STATUS OF WOMEN IN INDIA

Though this article is very meaningful, yet a serious difficulty is faced in presenting a picture which could cover all categories of women. Within the Indian subcontinent, there have been infinite variations of the status of women, differing according to the cultural milieu, family structures, caste, class, property right etc. we have to specify as to whether we are talking about rural women or urban women, about middle class or lower class women, about Brahmin or scheduled caste woman, about women in the Hindu society or in the Muslim community. All these distinctions are significant determinants of variations in her position in different groups. This unit, however, because of the limited space, will give a very broad picture of India woman specifying wherever possible the rural-urban difference.

Status of woman is affected by certain macro-forces as economic development, political participation, and ideological overtones. It is also shaped by the norms and values society lays down with regard to woman’s behavior. There are numerous prescriptions, sanctions, and constraints which overtly or covertly determine the behavior of a woman. A girl is expected to be docile, shy, non-aggressive, self-effacing. After she reaches puberty she is generally not encouraged to mix with the boys; she should walk slowly, she has to be married early; marriage is obligatory for girls, and so many such dos and don’ts with which I am sure you are familiar.

MYTHS ABOUT INDIAN WOMAN’S POSITION IN SOCEITY

You must have many a times come across people saying that in India a woman is the goddess- Shakti (the power principle).She has to be respected, worshipped and at times feared. Sage manu has said, “Where women are revered, gods abound”. Look at our pantheon of gods. Each god is worshipped along with the consort- Shiva with Parvati, Ram with Sita, Narayan or Vishnu with Laxmi, Krishna with Radha and so on. There are goddesses who have been worshipped in their own rights, e.g. Laxmi, Saraswati, and Mariaman. The principle of power is expressed though these deities

We also hear about the intimate relationship between mother and son maternal feelings of tenderness and nurturance are idealized .Indian man is supposed to be ruled by the mother. She propels him to action

Along with the myth of invisible power possessed by woman, there is another myth which considers woman as docile weak, home-bound creature. She is looked upon as a sex symbol, using her ‘feminine’ charms to disturb the male.

Subservient Status of Woman

But what is the reality? If we look at various proverbs, legends and writings of some of the well known ideologies, the myth of the goddess Shakti is exploded. Famous poet Tulsidas says, “An animal, a rustic, a drum and a woman all require beating”. Sage Manu who had enshrined woman as goddess says, woman does not deserve freedom; she will have to be protected by father, husband and son. What does the legend of the seed and the earth/field suggest? The seed symbolizes father’s contribution to reproduction and field represent the child’s identity. Thus though in reality both man and women are equally important in the reproduction process, the myth is created that man who is the more important determinant.

Reality is quite shocking when we consider the myth of woman as a weakling. Could one call a woman who works ten hours in a knee deep paddy field a weakling? Can you describe a woman fragile who brings loads of work on her head spend six to eight hours in fetching water walking miles? A woman who spends 10-12 hours a day rag-picking for survival - is she idling away her time?

Another myth that she only works at home and man is the bread winner, is also contrary to reality. It has been recorded that nearly ten percent of the households in our county are female headed i.e. women in these households are primarily responsible for maintain the family –this is in spite of the husband‘s presence in the household.

Many times girls are blamed for being sexually harassed or raped. They are supposed to be wearing provocative clothes and very lose in character. When we have instance of a 7- year old girl begin raped or 60 years old woman being harassed or when there is custodial rape, how can we say that women are responsible for these kinds of oppression? Instance of dowry death provide one more proof of the supposedly ‘high’ position of women in society. In New Delhi, in 1983 690 young women died in suspicious conditions.

Thus one could go on talking about the dichotomy that persists. Myths glorify women or devalue them. Reality gives an equally different picture.