POSITION OF WOMEN IN CONTEMPORARY INDIA

“A women is like a tea-bag---you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water.” -Eleanor Roosevelt.

Introduction:

There was a time when Indian women were known to be just household workers and that was treated to be their only field of work. Gradually since the time of independence Indian women started to crop out of their house bounds and started to take active part in the struggle for Indian independence. Some notable names are found in the Indian Struggle for Independence. Some of the memorable works of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay also reflects that Indian Women were mostly rooting for liberalization of thought and culture during the British Raj. The likes of Rabindranath Tagore also had contributed towards the upliftment of women in Indian Society through their works of literature. Presence of female writers like Sarojini Naidu, Kamala Das were felt during the fight for independence.

The position of Indian women since the Vedic age to Modern age have seen some major changes. The role of Indian women in the Indian society have been of a salient one and the patriarchal society of India have been witness of the power of women in the changing times of India.

The Indian Women's Movement unlike other movements has a definite beginning in a historical context. It began in the late eighteenth century with the Hindu social reformers of modem India and the missionaries. It was directed against the dead moral reflexes and conventionalized life of Indians who marginalized their women and kept them under physical and mental servitude. It was also directed against the sacrosanct prejudices of that time. This was definitely the result of the contact with the West. And the most distinctive feature of the Indian Women's Movement was that it was introduced by the Western-educated Indian men. 

Women in the early Vedic period had high position and they had equal status to the men in the society. Some verses of the Rig Veda are clear evidence to the fact that Indian Women were educated and they were also free to choose their own husbands and they enjoyed equal status to men in the society. Scriptures such as the Rig Veda and Upanishads mention several women sages and seers, notably Gargi and Maitreyi.

Indian Women during British Raj:

It was observed by the European Scholars that Indian Women are morally chaste. Indian women had keen intension for improving themselves. Many unethical practice were performed on the women during the British Raj which were reformed by various literates in India such as Ram Mohan Roy, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar and Jyotirao Phule for the betterment and upliftment of women in society.

Women in India since its Independence:

In this modern India the position of women though has been challenging but still women have given tremendous efforts when it comes to their liberalization. Indian women in the rural areas were mostly out of the touch of modernization after India got its Independence. Women after 1947 started to get involved in many fields such as sports, business, professions, government jobs, services and other aspects of life.

The Constitution of India was made keeping in mind the equal status of women to be maintained by the people of India. 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 provisions to be made by the State for securing just and humane conditions of work and for maternity relief. (Article 42).

Women In Politics:

Indira Gandhi, who served as Prime Minister of India for an aggregate period of fifteen years, is the world's longest serving woman Prime Minister. Many Indian women are part of the Parliament till date rather India is known for its high number of women Politicians. Women have held high offices in India including that of the President, Prime Minister, Speaker of the Lok Sabha and Leader of the Opposition. 

India have seen positive changes in the position of women since the start of the new millennium. The Government of India declared 2001 as the Year of Women's Empowerment (Swashakti). The National Policy for the Empowerment of Women was passed in 2001.

Education of Women:

“One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.”---these words by Malala Yousafzai clearly depicts that education of a child can vastly impact upon the growth of a country in the world and in a country with huge population like India need to utilize the labour power that can be provided by proper education. Through the improvement of technology and e-learning women can be easily facilitated with educationeven in the remotest village.

India being a developing country have taken many steps towards the education of women in the rural areas of the country. The “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” started by the new government have been aiming towards Prevention of gender biased sex selective elimination, ensuring survival and protection of the girl child and ensuring education and participation of the girl child which would help in providing a step towards the empowerment of women.

Women in Business:

In this fast growing economy of India, Indian women have contributed their part. Some of the elite names in the Indian business are Nita Ambani, Chairperson of Reliance Industries, Priya Nair, Executive Director, Home Care, Hindustan Unilever, Arundhati Bhattacharya, Chairman, State Bank of India and the likes.

Major concerns for upliftment of Women:

Though there have been notable changes in the position of Indian Women but still there are various major concerns for the future years to come for the government of India. 

Growth of Crime against women have spread to the Indian urban areas as well and there are major issues in the rural areas of the country. Crimes like acid throwing, rape, domestic violence, child marriage, dowry, child trafficking are growing in the country like disease. Other major concerns for upliftment of women’s position in the Indian Society are health, Family Planning, Sex Ratios and Sanitation.

These can be brought under control through proper implementation of laws and educating people about the laws of the land like Indian Penal Code, 1860, Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 etc. which would strengthen the base of the people.

Conclusion:

There have been many projects and yojnas taken up by the government towards the improvement of the position of women in the society. The women of the country have not only reached the heights in the country itself but also they are touching the sky in respect of sports, business, knowledge and other fields in the world. Yet there are many more aspects that need urgent recognision for further upliftment of the women. While concluding we may refer to a famous quote by Lao Tzu “The journey of a thousand mile begins with one step.”