Introduction
Women are not naturally born but rather shaped and nurtured.
The celebration of International Women’s day is being observed worldwide with great grandeur and display. It is fitting to examine the space and status occupied by women and compare it to 60 years ago when many developing countries achieved independence.
Women in developing nations have experienced a transition from active participation in national movements to being confined within the household, and now emerging as empowered individuals (Kishor, Sunita, and Gupta, p.704).
Numerous discussions on gender in developing countries have taken place over the years, addressing women's societal position, health, education, gender equality, and economic status.
These debates reveal that women have consistently held a contradictory position in developing nations. On one hand, there has been an increase in female literacy rates and their entry into professi
...onal fields. However, poor health conditions, the persistence of female infanticide practices,
and limited access to education continue to be present.
Although there have been some changes, the traditional notion that a woman's main duty is to take care of her household and her ultimate aim is to get married has not changed much. The fact that there are matrimonial ads searching for women with certain castes, slim bodies, and fair skin tones, along with controversial advertisements like "fair and lovely," indicates a slow change in social and moral standards. To understand the current situation of Indian women in society, it is important to recognize both progress made and ongoing challenges. This article explores the present condition of women in India.
Case Study
Following India's independence, the important role of women nationalists in the country was widely recognized. The drafting of India's constitution granted women equal rights
and acknowledged them as legal citizens, ensuring they had the same opportunities and freedoms as men. Although the sex ratio at that time was slightly better than today, with 945 women for every 1000 men (Neft, Naomi, and Levine, 1997), Indian women still faced a different reality. Despite these advancements on paper, they remained confined to their homes and subjected to male dominance within the long-established patriarchal society.
Women in society were marginalized and considered inferior, with a shockingly low female literacy rate of 8.6%. The Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) for girls at the primary and upper primary levels was only 24.8% and 4.6% respectively (Kingdon & Gandh, p.170). Cultural and social hindrances made it extremely difficult for females to obtain an education or access formal schooling. Moreover, women had limited participation in public spaces and were expected to manage them on their own while also fulfilling their roles as homemakers.
Despite the implementation of the Sharda Act in the 1950s, child marriage remains prevalent in North India. Despite an increase in the average age of marriage for girls to 18, this has led to substantial disparities in healthcare, education, finances, and other resources for women. Furthermore, it has restricted their ability to make choices regarding marriage, career, and life due to limited autonomy. Although a dowry prohibition act was enacted in 1961 with promised severe penalties, the practice persists. However, crimes against women in India have a significantly low conviction rate.
Throughout history, the birth of a girl child has been viewed as unfortunate and has resulted in cruel actions. This includes the killing of female infants before or after their birth, regardless of whether they come
from urban or rural areas. Regrettably, this practice still persists today. The United Nations Children's Fund reports that around 50 million women and girls are missing from India's population due to the termination of female fetuses or high mortality rates among young girls caused by inadequate care. However, there has been significant progress for women since the grim era of the 1960s (Ackerson et al., p.702).
Despite ongoing issues of exploitation, such as dowry, rape, sexual harassment, physical abuse, and eve-teasing, India has made progress. The female population now accounts for 48.2% and women are gaining access to education and employment opportunities. From 1960-61 to 2009-2010, the number of girls enrolled at the primary level has increased from 5.4 million to 61.1 million; similarly, at the upper primary level it has risen from 0.5 million to 22.7 million.
Moreover, between 2003 and 2007 (Chattopadhyay et al., p.1430) there was a decrease in school dropout rates by 16.5%.
Women are defying societal expectations and breaking through barriers to achieve highly respected positions in various fields like sports, politics, technology, and literature. They showcase their strength and expertise. The modern woman is so capable and independent that she can be referred to as a superwoman, effortlessly managing multiple responsibilities.
In today's world, women are displaying a strong resolve and attaining success both in their personal lives and professional endeavors. They actively participate in various fields including education, medicine, engineering, teaching, politics, and sports. The way a nation treats its women is indicative of its progress and prosperity (Eapen, Mridul, and Kodoth 250).
Although there have been some advancements, the notion still persists that women are seen as mere objects and are expected
to prioritize their roles as mothers or wives, even when they attain success. This perspective has not experienced significant change, evidenced by a considerable number of women who continue to lack education and get married before turning 18.
Gender inequality is evident in the lack of female employment in well-paying jobs, which leads to parents undervaluing girls' education. In India, around 245 million women are illiterate, highlighting the magnitude of the issue. Urban areas witness a mere 14% female employment rate, while the domestic and agricultural sectors employ only 30%, often subjecting women to exploitation by men (Kumar & AK Shiva, p.892). The prevailing bias against females is reflected in India's sex ratio, indicating that substantial progress is still necessary.
Conclusion
An essential aspect of societal well-being lies in improving women's status as neglecting it hinders overall welfare.
The journey towards achieving full gender empowerment is fraught with challenges, but in recent years women have made significant progress in various fields, narrowing the gap between genders. However, certain issues like the annual trafficking of girls and women, persistent dowry practices, and prevalent rape and sexual abuse continue to undermine these advancements. As a result, women still face violence from their own family members even as they advance professionally. Despite considerable progress compared to the past, there is still a long way to go in attaining true gender equality.
Despite women venturing outside their homes, they confront a difficult and exploitative society that often perceives them solely as vehicles for reproduction. Contemporary women must combat societal biases to be acknowledged as equal contributors to their country's advancement. It is crucial to acknowledge that the Indian constitution does not enforce the notion
that women should solely assume domestic responsibilities; rather, it ensures equality for both genders. Regrettably, society continues to fall short in treating men and women equitably.
There will be improvements within the community in the near future, although not immediately.
Works Cited
- Kingdon, Geeta Gandhi. "The progress of school education in India." Oxford Review of Economic Policy 23.2 (2007): 168-195.
- Kumar, AK Shiva. "UNDP's gender-related development index: A computation for Indian states." Economic and Political Weekly (1996): 887-895.
- Neft, Naomi, and Ann D. Levine. Where women stand: an international report on the status of women in 140 countries, 1997-1998. Random House Inc, 1997.
- Mies, Maria. Patriarchy and accumulation on a world scale: Women in the international division of labour. Palgrave Macmillan, 1998.
- Chattopadhyay, Raghabendra, and Esther Duflo. "Women as policy makers: Evidence from a randomized policy experiment in India." Econometrica 72.5 (2004): 1409-1443.
- Kishor, Sunita, and Kamla Gupta.
"Women's empowerment in India and its states: evidence from the NFHS." Economic and Political Weekly (2004): 694-712.
