What Is the Present Scenario of Women in Indian Society?

यत्र नार्यस्तु पूज्यन्ते रमन्ते तत्र देवताः । यत्रैतास्तु न पूज्यन्ते सर्वास्तत्राफलाः क्रियाः ॥

In the Vedic and Epic eras of ancient India, women were often viewed as "equal to men." They were treated with respect and thought to represent all of the earth's divine virtues. They were viewed as a great fit for society as a whole, not only for domestic life. Of course, some researchers emphasize the fact that they had a "poor status" by citing various passages from holy texts.

Society is a two-wheeled machine. Both of these two wheels must be equally robust for a smooth run for any society to function effectively. Do you still support girl infanticides, sexual harassment of women, and other extreme societal taboos that make a life for women like hell? If so, you're still on the less effective and weaker side of the wheel. Recognizing that despite 75 years of independence and progress in all spheres of life, we still struggle with societal taboos that date back to the time of our great countrymen is distressing. Although women are generally considered to be socially and legally on par with men, why do we still hear about dowries, harassment of women, and the infanticide of girls? Why does the dominant value system still place women at a disadvantage because of the spirit of male dominance? It is very evident that we are in the same situation as we were 200 years ago.

Women have traditionally been seen as housekeepers. They had to take care of the smooth operation of the household, budget their money as wisely as they could, care for their elderly in-laws, raise the child, etc. They were supposed to follow their husband's instructions as the family's elders, but they were kept out of the loop when it came to important family decisions. In previous times, women did not have much education. The previous assumption was that since they will eventually get married and move live with their future in-laws, they wouldn't require a lot of information. Due to the support of their families, there were women in earlier times who were educated and led successful lives in many different fields of life. These ladies were instrumental in paving the road for change and changing how society perceived women.

Young Indian females experience discrimination from the moment of their birth. The infant death rate for girls is 61% greater than that for boys, according to 2005 data from the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Only two-thirds of females between the ages of six and seventeen are sent to school, compared to three-fourths of boys in the same age group. This gender gap is also apparent in schooling. Additionally, only 46% of women in rural areas are literate, which is less than half as many as men. Girls are frequently, and frequently from a very early age, forced to labour in order to support their families instead of attending school. Even more alarmingly, 25% of women wed before turning 15, and frequently without their will. The health of women is particularly affected by this, and because of their fragile circumstances, they frequently cannot access quality medical care. Poor treatment, assault, and exploitation are common occurrences for many Indian women.

However, things have changed significantly for women in India during the past few decades. Indian women are increasingly participating in municipal and federal politics, and since 2007, Pratibha Patil has been in charge of the nation. Since the 1950 founding of the Indian Republic, she is the first woman to hold this office. Indeed, Indian society upholds a number of women's rights, including the freedom to engage in politics, receive a family allowance, and start a business. However, in rural areas, informational gaps and poverty pose significant obstacles to the independence and empowerment of women. Therefore, in order to give Indian women the status they deserve and open doors to better opportunities, programs geared at increasing human rights, literacy, and microfinance are required for a better future.

In recent years, the situation for women has been progressively evolving. Women are steadily progressing in all significant disciplines. Today's women must venture beyond their comfort zones to develop their own identities outside of the home and beyond only caring for their families and cooking. This can be summed up as women's empowerment. Due to the advancements made by women in many facets of life, society has suddenly shifted its position and how it views women. Despite the fact that males are more considerate of the women in their lives today, there are still many instances of harassment of women.

In the contemporary era, women have undergone a full transformation, with metropolitan women, in particular, changing from being merely homemakers to multitasking, fearless modern women. She had confidently faced the world. Today's women manage household responsibilities and housework, pursue careers outside the home, care for their children, and strike a balance between their personal and professional life. The majority of metropolitan families today look like this. Modern women are autonomous, and courageous in their decisions, speak up for their rights, and follow the successful route. Women who have achieved success include Kalpana Chawla, Indra Nooyi, Susma Swaraj, Aishwarya Rai, Susmita Sen, and numerous others.

The Indian Constitution has substantially improved the status of Indian women by granting them access to all of its provisions on an equal footing with males. Equal access to individual freedom and fundamental rights, such as the freedom to engage in social, cultural, religious, educational, economic, and political activities, is guaranteed to both men and women in India. The Constitution guarantees sex equality and protects women from being exploited. Women now have the right to vote, and it does not treat them like second-class citizens. To protect the interests of women, the government of Independent India adopted a number of legislative actions.

Their condition differs from that of men in social, psychological, and moral dimensions as well. When they begin their careers as adults, society has a different opinion of them. Only a few women break free from the typical feminine environment, and since neither society nor their families provide them with the support they require to actually be on par with men, they do not receive credit as effective role models.