Status of Women in India

There has been a lot of improvement in the status of women in India after the independence. Gradually women started enjoying equality with men in the society. Women have all the rights and privileges in every areas as possessed by the men. The Constitution of India has given equal rights, privileges and freedom that are enjoyed by the men for years. Even after various exploitation against women, they are now feeling much emancipated and free. Almost half area and population in India is covered by the women so the development of the country depends upon the status of both sex equally. We can imagine that time when 50% of the population was not given equal opportunities and rights and even restricted to perform many activities in the society. Now-a-days, women are getting top positions in various fields of life such as some have been great political leaders, social reformers, entrepreneurs, business personalities, administrators, etc.

Improvement in the status of women changes the social and economic status of the country. Status of women in the Indian society is much better than the women in other developing countries. However, it is not enough to say that status of women have been completely improved in India. In such a competitive world, Indian women are being well conscious about their rights and privileges in various fields. They are being more conscious about their professional career (socially, politically, economically and educationally) by following their all the responsibilities towards family.

Women are actively participating in the democratic process and elections which is quite more impressive in enhancing their status. Women participation in any area of work is increasing day by day than men such as number of women voters is increasing than men voters on the days of polling. Some of the great Indian women leaders, social reformers, social workers, administrators, and literary personalities who have changed the women status a lot are Indira Gandhi, Vijay Lakshmi Pandit, Annie Besant, MahadeviVerma, Sachet Kripalani, P.T. Usha, Amrita Pritam, Padmaja Naidu, Kalpana Chawla, Raj KumariAmrit Kaur, Mother Teresa, Subhadra Kumari Chauhan, etc. Women have been started participating as daughters, sisters, wives, mothers, grandmothers, etc in various fields like social, economical, political, educational, scientific and other nation- building activities. They are doing hard work in performing professional as well as household responsibilities very actively. Even after huge level improvement in the women status in India, they are still exploited and abused in many ways like rape, sex discrimination, etc.

Regarding women safety and reduce crime against women, government of India has passed another Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Bill, 2015 replacing the earlier Indian juvenile delinquency law of 2000. This act is passed especially after the Nirbhaya case when a accused juvenile was released. According to this act, the juvenile age has been 16 years from 18 years in cases of heinous offenses.