PROBLEMS FACED BY WOMEN IN INDIA

The interplay and interaction of traditional values and modern ideas in respect of the status of women in India results in a paradoxical picture. Hindu texts describe a woman as a fertile, benevolent, bestower of happiness and also a destroyer of evil (Kali). She is both Shakti (energy / power), the energising principle of the Universe and prakriti (nature), the active female counterpart of the cosmic person 'purusha'. On the other hand, the dominant social norms emphasized her role as wife, mother, daughter and sister. They did not treat her as a person. A woman's identity was defined by her relationship to others which led to segregation on the basis of gender. 

Problems faced by women in India:

 Marriage - In dual-career families in India the wife works both in the office and at home. If the Ganga (cleaning woman) hasn’t turned up, the male maharaja watches TV while the wife washes the dishes. There is no economic value for the work done. The awareness of sharing household chores is slowly being seen in urban areas, however, in rural areas where patriarchy is dominant, the problem continues.

Dowry - There are a few communities in which females receive dowry. But they are looked down upon as ‘backward’. This is because getting dowry is regarded as a male privilege. So, with marriage, apart from becoming a lifetime laborer, the woman brings with herself her lifelong maintenance. In addition, she may be expected to seek employment, and supplement the family income. Research shows that husbands systematically use violence as a means of extracting a larger dowry from their wives.

Dowry Deaths (Bride burning) Even after marriage – and in some cases ‘love marriage’ – many families expect the bride to bring ‘gifts’ from her parents. If her parents are either poor or unwilling to oblige, their daughter may pay the penalty. According to data gathered by WAMA (a women’s organization), women have been murdered for not bringing in dowry as petty items as a gold necklace. WAMA notes that the most horrifying case was that of a young woman who was murdered for not having brought along a buffalo. It is estimated that over 1,00,000 crimes against women are committed by their husband and / or other relatives annually.

Acid attacks - Though not spoken about much, acid attacks, are a serious crime against women, where their identity is shattered. Justice is rarely granted and the women have to struggle for the rest of their lives. 

Rape - Rape is the ultimate indignity a female may be subjected to. Yet such atrocities do occur. Every year in India, 15,000 women are raped. One of the horrifying cases of rape is that of Bhanwari Devi, who was gang-raped by a group of Gujjars (nomadic tribals) after she had strongly objected against their decision to carry out child marriages. Bhanwari Devi received no justice from the Rajasthan government. But she received the Neerja Bhanot award for bravery and was declared a “Savvy” Woman of the Year (1996). Most rape cases go unregistered and unreported because of prestige, social esteem, shame, etc.

Female Foeticide - Ultrasound test is meant to determine birth defects, if any. But it is widely misused for finding out the sex of the unborn child. Due to religious beliefs and the dread of dowry, this information is misused. Some parents kill the unborn child (through abortion) if it happens to be a girl. This practice is most common in Rajasthan, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh.

Preventing Female Births - A technique called prenatal genetic diagnosis for choosing the gender of the child has been developed. With this method, sperm carrying X or Y chromosomes can be separated in a laboratory. Unfortunately, this method is being used to ensure the birth of a boy. Another technique called IVF (in-vitro fertility) which is meant to help childless couples to conceive is being misused. The ‘Wrong’ gender (female) is being prevented from taking seed.

Neglecting the Girl Child - The most common method of obtaining higher death rate for girl children than boys is neglecting the girl child during early childhood. This is responsible for what Amatya Sen calls ‘missing women’.

Child Marriage - The male has a right to choose his life-mate. Females, particularly in rural areas, do not enjoy this privilege. A part of the reason is the practice of child marriage. With regard to females, this custom prevails even today in some of the states.

Widows - Most women pray that they die ‘suhagan’. There is a social sense in this. After the husband’s death, in many communities, particularly in the rural areas, the wife is expected to give up common pleasures. In rare cases, even ‘sati’ may be performed.

Woman’s right over her own body - A marriage may be a failure and yet the husband may assert that, as a man, he enjoys right over his wife’s body. An instance of this is a recent writ petition in the Allahabad High Court. On 4^th May 2005, Rajiv Nandi, an airline executive, filed a petition claiming his right to fatherhood. He wanted the Court to prevent his wife from aborting their baby. This is total denial of a woman’s right over what she may do to her own body.

Low status of a single woman - If a woman remains unmarried, she is looked down upon. If she attends a party, or sees a movie, unaccompanied, doubts are raised about her character. A single male is never subjected to such criticism.

Sex and the single woman - Sex is a biological need. It is felt by males as well as females. A man can satisfy this urge before marriage – or outside his marital life – without condemnation. But society expects a woman not to do so. So, if a female satisfies her sexual need outside her marital life, she is made to feel guilty. This problem is particularly serious for career women. Such women tend to marry late. It is unrealistic to expect that they restrain their sexual need till they marry.

Unwed mothers - Society expects women not to enjoy the pleasures of parenthood without getting married. Yet there are unwed mothers. There is no reason why such women be looked down upon.

Divorced women - Divorces are on the rise, particularly in urban India. Divorced women with children face economic difficulties. Further, even if they are economically independent, their social status is low.

At the work place women are paid lower wages than men. A large part of womens workforce is still in the unorganised sector where wage rules are not firmly established. This situation is exploited by employees.

Barriers to professional advancement and promotion - There is a built-in limitation to women employees when it comes to promotions to responsible positions. Today women are battling this situation and are overcoming barriers.

Glass Ceiling Effect - Women are considered fit only for certain level of services.

Sometimes employees prefer not to select women candidates for fear that they would cause liabilities such as maternity benefits and frequent absence due to domestic responsibilities.

Complaints of Sexual Harassment at Workplace - are common. The problem exists widely in India, but women are reluctant to take action for fear of publicity.

REMEDIES

Women's organisations have begun to play a supportive role. for E.g 'Dilaasa' an NGO at Babha Hospital Bandra, offers counselling, medical ad legal services as well as temporary shelter facilities to victims of domestic abuse.

Help by enlightened men - Males were originally responsible for the low status of women. They must now support women in their fight for equality and dignity.

The youth can play a vital role by refusing dowry as well as by changing the social mindset.

Sharing household tasks will create healthy model homes for growing children who will not differentiate goals and roles in the household.

The task of women's upliftment is a challenging one. to improve the condition of women we need social action. Women's organisations. open minded men, youth, educational institutions, all play an important role in enabling women fight for their rights.