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Exam (elaborations) USOTE603 (USOTE603)
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VISION IASwww.visionias.in
GSLV Mark III
1. Introduction:
The status of women in India has been subject to many great changes over the past few millennia. From equal
status with men in ancient times through the low points of the medieval period, to the promotion of equal
rights by many reformers, the history of women in India has been eventful. In modern India, women have held
high offices including that of the President, Prime Minister, Speaker of the Lok Sabha and Leader of the
Opposition. However, women in India continue to face atrocities such as rape, acid throwing, dowry killings, and
the forced prostitution of young girls.
Traditions such as Sati, Jauhar, and Devadasi among some communities have been banned and are largely
defunct in modern India. However, some instances of these practices are still found in remote parts of India.
Child marriage remains common in rural areas, although it is illegal under current Indian law.
The condition of women in India has always been a matter of grave concern. Since the past several centuries, the
women of India were never given equal status and opportunities as compared to that of their male counterparts.
The patriarchal nature of Indian society, which even though gives respect to women as they are our mothers and
sisters, has greatly hampered both the independence as well as the safety of women. Women in India continue
to face violence from womb to the tomb. While in womb they face the ever looming threat of feticide and after
birth, they are subject to various forms of violence and harassment at different points of their lives, at the hands
of different actors, ranging from their parents to their husbands to the members of general public to their
employers.
This state of affairs exists even when the Constitution of India guarantees to all Indian women equality (Article
14), no discrimination by the State (Article 15(1)), equality of opportunity (Article 16), and equal pay for equal
work (Article 39(d)). In addition, it allows special provisions to be made by the State in favor of women and
children (Article 15(3)), renounces practices derogatory to the dignity of women (Article 51(A) (e)), and also
allows for provisions to be made by the State for securing just and humane conditions of work and for maternity
relief (Article 42).
Despite all these constitutional and legal measures there is lot of atrocities and injustices prevailing in India. It is
an irony that, a country where religious and cultural traditions keep women in high esteem, and women are
worshiped in the form of many deities, atrocities against them are on the rise. According to 1992-93 figures, only
9.2% of the households in India were headed by females. However, approximately 35% of the households below
the poverty line were found to be headed by females.
Every single day single women, young girls, mothers and women from all walks of life are being assaulted,
molested, and violated. The streets, public transport, public spaces in particular have become the territory of the
hunters. While the ones already hunted down weep in silence or in disdain, the rest fight their way to a basic life
with dignity. There is an unspoken war on the streets. Young school and college going girls use books to shield
themselves, other women wear full-covered attire to protect their bodies, and others avoid the mere glance of
the roving gaze.
1 www.visionias.in ©Vision IAS
, We don't need to look at statistics to confront the horrid truth. News stories of women from all over India being
raped, beaten, killed are flashed across us day after day – and we all are aware of it. The fatal Nirbhaya gang-
rape saw an outpouring on the streets of Delhi – protests decrying the fragile status of women in India. Candle
light marches, editorials examining the patriarchal and sexist traditions of our country, an awakening on social
media – even conversations on streets revolve around the night they cannot forget: the night that took
Nirbhaya.
Before going into the various dimensions of crimes against women and causes thereof let’s first trace a brief
history of Women’s movement in India.
2. Movement for women’s welfare and security:
Feminist activism in India gained momentum in the late 1970s. One of the first national-level issues that brought
women's groups together was the Mathura rape case. The acquittal of policemen accused of raping a young girl
in a police station led to country-wide protests in 1979-1980. The protests, widely covered by the national
media, forced the Government to amend the Evidence Act, the Criminal Procedure Code, and the Indian Penal
Code; and created a new offence, custodial rape. Female activists also united over issues such as female
infanticide, gender bias, women's health, women's safety, and women's literacy.
Since alcoholism is often associated with violence against women in India, many women groups launched anti-
liquor campaigns in Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and other states.
Many Indian Muslim women have questioned the fundamental leaders' interpretation of women's rights under
the Shariat law and have criticized the triple talaq system.
In 1990s, grants from foreign donor agencies enabled the formation of new women-oriented NGOs. Self-help
groups and NGOs such as Self Employed Women's Association (SEWA) have played a major role in the
advancement of women's rights in India. Many women have emerged as leaders of local movements; for
example, Medha Patkar of the Narmada Bachao Andolan.
The Government of India declared 2001 as the Year of Women's Empowerment (Swashakti). The National Policy
for the Empowerment of Women was launched in 2001. Under this policy various policies and programmes were
launched for the empowerment of women. Of late under this policy, the ongoing policies for women
empowerment were merged for better coordination.
Despite all these, there is an unspoken truth that women in India are subjected to lot of hardships. Perhaps, the
biggest crime against humanity is perpetrated against women, threatening their safety and security. Let’s discuss
some crimes against women.
3. Domestic Violence:
Domestic violence, or intimate partner violence (IPV) as it is sometimes called, is a worldwide problem. Cultural
and household stress factors contribute to the prevalence of domestic violence, and it has been argued that
these factors need to be thoroughly addressed through such channels as the institutionalization of routine
screening for warning signs of domestic violence by health professionals, legislation (along with feasible
mechanisms for enforcement), and support and empowerment stemming from women’s groups.
Domestic violence in India is endemic. Around 70% of women in India are victims of domestic violence, according
to a former Union minister for Women and Child Development. This all occurs despite the fact that women
in India are legally protected from domestic abuse under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act.
There may be different types of domestic violence; some of them are discussed below.
2 www.visionias.in ©Vision IAS
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