is that according to the Aitareya Brahmana, a
daughter has been described as a source of misery.
The status of women in the scripture cuts a very sorry and dismal
picture of women. This is very troubling. If a scripture only gives
a bad position to the daughters, how can the situation of the
country improve relating to the womenfolk of the country? This
needs some important discussion and fact-finding. Atharva Veda
also deplores the birth of daughters. Yet, certain matrilineal
elements are discernible in this period also. The importance
assigned to the wives of the Raja in the Rajasuya Yaga has been
regarded as an indication of matrilineal influence. There are
references to women seers like Gargi and Maitreyi.
Gender discrimination became common and much more
streamlined during this time. Gender disparity and gender roles
became more stringent and defined during this particular period.
These are also changing times. However during this period, we
see the growing tendency to stratify Indian society along gender
lines. The position of women gradually deteriorated as the Vedic
ideals of unity and equality began to fade off through the
passage of time. During the period of Smritis, women were
bracketed with the Sudras and were denied the right to study
the Vedas, to utter Vedic mantras and to perform Vedic rites.
Marriage or domestic life became compulsory far women and
unquestioning devotion to husband is their only duty. During the
Mauryan period Brahmanical literature was particularly severe
in the treatment of women and assigned them a very low status
in the society.
Women were given a much better place by the Buddhist texts
and in Buddhism, who put the women in a better light. They
were much more considerate in treating them.
Another aspect that was really astonishing and a great cause of
worry is that the epics gave a very sorry status to the women
who were given the status of property. Men could exercise their
control and take them as mere property. So, we see that the
position of women was inferior but not as bad as it came to be
in the later ages. Women still enjoyed some respect and
reverence in the society but her role was limited.
2. Medieval Period:
Medieval Period is a very important and significant period to
understand the status of women and how things began to
change. A brief account of the status enjoyed by women during
the early medieval period is quite necessary for our
understanding of the position of women in Indian society.
Women of high status and belonging to the elite society and high
standards such as queens, princesses, and wives of nobles,
courtesans and dancers were educated in different fields
including that of statecraft so that they would give right advice
at the right time to their husbands. This was done more from the
social and domestic point of view.
This also helped at the time of political and country emergencies.
At the same time, queens warranted by the exigencies like the
death of their husbands took the reins of administration into
their hands. More importantly, women started to get badly
treated and they became subject to bigotry and domestic
trouble. There was a progressive deterioration in the position of
women in the society since Manu's times, which reached the
lowest point during this period. The practical recommendations
given in the Manu-Samhita were those of a bigot. Though not
exactly regarded as a piece of property, the woman's secondary
status is highlighted in this manner. "In childhood, a female must
be subject to her father, in youth to her husband, when her lord
is dead, to her son. A woman must never be independent.”
The texts showcased the picture of women in a very bad light.
They were shown to be mostly confined to the regimes of their
household duties and chores. Confined mostly to the four walls
of the house, women depended entirely on their male earning
members. Child marriage and female infanticide were prevalent.
The status accorded to women was not very good and did not
receive much respect. Polygamy was there, the upper classes
could marry more than one wife and enjoy his life, treating the
women with disrespect and laxity. The high and upper castes
indulged in it generally, due to their economic well-being.
Because rich men could afford numerous wives, they indulged in
polygamy widely. Widow Remarriage was treated as a taboo and
a big social evil. Widow marriage was not encouraged and that
added to the burden of the society in general.
This was a very bad time for the women in general and for
society as a whole. The condition was deplorable and
deteriorating and this clearly hints at the testing times for
women ahead.
3. The liberalisation and easing out of the process towards
women in Modern India:
The women of modern India are in a much better and
egalitarian position than ever before. But this present status
has been the result of vociferous and continuous demands to
uplift and develop the status of women in all regards. Reform
movements play a major role in bringing about this difference
on a whole. Women in Modern India underwent a major and
long-needed change in their lives due to the various reform
activities undertaken for their upliftment.
Women today exercise more personal and social freedom.
Women were finally able to emerge from the submissive roles
assigned to them by society and emerge as free and
independent individuals with their own distinct identity.
The change has not been easy at all. This is the result of a very
hard struggle, especially on the judicial front. The change in
their social role and function led to much greater participation
of women in the public sphere and the gradual weakening of
the bonds that tied her down to home and family alone. This is
due to the constant and continuous efforts of women and
other social activists in all fronts are it social, political, economic
and judicial.
Let's also delve upon the status before the British Raj. Before
the advent of British rule in India, the Indian women were in
much pathetic and deplorable social condition with a number
of oppressive rules being thrust upon them by society. However
with the coming together of many social and economic
reforms, the situation began to change. With the various
reform movements and a gradual change in the perception of
women in society, there was a radical transformation in the
position of women in modern India. Women were thought to
be more smart, educated, literate and active members of the
society by now. They now emerged as educated, socially aware,
competent with a strong sense of their individuality and
increasingly looking towards newer avenues for self-expression.
Much can be attributed to the colonial regime followed by the
British Raj and Rule. This form of colonization and imperialism
set the motion for change. Colonial domination changed many
aspects of society, including the position of women in society.
The ideology that emerged to redefine gender relations was a
mixture of new foreign ideas, indigenous concepts, and the
response of Indian men and women to the foreign presence in
their midst. Female education. Women literacy, child education
and girls education received impetus. Those who accepted the
idea that society’s ills could be traced to the oppressed
condition of women saw female education and female
emancipation as the first steps towards progress.
By this time, one can see many new social and educational
institutions springing up. New means of education started
gaining impetus and social support and backing. There was seen
the establishment of new educational, religious and social
institutions. As families moved from their village homes to the
cities, they increased their contact with the foreigners and they
were gradually influenced to change their views regarding
traditional household activity.
Girls education became common and more and more girls
were sent to study and gain education.Now girls in increasing
numbers started attending educational institutions, social
gatherings unrelated to family affairs, and new religious
ceremonies.
So, we see there was the much needed radical and
developmental change in the condition and status of women
during the modern and changing times. There were some very
radical changes in the life of the woman in modern India. There
was seen a multitude and multifarious change in the pattern on
women`s lives now.
First, there were changes in the appropriate activities for a
female at different stages of her life. Second, the roles where
women could exercise control and freedom in the area of
action was expanded. And third, individualism gained
momentum.
All these changes can be accorded to the various social reforms
and the active participation of the legislative and judiciary. Due
to the reform activities and changes set in motion by the British
conquest of India, by the end of the nineteenth century, there
were a number of women who were educated, agile, aware,
independent and smart.
CONCLUSION And SUMMARY:
Since ancient times, when women had a respectable and
reverent status in the society, then to the Medieval times,
when rules became far more stringent and constricted, mainly
because of many Muslim rules who thought of women to be
more of property and objects till today where women are
independent and self-dependent, times have not been easy at
all!
Today, women are the still the marginalised section of the
society and the horrendous and heinous crimes like rape,
female infanticide and female foeticide still exist in hidden
forms. This is hideous!
The number of crime against women has increased and much
needs to be done to curtail this. The legislative assembly should
come up with stringent rules to curb all ill-practice against
women in all forms. Many more reforms are still necessary and
a must to change the real status of women in all aspects if we
want a real change in the condition and status of women.
In the present scenario, women are one of the most
marginalised sections of society. Certain provisions have been
made for women in the constitution of India, but much is yet to
come. The legislature, executive and most importantly the
judiciary needs to take the best and most needed steps to make
it count when it comes to women, proper and prompt action
needs to be taken when women safety and women
empowerment is concerned.
In India, the government has established several schemes for
improving the status of women in India. One major notification
and the exemplary year is the year 2001 was being declared as
the year of women empowerment in India.
The government and constitution of India should work
vociferously and continuously to correct all sorts of anomaly.
Equal wages for equal work makes much sense! Women should
be subjected to equal wages and equal jobs as men and then
only they can be as equal to men.
Today educated women are playing an important role in every
field. But much is yet to come! Despite, all these developments
preventive measures are still needed to be taken as many social
evils are still prevalent in the country. Not to forget and a very
important and poignant point is that women are equally
important citizens/denizens of the country, they should be
given equal opportunities in all field. Women are good,
competent and smart just like men and can play a very
significant and dominant role in all spheres of life.
The status of women had increased economically as many
women are coming out to earn their livelihood. More and more
women are getting involved in the financial working and
economic fabric of the country. One live and current example is
the current finance minister, respected Mrs Nirmala
Sitharaman. Since the past, several steps have been taken by
the government for the upliftment of the women.
Today, we can proudly postulate that the status of women has
undergone a sea change. The status of women is much more
uplifted, stronger and women exercise more control in all
spheres of life. Women in modern and contemporary times are
more vigilant and alert about their rights. So, we can rightly
conclude that the status of women in India had undergone a
drastic change.
So, much has been done in the field of women education and
women empowerment but what is important to note is that
much needs to be still done, to make the society, country and
world at large a much better, safer and stronger position in the
society.