–Written By Neeraj Kumar Jain
BA LLB
1st Year
USLLS
Kaplana Chawla and Sunita Williams may travel in space, Pratibha Patil may be the President of India, and Mary Kom may be the World Champion. Yes, these women in the country are making wonders. But like the Seven Wonders of the World, these women-wonders may be counted on the tips.
More than half of the women population is still living in rural, tribal and slum areas where they can’t hear even the names of these personalities. They constitute about half of the total population. They as women in all social groups, are more illiterate than men. Like others social groups, they share problems related to reproductive health. When primary and secondary subsistence activities are counted, women work more than men. Status of women varies in different societies. The conceptual framework to analyse women’s status comprise the seven roles women play in life and work: – parental, conjugal, domestic, kin, occupational, community and as an individual. Role of women is not only of importance in economic activities, but her role in non-economic activities is equally important. Women work very hard, in some cases even more than the men.
Modernization is bringing changes, which affect men and women differently. India as a whole is characterized by sharp gender disparities, although women’s status varies considerably by region. On virtually all the frontiers of human societal pursuits-economic, educational, scientific, legal, political, official, political and religious sphere Indian women suffer profoundly.
With a secondary status, women play but a submissive role in social life. Despite several economic, political and social changes, women are still far behind. One of the most unflattering statistics concerning India’s girl child shows that the preference for a son runs across rich as well as poor households, educated as well as illiterate families. Widespread use of modern technology, a joint failure of medical ethics and failure to shed concept of a male heir has pushed female foeticide to high proportions. Female foeticide is just one side of the vast anti-women behavioural range in India. The tragedy is that even women, who have the choice, opt for a male child. They feel that only with the birth of a son, they will achieve higher status.
The situation of the fair sea in these areas is quite miserable. Life of women in rural, tribal and slum areas is beyond literacy, equality, freedom and even far away from hygienic and normal health conditions. Even after seven decades of freedom, they are living in the darkness of illiteracy, poor, health, malnutrition and poor sanitation. Question is what we must do to bring dawn in their life?
Education is the first dose to be given to each and every women of the country, to give some relief to their paralysed life. They must be educated about their rights as a human being. They should be taught that they are also an important part of the society and not only a child bearing machine. They are not a payless labour. Need of small family should be told to each and every women. It must be brought to their knowledge that it is not only easy to take care of small family but it is healthier also for them. Education will help in interaction with rest of the world which will enable them to be powerful.
The next important thing to be done is that we have to multiply Keshav of “Toilet Ek Prem Katha” in thousands throughout the country. It is a basic right of every woman to have a private toilet in their home. It is a necessity. Fortunately our honourable Prime Minister is taking care of the issue. It is not only inconvenient for women to have a home without toilet but it is hazardous also.
Importance of hygiene during menstrual period should be the next important topic to bring in knowledge of women of rural, tribal and slum areas. Still “Pad man” has not access to these areas. As Ex Miss World – “Dr. Manushi Chillar” is trying to launch a campaign for the purpose. Although we need to improve a lot from our present condition, but statistical data show much improvement in our condition than the past and we hope of keep on improving.
Shoulders of the young men of the country are enough powerful to bear the burden of changing the life of their better half. The day is not far when the rays of education, health and dignity will spread in the rural, tribal and slum areas.
