Bakhtaver Hassan and Misbah Shah
India is a country having unique culture in the world. Women held a very important position in the ancient Indian society. Analysis of the history of the world civilization in general and India in particular reviels that world women have enjoyed status of respect and authority in the past. In Vedic period, for example, women enjoyed a position fairly equal to men. Margaret Cornack in her study She Who Rides a Peacock argues that “[traditional India has always accorded women a high place and indeed equality.” There is literary evidence to prove that women were powerful in other countries as well. From Cleopatra of Egypt to Mirabai of India, Elizabeth I of England and Jane Austen (one of the most famous female authors of all time), women have been at the forefront of almost every recognized field.
Study of history makes it evident that the contribution of women in the struggle for freedom of India from foreign rule was immense, especially from 1857 to 1947. Our female heroes like Rani Lakshmibai, Bhikaji, Kasturba Gandhi, Sarojini Naidu are true examples of courage and sacrifice. The Indian National Movement, as we know, was divided between those who favoured violent means and those who appealed to masses to resort to non-violent means for achieving their ends. In both camps, the presence of women was conspicuous. There are many like Pritilata Wadedar, Kalpana Datta, Bina Das etc who have gone down unsung in history; while on the other hand there have been many more whose contributions have been overshadowed by the gendered construction of history.
In the post-independence era, the role and responsibilities of women have become more institutionalized and defined. No doubt there are definite provisions regarding women in the Constitution and empowerment schemes galore, but the real empowerment is a major missing. Women are being increasingly objectified at all levels and places. This is evidenced by the rising rate of crimes against women and also by the glaring existence of the issue of women empowerment as a major narrative. Had the women not been left somewhere in the darkness and held back at every stage, the issue of empowering them would not have arisen in the first place. With the increasing modernization and with the ushering in of the so-called age of literacy in India, women are ironically subjected to new lows. The heart rending case of Nirbhaya, and many other unreported and under-hyped Nirbhayas, is the case in point. According to one survey, ninty five women are raped in India every single day. Is it the same country where women are worshipped as goddesses? Who has to be blamed here?
Women are suffering despite the empowerment schemes in place. Women make a significantly large chunk of labour force in India, but the conditions of work are not conducive to a healthy and full participation in the task of nation. Equal pay for equal work remains an unachieved ideal. Harassment at workplace is not uncommon due to which many women are forced to quit. Making a long story short, women remain perpetually disempowered. This begets an important question: Is empowerment alone a panacea? Certainly not! Had it been, there would have been a positive rise in the status of women by now.
Empowering women alone cannot be a solution.The problem, and by extension the solution, lies in the collective mindset of the society. Woman has to be recognized as one valued being who has a right to live with dignity and respect. Imparting right values and views about women in younger generation, from the start of their lives as informed beings can help transform views about women. The syllabi in educational institutions can also create a space for this type of education about society.
There is a snag in the legal enforcement as well. At present our judicial system does not punish minors calling them underage. But punishment is a second step only. First is the reporting of the crime before the appointed authorities. A whole lot of crime goes unnoticed in India not because there is no mechanism in place but because of lack of faith in that mechanism. Officials have to be more encouraging, positively responsive and honest in the reporting and investigation of crimes. Women should stop preferring silence over raising voice. At the same time, women should also visualize their power and strength and stand up with confidence.
The attitude of indoctrinating the women as a weaker sex definitely needs to be changed. Introducing self defence mechanism right from the schooling age can help the girls so that they can survive in a society where evil beings roam freely. The extension of women’s rights and their enforcement in true sense is the basic principle of all social progress. In order to make India a country where women are looked upon with ‘dignity’, we have to ensure the equality of status for one half of the population. The gender equality has to be made a norm rather than an aberration.
(The authors are PG in Economics)
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