History of Indian Women Essay Example

burned alive on their husband's funeral pyre. Although it was claimed to be voluntary, there were cases where it was enforced upon them. Fortunately, the British abolished this practice in 1829.

There have been approximately forty reported cases of sati since independence. In 1987, the Roop Kanwar case in Rajasthan resulted in the enactment of The Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act. Jauhar, which refers to the voluntary immolation of all the wives and daughters of defeated warriors to prevent capture and potential molestation by the enemy, was a practice followed by the wives of defeated Rajput rulers known for valuing honor greatly. Purdah, on the other hand, is the practice of requiring women to cover their bodies in order to conceal their skin and form.

The limited movement of women, which hinders their ability to freely engage with others, serves as a symbol of their subordinate status. However, it is important to note that this restriction does not align with the religious principles taught in Hinduism or Islam. The misconception surrounding this issue can be attributed to the ignorance and biases held by religious leaders from both faiths. In certain regions of southern India, there exists a religious practice called Devadasis, where women are ceremonially "married" to a deity or temple. This tradition has been observed since the 10th century A.D.

During a later period, there was a norm of illegitimate sexual exploitation faced by devadasi's in certain parts of India. The police frequently record incidents of crimes against women in India, and according to the National Crime Records Bureau, the rate of these crimes is predicted to exceed the population growth rate by 2010.

In the past, many cases went unreported due to social stigma surrounding rape and molestation. However, official statistics now show a significant increase in reported crimes against women. In 1990, workplace molestation and harassment accounted for a notable portion of these reported crimes. "Eve teasing" is the term used to describe sexual harassment or molestation inflicted upon women by men. Some activists attribute this rise in sexual harassment to influence from Western culture. To address indecent portrayal of women, the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act was implemented in 1987, prohibiting such depiction in advertisements, publications, art, or any other form.

The Supreme Court of India took a significant step in 1997 to combat sexual harassment of women at work. They provided detailed guidelines and collaborated with the National Commission for Women to transform them into an employers' Code of Conduct. Moreover, the Indian government passed the Dowry Prohibition Act in 1961, which deemed dowry demands illegal in marriages.

Despite the implementation of Dowry Prohibition rules in 1985 to establish a recorded inventory of wedding gifts, there continue to be numerous reports of domestic violence, suicides, and dowry-related homicides. These incidents were particularly prevalent during the 1980s. The regulations dictate that the inventory should contain information like gift description, estimated value, giver's name, and their relationship with the couple. Regrettably, these rules are seldom enforced.

A 1997 report states that around 5,000 women lose their lives annually due to dowry deaths. Additionally, about twelve women die each day in intentional 'kitchen fires', commonly known as "bride burning". Although criticized within India itself, the practice of dowry abuse has significantly reduced among educated individuals in urban areas.

Child marriage continues to exist as a longstanding tradition in India. Previously, young girls lived with their parents until they reached puberty and child widows faced immense suffering including having their heads shaved, living in isolation, and being socially rejected.

Child marriage remains a widespread practice in India, despite its prohibition in 1860. According to UNICEF's "State of the World's Children-2009" report, nearly half (47%) of women aged 20-24 in India were married before turning 18. In rural areas, this percentage rises to 56%. The report also highlights that India accounts for 40% of global child marriages. Additionally, India faces challenges such as female infanticide and sex-selective abortions, which lead to an imbalanced sex ratio due to the premature deaths of many women before reaching adulthood. Tribal societies within India have a lower proportion of males compared to other caste groups.

Despite having lower levels of income, literacy, and health facilities, tribal communities contribute to the highly masculine sex ratio in India due to female infanticides and sex-selective abortions. To address this issue, all medical tests used to determine the sex of a child have been banned in India due to their misuse for eliminating unwanted female children before birth. Unfortunately, female infanticide persists in certain rural areas.