Discuss the causes for the evolution of women's status in India.
Discuss the causes for the evolution of women's status in India.
Discuss the evolution of women's status in India.
Discuss the evolution of women's status after independence.
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Evolution of women's status:-
Since the beginning of the modern era in India, especially after independence, there has been a significant change in the status of women. Women's equal rights have been established in all areas of society, politics, workplace, economic rights, inheritance of property - etc. The notable issues related to the evolution of women's status are -
1. Various laws:-
Various constitutional laws of India have accelerated the evolution of women's status. Some of the notable laws among these laws are - Hindu Marriage Act 1955, Hindu Succession Act 1956, Special Marriage Act 1954, Dowry Prohibition Act 1961, Equal Remuneration Act 1976. These laws deny the prevailing lack of rights for women in India and establish the rights and dignity of women in all fields.
2. Constitutional system:-
The Indian Constitution has recognized some special fundamental rights and freedoms. While granting all these rights, no distinction was made between men and women. Notable among these rights are the right to equality in Articles 14-18, the right to freedom in Articles 19-22, the right against exploitation in Articles 23-24, the right to religious freedom in Articles 25-28, the right to constitutional remedies in Articles 32 and 226 - etc. All these rights establish women on an equal footing with men in terms of social rights.
3. Expansion of education:-
Before independence, women's education was neglected in India for thousands of years. But after independence, special initiatives were taken to expand women's education in India. Earlier, the expansion of women's education was initiated by the efforts of Vidyasagar, Rammohan and others. After independence, when various commissions and committees were formed for the expansion of education in India, each committee and commission strongly advocated the expansion of women's education. University Education Commission, Mudaliar Commission, Kothari Commission, National Education Policy - all recommended taking special measures for the expansion of women's education. Then, through the expansion of universal primary education, National Literacy Mission and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, the education of girls as well as boys was ensured.
4. Measures related to economic rights: -
Through various constitutional measures and the expansion of education, efforts were made to make women self-reliant. Then, various measures were taken to make women economically self-reliant. Among these, two very notable schemes are - Swarna Jayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana - through which about 18 lakh women have been made financially self-reliant and about 20 lakh women have been made self-employed through the ICDS scheme. Apart from this, laws like Property Inheritance Act, Factory Act, Equal Remuneration Act etc. have established the economic rights of women.
5. Women's Welfare Programmes: -
The various five-year plans of India play a special role in women's welfare programmes. Especially in the sixth, seventh and eighth five-year plans, many programmes have been taken for the social welfare of women. Expansion of women's education, establishment of constitutional rights, stopping domestic physical and mental torture, establishment of rehabilitation centres, establishment of various training centres, short stay homes etc. have been established. In addition, various non-governmental organisations have played a significant role in the social security of women.
6. Political Empowerment of Women:-
The Panchayat Act, which was adopted in the 73rd amendment to the Indian Constitution, reserves one-third of the seats for women at every level of the Panchayat. Seats are also reserved for women in the Municipalities. The issue of political empowerment of women ensures the establishment of rights and evolution of status of women in all spheres of social, economic, etc.
7. Women's Health Promotion Programs:-
Family Welfare Programs, Universal Literacy and Disease Prevention Programs - Apart from this, special steps have been taken in the field of women's health through various other national and international programs. A large number of workers are appointed to supervise women's health in various health and sub-health centers. Special importance is given to programs such as house-to-house inquiry into the health of women and children, providing information about diseases, awareness campaigns on various diseases, special care of mothers and children during pregnancy and maternity, increasing awareness about vaccination and prevention, etc.
8. Increased participation of women in the workplace:-
In modern India, the participation of women in both government and private workplaces has increased. Women are proving their worth in high positions in the government bureaucracy. The participation of women in all fields of education, commerce is particularly notable. The freedom and rights of women in the workplace have been established through the constitutional system of India, the spread of education, etc. As a result of the participation of women in the workplace, there has been a positive evolution in the status of women in the social sphere as a whole.
Finally, it can be said that the issue of the evolution of the status of women is always ongoing. The process of establishing equality of women with men in all fields - political, economic, social - is still ongoing.
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