Women have been an integral part of India’s culture and society since ancient times. However the status of women in India has been a topic of debate and concern for many years. Despite the progress made in recent years, there are still many challenges that women in India face today. The culture of tradition in India is considered as old and great all over the world where people used to worship various female goddesses, saints and poets.
India is also a powerful nation and famous worldwide for being the largest democracy in the world; however, women backwardness is also very clear in the Indian society because of social issues, problems and lots of restrictions against women. Women belonging to the lower and middle class families suffer more than the women of higher class families. Women in Indian society generally face problems of sex discrimination, high percentage of illiteracy, female infanticide, dowry system etc.
Women are treated as living things of the house following all the old cultures, traditions and restrictions of the society. Earlier the elders of the family were not happy with the birth of a female child in the home, however they became doubly happy if the child was male. They understood that male child will be the source of money whereas a female child will be the consumer of money. Birth of a daughter was supposed to be the curse of the family.
The gradual positive changes in Indian society has been proved to be beneficial for women status. Positive thinking of people has taken a swift speed which has changed human mind politically, economically and socially towards women.
ISSUE AND PROBLEMS FACED BY WOMEN IN INDIA
There are various issues and problems which women generally face in the society of India. Some of the problems are mentioned and describes below:
1) Violence Against Women- Women are getting affected by the various violence almost every day which is disrupting society. Women are being victims of violence at a huge level day by day because of increasing crime against women. Women is getting kidnapped at every 44 minutes, raped every 47 minutes, 17 dowry deaths every day. They may face violence within the family (dowry related harassment, death, marital rape, wife battering, sexual abuse, deprivation of healthy food, female genital mutilation, etc.) or outside the family (kidnapping, rape, murder, etc)
2) Gender Discrimination & Inequality- Women are considered a weaker section of society than men and given less importance. There is also discrimination of power and work between men and women because of the patriarchal system of families in India. Most of the women and girls in India do not fully enjoy many of their rights due to deeply entrenched patriarchal views, norms, traditions and structures.
India will not fully develop unless both girls and boys and men and women are equally supported to reach their full potential. With the prevalence of gender discrimination and social norms and practices, girls and women become to exposed to the possibility of child marriage, teenage pregnancy, child domestic work, poor education and health, nutrition, decline of female population, job, public life, sexual abuse, exploitation and violence. Many of these manifestations do not change unless girls and women are valued more.
3) Problems related to Unemployment- Women are getting more problems in searching for suitable work. They become more prone to exploitation and harassment in the work areas.
4) Family Burden- The stereotype that girls are a burden of their parents will affect their life and shatter their dreams and goals. It also creates a feeling of being inferior to others and raises negative feelings among them. for e.g.- not safe outside, restriction on so many things, being quiet and many more such things.
5) Problems of Female Education– Women education percentage is low in India especially in the rural areas because they are discouraged for higher education like professional and technical education. The level of women’s education is less than men still in the modern age. Female illiteracy is higher in rural areas, where over 63% or more women remain unlettered.
6) Abortion and female infanticide – It is the common practice of years in India which abortion of female fetus is performed in the womb of mother after the fetal sex determination and sex selective abortion by the medical professionals.
7) Sexual Harassment- It is the form of sexual exploitation of a girl child at home, streets, public places, transport, offices, etc by family members, neighbors, friends or relatives.
8) Child Marriages– Early marriage of the girls by her parents in order to escape from dowry. It is highly practiced in rural India.
9) Dowry System- It is another huge women problem in society which is increasing day by day. Women are ill-treated, man handled, disrespected, tortured and suffered other cruelties (violence, murder and suicide) because of lack of dowry at the time of marriage. It causes degradation of women’s status to a greater extent.
10) Status of Widow- Widows are considered as worthless in Indian society. They are treated poorly and forced to wear white clothes.
LEGAL RIGHTS FOR WOMEN
Women in India have various legal rights over the years to promote gender equality and protect their interests. Here are some of the important legal rights that women in India have:-
1) RIGHT TO EQUALITY
Women’s rights are human rights. Women are humans, so women and girls are due to the same fundamental rights such as education, a life free from violence, a fair wedge or the vote. However, worldwide there are many human beings denied the human rights they are entitled to simply because they are women and girls. Not a single country in the world has yet achieved gender justice. In many places, women are risking their lives by speaking up to assert their rights.
2) RIGHT TO SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
Everyone should be able to make decisions about their body. Every woman and girl has sexual and reproductive rights. This means they are entitled to equal access to health services like contraception and safe abortions to choose when and who they marry and to decide if they want to have children and if so how many, when and with who.
Women should be able to live without fear of gender-based violence, including rape and sexual violence, female genital mutilation (FGM), forced marriage, forced pregnancy, forced abortion or forced sterilization. But there’s a long way to go until all women enjoy these rights.
3) RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT
Freedom of movement is the right to move around freely as we please- not just within the country we live in, but also visit others. But many women face real challenges when it comes to this. They may not have their own passports or they might have to seek permission from male guardian in order to travel.
4) RIGHT TO SAFETY
Women have the right to be free from violence, harassment and discrimination and removing the barriers of an unsafe environment can help women fulfill their potential as individuals and as contribution to work, communities and economies.
5) RIGHT TO FEMINISM AND WOMEN’S RIGHT
When looking at women’s rights it’s helpful to have an understanding of feminism. At its core, feminism is the belief that women are entitled to political, economic and social equality. Feminism is committed to ensuring women can fully enjoy their rights on equal footing with men.
IMPORTANCE OF WOMEN’S RIGHT
Women rights are very important for everyone all over the world. It does not just benefit her but every member of society. When women get equal rights, the world can progress together with everyone playing an essential role. Women rights are important as it gives women the opportunity to get an education and earn in life. It makes them independent which is essential for every woman on earth. Thus, we must all make sure women rights are implemented everywhere.
SOLUTIONS
1) EMPOWERMENT CIRCLE– Organize an empowerment circle where girls and women take turns sharing their strengths, accomplishments, and future goals. This activity helps them recognize their potential and the power within themselves, while also fostering a sense of community and mutual support.
2) LEARNING TO SPEAK UP- We have a right to speak up for ourselves in the free world and when we do not use it, we give up our power and freedom. We also have a responsibility to speak up for equality and fairness in society. The freedom we enjoy today is a result of the voice of women who fought for our rights. And the onus is on us to do the same for the next generation of women.
3) DON’T BE AFRAID TO STAND ALONE- Be passionate about what you believe in and do not be afraid to stand alone. When you know it’s that important, don’t be afraid. If you feel strongly about a certain position and certain values or a certain view, then you should be able to stand alone.
4) CAMPAIGN- For many years women’s rights movements have fought hard to address this inequality, campaigning to change laws or taking to the streets to demand their rights are respected. And new movements have flourished in the digital age, such as the #Me campaign which highlights the prevalence of gender-based violence and sexual harassment.
You can support gender equality and women’s empowerment around the world by getting involved in a number of ways. Take part in one of Women’s campaigns; raise awareness on social media; or donate to help us achieve our mission. Your voice matters. Your actions make it real.
5) TALK SHOW- There are many talk shows like podcasts, radio fm, voice of women, etc. where women can participate to share their feelings and raise her voice.
WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO STAND UP FOR WOMEN’S RIGHT ???
1) Protecting Women’s Rights makes the world a Better Place
Gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls is not just a goal in itself, but a key to sustainable development, economic growth, peace and security. Society gets better for everyone when women’s rights are upheld and taken seriously.
2) We are stronger when we work together
Although grassroots movements have done so much to effect change, when everyone comes together to support women’s rights we can be so much stronger. By working alongside individual activists and campaigners on the ground as well as running our own targeted campaigns and movements in the fights for women’s rights.
3) Women’s Rights are Human Rights
It might seem like an obvious point, but we cannot have a free and equal society until everyone is free and equal. Until women enjoy the same rights as men, this inequality is everyone’s problem.
FINAL NOTE
Just as we say that youth of today are the citizens of tomorrow, so is the same with our girls. They are the women of tomorrow. If we want to empower them, we must reduce inequality and gender gaps and create strong women leaders. We have to let them live today and raise them to be leaders of equality and development. So make a house feel like home. So go ahead and welcome the girl child with a warm embrace!!!
The Momma Clan 
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