Bring women to the fore

Women have always been considered the weaker sex. They have had a hard time in trying to get rid of this label and proving to the world how strong they can be. Today gender equality is seen as a major issue in global development. Although gender discrimination has become discreet in comparison to what had prevailed earlier, it still exists, the extent depending on which part of the country one is in. 

Therefore empowerment of women has become a major concern in the world, not only to make them aware of their rights, but also to develop their power to demand it. There is no need to remind one of the inequality and oppression that prevailed several decades ago. India is no stranger to gender inequality. 

It was in the 19th century that a lot of reform movements relating to women’s issues were undertaken. Raja Ram Mohan Roy raised his voice against practices like child marriage, sati and polygamy. Other thinker like Maharishi Debendra Nath Tagore and Keshub Chandra Sen joined the fight. As a consequence, various legislation banned child marriage and polygamy.

The Constitution of India, adopted in 1950, not only grants equality to women, but also empowers the state to adopt measures to prevent gender discrimination. Various rights have been accorded to women in the Constitution through legislation passed over the years. 

But many women have been deprived of several benefits as society still prefers to keep alive certain rituals and discriminatory practices. Many times, girls are not allowed by parents to have higher education as they would have difficulty in finding a suitable boy to match the girl’s qualifications for marriage. Female foeticide and in fanticide is still common in many areas.

   Empowerment of women is a massive task which cannot be done alone by an individual. It needs every person of society to pitch in and help in carrying out the policies framed by the government. Today, many women’s forum which once protested over crimes against women, have realized that this is not enough.

 A better way is to fight long-term battles to influence policy-making and create awareness of the right. It does not necessarily imply the rectification of an iniquitous relationship; it must be an attempt to change the stereotyped image of women in the country.

In the Indian context, the success of any programme depends upon the milieu in which it operates and therefore an attitudinal change in the community is required. Time will no doubt prove the efficacy of women’s participation and so casting women in a stereotyped role will definitely have to change.