Theoretical overview
Position of women:
Women from different sections of the society are placed in very different situations in modern India. Some women are entering new fields and achieving the same feats as men, while some girls are being killed even before they are born. In earlier times women were seen only in the household, but this expectation is changing slowly, as they are coming to the fore and challenging traditional mindsets.
Status of women During the British Rule
After the fall of the Mughal Empire at the decisive Battle of Plassey (1775 A.D) the British people established their complete political supremacy over the Indian people. During the British rule, a number of changes were made in the economic and social structures of our society.
Though the quality of life of women during this period remained more or less the same, some substantial progress was achieved in eliminating inequalities between men and women in education, employment, social right and so on. Some social evils such as child marriage, sati system, devadasi system, purdah system, prohibition of widow remarriage etc., which were a great hurdle in the path of women’s progress were either controlled or removed by suitable legislations.
The status of women in post independent India
The status of Indian women has radically changed since independence. Bothe the structural and cultural changes provided equality of opportunities to women in education, employment and political participation. With the help of these changes, exploitation of women, to a great extent was reduced. More freedom and better orientation were provided to the women’s organisation to pursue their interest.
The Government of Independent India undertook a number of legislative measures to safeguard the interests of women:
The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955: It prohibits polygyny, polyandry and child marriage and concedes equal rights to women to divorce and to remarry.
The Hindu succession Act, 1956: It provides the right to parental property for women.
The dowry prohibition Act, 1961: It declares the taking of dowry an unlawful activity and thereby prevents the exploitation of women.
Points to remember
- women are entering new fields and achieving the same feats as men, while some girls are being killed even before they are born. In earlier times women were seen only in the household, but this expectation is changing slowly, as they are coming to the fore and challenging traditional mindsets.
- The status of Indian women has radically changed since independence. Bothe the structural and cultural changes provided equality of opportunities to women in education, employment and political participation.
- Many measures were take to protect the interest of women such as widow remarriage act 1955, hindu succession act 1956, the dowry prohibition act 1961.
