WOMEN: The Emergence of Women's Status from Ancient to Modern India, Role of Women and Women's Organization
Historical data signified that women have had many roles in civilization since ancient times and these roles are changing over the period. In a society, the status of people can be assessed by the importance of women in that culture. Many factors that rationalize the magnitude of India's ancient culture is the respectable place granted to women. In ancient culture, women had to suffer from unequal conditions, but as time passed, females had enhanced their status to get equality to the men. Earlier, women were only allowed for doing domestic activity and their contribution in public was very restricted.
The status of women in India has been subjected to many great changes over the past decades. 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 exciting.
However, women in India generally are still exposed to numerous social issues. According to a global study conducted by Thomson Reuters, India is the "fourth most unsafe country" in the world for women.
Women in India:
The status of women in India has undergone drastic changes over the past few millennia(1). In ancient times, Indian women were completely devoted to their families. In the Medieval period, known as the 'Dark Age', the status of women declined considerably. They were not allowed to go out, and move with others. They were asked to stay at home and take care of their children. In India, the early marriage of a girl was practiced. After Independence women came forward in all the sectors and there were remarkable changes in the status of women in the field of education, Art, and Culture.
Role of Women in Prehistoric Time:
=> Indus valley civilization: During the period of Indus valley civilization, the status of women was fairly good. They were given equal honor along as men in the culture. During the Rig Vedic period, women had superior status and they got more liberty and equality with men. In the education sphere, both boys and girls were having equal opportunities. In this period, freedom of marriage and remarriage of widows to be allowed.
The Age of the Upanishads:
=> Age of Sutras and Epics: The Grihya-sutras give comprehensive rules concerning the proper seasons for marriage, qualifications of bride and bridegroom. The bride is at a mature age, over 15 or 16. The women held a respectable status in the household. She was permissible to sing, dance, and enjoy life. Widow Remarriage was permissible under certain circumstances. In case a mature girl was not married at a proper time by her father, she could choose her husband after three years of waiting.
Women in the Early Medieval Period:
In this period women were generally considered mentally sub-standard. Their responsibility was to obey their husband blindly. the eligible age for girls to marry was lowered, thus depriving(2) their opportunities to get higher education. Daughters of high administrators, courtesans and concubines were also supposed to be highly skilled in the various arts, including poetry. Remarriage was allowed under certain conditions when the husband had deserted or died, or adopted the life of a recluse, or was impotent or had become an outcast. The practice of Sati was made mandatory.
Women in medieval India:
Medieval Indian history principally dominated by Muslim rulers. During this period women were deprived of opportunities of any education, having lost access to Streedhana or dowry. Indian women were politically, socially, and economically indolent except for those engaged in farming and weaving. Other social evils in this period were female infanticide(3), Sati, child marriages, Purdah system(covering the whole body). Polygamy was the first reason which contributed to the demotion of women. Another negative effect of the dowry system was that there was a degradation of the Indian woman. She began to be regarded as transportable and removable property by her husband. The medieval society of the time stimulated "Sati" which referred to the self-immolation of the widow. It was thought that by burning herself on the fire of her husband, she proves her devotion. Another heinous torture of women was prostitution which became a recognized institution. The Devadasi system which was predominant among the Hindus and the courtesans who ornamented the court of Muslim rulers dishonored the status of women in civilization.
Women in Modern India:
Women in modern India have been influenced by the programs of modification and upliftment which brought about a fundamental change in their status. In the British period, some considerable progress was accomplished in the removal of inequalities between men and women, in education, employment, social rights. At the end of the Nineteenth Century, women in India suffered from infirmities like, child-marriage, the practice of polygamy, sale of girls for marriage purposes, severe restrictions on widows, non-access to education and restricting oneself to domestic and child-bearing functions. The Indian National Conference started in 1885 by Justice Ranade contained these disabilities.
Renowned social reformer, Raja Ram Mohun Roy(abolished Sati system), Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar(movement for the right of widows to remarry and educate women), Maharaja S. Rao, Other eminent personality like Swami Vivekananda, Annie Besant, and Mahatma Gandhi, Swami Dayanand Saraswati also had an interest in the social and political rights of women.
In modern times women are actively participating in every field of life. Indian women are well-known in various fields of life as politicians, orators, lawyers, doctors, administrators, and diplomats. It is a truth that women are intelligent, devoted, and efficient at work. In various fields, they are now competing successfully with men. Women's contributions to politics and social services have also been significant. Lively example of Indira Gandhi(who excelled so brilliantly and ecstatically in the expanse of India's politics) and Mother Teressa who sacrificed whole life for the welfare of society, etc. There is no refuting(4) of the fact that the role of women in India is significant and they contribute to the success of the nation.
Women's organization in India:
Women's Organisations emerged in India as a result of the spread of education and the establishment of the notion of the new woman.
=> Pandita Ramabai, who was considered as one of the innovators of the feminist movement, with the help of Justice Ranade established the Arya Mahila Samaj in 1882.
=> The Bharat Mahila Parishad was launched only in 1905 by Indian National Congress.
These initiatives greatly influenced the social status of women. Early attempts at encouraging women to converse outside their families and local committees thus, stemmed from the broader social reform movement and efforts to upgrade the conditions of women.
During this period, the initial women's organizations formed within the historical background of the social reform movement and the nationalist movement were as follows.
=> The Women's India Association (WIA)[by Margaret Cousins in Madras].
=> National Council of Women in India (NCWI)
=> The All India Women's Conference (AIWC)
in 1917, 1925, and 1927 correspondingly.
Each of these organizations emphasized the importance of education in women's progress.
Period of Post-Independence:
The Constitution of India enlisted in 1950 which permitted equal rights to men and women. Rights such as the right to vote, right to education, right to enter into public service, and political offices brought in satisfaction among women's groups. Many women's organizations such as the National Federation of Indian Women (1954) the Samajwadi Mahila Sabha (1559) were formed to work for supporting the cause of Indian women.
The 1970s and 1980s observed the development of numerous women's groups that took up issues such as dowry deaths, bride burning, rape, and sati and focused on violence against women.
It can be believed that the Indian women's movement worked for two goals.
=> Uplift of women
=> Equal rights for both men and women
All the major political parties, the Congress, BJP, CPI, SP, etc have their women's wings. Their political commitment to these organizations is more leftist rather than liberal.
Currently, there are many women organizations of India:
=> All India Federation of Women Lawyers
=> All India Women's Conference
=> Appan Samachar
=> Association of Theologically Trained Women of India
=> Bharatiya Grameen Mahila Sangh
=> Bharatiya Mahila Bank
=> Confederation of Women Entrepreneurs
=> Durga Vahini
=> Friends of Women's World Banking
=> Krantikari Adivasi Mahila Sangathan
To summarize, women from an earlier time had a significant role in shaping civilization. Historical data indicated that though the struggle for women's rights is long and hard, currently, status of women is enhanced and society recognized their importance. It was observed that after Independence, the Indian women gained considerable importance within their country in social and political spheres. Currently, Indian women are working throughout the country at the high post and virtually in all professions at different positions.
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