The social, economic, and emotional health of a country is reflected in how women are treated. The patriarchy that pervades Indian culture makes life difficult for Indian women. Women face discrimination in a number of areas, including health, education, and employment, which is considered to be socio-cultural discrimination. The fact that more than half of women’s labor is unpaid makes the scenario frightening. They also make up the majority of the unorganized sector, making them susceptible to prejudice and other fiscal hardships.
Indian women have consistently been treated unfairly and unequally to males, as evidenced by the country’s history. The dowry system, child marriage, the sati system, and female infanticide were all widespread social ills in the early times. Social issues like sati were common in medieval India. Additionally, the purdah system was much more prevalent during this time. The Indian constitution gave women numerous rights in India after independence. The primary components are freedom from discrimination, equality, and dignity.
In recent years, India has made great strides towards enacting gender changes that will empower women. Although gender-based inequality and discrimination have a long past in the nation, there has been a concerted effort to resolve these problems and advance gender equality in all walks of life. Women in India continue to face discrimination, harassment, humiliation, and exploitation both inside and outside the house despite the country’s numerous changes. Although women may theoretically have more freedom, in reality they face numerous difficulties, degrading treatment, and inhumane dignities everywhere. Following are a few of the difficulties that women in India are currently facing:
- Lack of Maternal care
- Lack of Health care and Nutrition
- Lack of Education
- Child marriages
- Denial of equal opportunity in jobs
- Sexual Harassment at the workplace
- Lack of sanitation
- Lack of Political participation of women
In addition to outlining gender equality as a basic right in the preamble of the Indian Constitution, it also grants some state authorities the authority to enact laws and other forms of positive discrimination that are in favour of women. In order to guarantee equitable rights for women, India has also ratified a number of international conventions and human rights organizations, such as the 1993 convention on the abolition of all forms of discrimination against women.
The public sector and the government must play significant parts in ensuring women’s welfare across a range of sectors in order to ensure their empowerment. A number of programs have been introduced in recent years to empower women and give them the tools they need to live autonomous lives, including free cooking gas, education programs, and technology-enabled opportunities. In recent years, India has made great strides toward enacting gender changes that will empower women. Although gender-based inequality and discrimination have a long past in the nation, there has been a concerted effort to resolve these problems and advance gender equality in every aspect of life.
The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, passed in 2017[1], represents one of India’s most important gender reforms. The length of maternity leave is increased by this legislation from 12 to 26 weeks. The lives of working women in India have been significantly impacted by this law, especially those who labour in the organized sector. They can now take more time off to care for their infants without having to worry about losing their employment or encountering other forms of discrimination as a result.
The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal[2]) Act, which was passed in 2013, represents another significant advancement in gender equality. By prohibiting unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other sexually explicit behavior, this legislation aims to safeguard women from sexual harassment at work. Working women in India now have the opportunity to do so in a setting that is free from harassment, which has a substantial positive impact on their lives.
The representation of women in politics and other public areas has improved in India. The 73rd and 74th Amendments to the Constitution[3], adopted by the nation in 1993, designate one-third of the seats in local governing organizations for females. This has increased the number of women in leadership roles and aided in the advancement of gender equality in the political realm.
There have also been campaigns in India to support gender equality and women’s empowerment, with an emphasis on things like employment, health, and education. The Save the Girl Child, Educate the Girl Child (Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao[4]) campaign was started in 2015 with the intention of addressing gender-based discrimination problems and promoting education for girls. More parents now understand the value of educating their daughters, which has had a major impact on the lives of girls in India. It was introduced on January 22, 2015, in Panipat, Haryana, with the intention of raising consciousness and enhancing the effectiveness of services provided to girls in need. The campaign’s original goal was to address the declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR), but it has since expanded to include gender-biased sex-selective eliminations and spreading awareness of education, female child survival, and protection.
Mahila-E-Haat In 2016[5], the government established Mahila-E-Haat, which is overseen by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. It is a bilingual online marketing tool that makes use of technology to assist aspiring women business owners, self-help organizations, and NGOs in showcasing their goods and services. The government established the Working Women Hostels to guarantee that working families could find safe, practical housing in urban, semi-urban and rural areas, along with creche facilities for their kids, whenever feasible.
The STEP programme [6] was created to give women the skills they need to find gainful work. Additionally, it gives women the necessary skills and instruction to launch their own businesses. It is accessible to all women over the age of 16, and it is operated through a grant provided to a facility or organization, including NGOs.
Another important gender reform has been the passing of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act in 2013. This law seeks to protect women from sexual harassment at the workplace, which includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favours, and other forms of sexually-oriented behaviour. The law has had a significant impact on the lives of working women in India, who are now able to work in a safe and harassment-free environment.
India has also made progress in increasing the representation of women in politics and other public spheres. The country passed the 73rd and 74th Amendments to the Constitution in 1993, which reserve one-third of seats in local government bodies for women. This has led to an increase in the number of women in positions of power and has helped to promote gender equality in the political sphere.
However, despite the progress made in recent years, there is still a long way to go toward achieving gender equality in India. The country still faces many challenges, including deeply ingrained social norms and attitudes toward gender roles. Nonetheless, the gender reforms made so far are encouraging, and there is hope that India will continue to make strides towards a more equal and just society for all.
Conclusion
The change in social reforms norms and mindset towards girls and women can be brought about through institutional initiatives. This involves the family, the community. religious and educational institutions. The state, as the largest public institution can initiate, strengthen and ensure the implementation its economic and social policies for gender equality. This will have a strong and effective impact the subjective changes in perceptions and expectations toward girls and women. Change is needed at the macro and micro levels with wider participation of people.
[1] Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017 (No. 6 of 2017).
[2] THE SEXUAL HARASSMENT OF WOMEN AT WORKPLACE (PREVENTION, PROHIBITION AND REDRESSAL) ACT, 2013
ACT NO. 14 OF 2013
[3] the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992 on April 24, 1993, and the Constitution (74th Amendment) Act, 1992 on June 1, 1993
[4] Beti Bachao Beti Pad hao (BBBP) was launched by the Prime Minister on 22nd January 2015 at Panipat, Haryana
[5] Mahila E-haat online marketing platform is launched on 7th March 2016
[6] SUPPORT TO TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMME FOR WOMEN
(STEP)