The contemporary discourse credits the modern world exclusively with improving the status of women. But in a country with a history spanning 5,000 years and multiplicity of languages, customs and cultural practices, Indian women enjoyed high status since long back. Gargi, Maitreyi, Apala and other women of the Vedic lore illustrate the high status of Indian women in ancient times.
The tradition of “Brahmabadinis” — women celibate pursuing intellectual studies for life, existed in ancient India. Indian women, who have played a big role in moulding culture, civilisation, art and religion, have also handled statecraft from the time of Draupadi, Rani lakshmi Bai to Indira Gandhi — something which no other society in the world can possibly boast of.
The Indian freedom movement was driven by the symbol of mother India and devotion to her in the song “Vande Mataram” which singularly inspired the freedom fighters to undertake high sacrifices. Indira Gandhi who became the Prime Minister of India in 1966 was compared with Goddess Durga when she won the 1971 war. Western tradition has classified women as the weaker sex, which influenced the modern western politics with their prejudice. But in India, women have been equated with power and divinity while confluence of man and woman (Ardhanariswara) symbolises gender harmony.
But in the present scenario, Indian women’s journey toward gender equality is in doldrums. By the end of 20th century, the ideals of wiping the last tear from the eye of the deprived class and a socialistic society have been overpowered by populist rhetoric of establishing a laissez faire society. New market forces with their emphasis on technology and management are determining the contours of national development, including women’s issues.
Prior to Independence, of course, there was no dearth of research on women’s issues, though the primary concern of scholars then was to depict a linear and glorified account of a woman’s position. Other areas were child marriage, widowhood, legal and educational disabilities. The declaration the International Year of Women in 1975 led to a spate of activities on women’s issues. Gradually gender emerged both as a category and unit of analysis. A woman’s work is of tremendous value to a family, society and State, but her contribution has always remained invisible. In education, the goal of total literacy declared at the time of Independence, has not been realised. Dropouts and shifts in disciplines in higher education are now a serious concern. Family is a crucial institution for woman. But here she suffers tensions and pressures.
Regarding political participation of women, leaders cutting across party line and ideological divides paint one picture of the 21st century women in India. However, when it comes to allowing equal footing to the women, the same leaders vigorously pursue one agenda--block the Women’s Reservation Bill in Parliament.
Women need to snatch away their rights, rather than wait and watch for others to deliver them at their doorsteps. Only hard work and commitment will succeed where legislation might fail. Now-a-days we find rampant violence and atrocity against women because of easy accessibility to contents that shatter our moral fabric. At a click of the mouse, one can get all socially prohibited facts and pictures. Gone are the days when people frowned upon these things. Stereotyped projection of woman in different suggestive postures is shown in different commercial advertisements where she is presented as a commodity. Women are being made scapegoats for easy money. The recent catch line of a song best illustrates this, “Pinky hai paisa walonki”. Commodification of women has created lots of problems.
Despite constitutional provision for equality, women experience inequality because of patriarchal nature of personal laws. They suffer from social evils and stigmas in spite of positive provisions of the legal system in India. Yet law is expected to be effective as one of the major instruments of social change. As we look back, we find women carving out space for themselves with innovative initiatives and shaping history with their questioning and determined struggles.
(The writer is Information Officer, Government of Odisha)