Aroosa Mattoo
The Supreme power has created the beautiful world where infinite unrelated creations co-exist. These creations range from simple microscopic to complex macroscopic entities which are thought to be evolved in a progressive manner. Every creation, whether living or non-living has been fabricated in such a way that apart from its own relevance, it has some sort of influence on the surrounding creations as well. This influence leads to various interactions among the creations, which are crucial for the stability and continuity of their being on the earth. At the top of this progressive genesis, human beings have been placed and are regarded as the most complex, highly evolved and efficient living beings on the planet earth. This efficiency pertains to their complex physical, biological, social, spiritual, and intellectual properties.
Human being have been created in pairs as men and women for the continuity of their race on the earth. Women comprises the inevitable and equally essential part of the society. A woman is like a bloom when she is daughter, half of the faith of her husband when she is wife, and the whole paradise is considered to be under her feet when she is mother.
Although the general principles are same and equal for both the men and women, yet they have been appraised with different physical and psychological characteristics. For example, women are physically and emotionally weaker than men. It’s natural for a women to be emotionally weak as she faces numerous changes in her body and mind at various stages of her life. This emotional weakness is infact the biggest strength of the women to make the interactions beautiful and more stable, the principle that nature wants. Woman are capable of bearing all the responsibilities with patience and affection. The differences between men and women are natural and intentionally inculcated by the creator based on their individual functionality and relevance.
Unfortunately, human beings have failed to understand this difference. They have correlated this aspect with the weakness of women in every sphere, the biggest misunderstanding. This misconception has given birth to numerous ill practices in the human society, like, harassment, defamation, domestic violence, deprivation of women rights, etc.
Religiously as well as connotationally, women have been honored equally. In Hinduism, women are worshiped in the form of many deities as a sign of huge respect. In Islam, women have been considered equal in status to that of men. To showcase their status and guide about their rights, a complete chapter (Surah-An-Nissa; Nissa means “women”) in Quran has been dedicated to them.
Indian constitution also guarantees various fundamental rights to women, such as, equality before law in Article 14, no discrimination by the state in Article 15(1), and equal opportunities in matters of public employment in Article 16. Article 15(3) also gives power to the state for making special provisions for the welfare of women and children. Besides, directive principles of state policy(DPSP) mentioned in the part IV of the constitution are the important principles that regulates and guides legislature while making laws and policies for the people. They emphasizes on providing equal opportunities to women and equal pay for equal work in Article 39(d), security of just and human conditions, and maternity relief in Article 42, and deny the practices that are derogatory to women under article 51(A) (e). Apart from this, numerous laws and commissions have been framed to give the equal rights to all the citizens irrespective of their religion, race, cast and gender. Various policies and yojna’s have been included to make the genders equal in work, payment, dignity, efficiency and so on.
Despite all the religious and constitutional liberties and equal status, women have been suffering throughout. The era we are living in is highly advanced in terms of infrastructure and technology, however, our mentality towards this gender has not changed much. Women are being raped, harassed for dowry, harassed at workplaces and treated as inferior to that of men. Although various laws have been framed to tackle these evil practices, like, section 375 of IPC against rape; the protection of women from domestic violence Act, 2005; the Dowry prohibition Act 1961 and 498A of Indian Panel Code against other types of violence, yet the concerned crimes are arising day by day.
According to the annual report of “National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), 2019, 32033 rape cases were registered in India, with an average of 88 cases per day. And unfortunately, rapes of minors are increasing abruptly. Similarly other figures concerning different women issues are also heart wrecking. In short, we are turning against the nature and creations of the creator. By downgrading one of the important and influential creations, we are destabilizing the earth ecosystem.
History witnesses that the women have competed and excelled in all the spheres. For example, Indira Gandhi, the first Prime Minister (Women) of India; Kiran Bedi, the first IPS officer (Women) of India to Kalpana Chawla, Saina Nehwal, Sania Mirza, Arndati Roy, Pratibha Patil, Sushwa Swaraj and Sumrita Mahajan, all have excelled in their respective fields. In view of the rising crimes against women and considering their efficiency in various fields, it is mandatory to remove these gender barriers for protecting and empowering the women.
Education
Education is the best way to solve this problem. It is mandatory to frame the policies in relation to women welfare. Apart from emphasizing on women education, courses related to women dignity and rights should be added at the primary and secondary level of education system to inculcate the respect and affection into the minds of children from the tender age. Seminars and webinars should be organized to discuss the women-related issues and derive solutions thereafter.
Working rights
50% of the global as well as Indian population comprises of women. Most of the women as house wives are the unpaid workers. Besides, the ones working outside are also not being paid by the rule “Equal pay for equal work”. It has been currently estimated that Indian GDP can rise up to 3% if women will be given the proper working rights.
Religious literature
Every individual is emotionally linked to one or the other religion. Religion teaches about the basic, moral and social rights of a living being. Connecting to the real religious values can help transform the society.
Women in decision making
We need the women at the table to frame various policies. While women are in various fields, still the ratio in decision-making is quite less. Parliament has given 33% reservations to women for contesting parliamentary elections. This figure should be hiked to 50%. Only 14% of women are in politics and hence policy making.
Law implementation
Proper implementation of laws is mandatory to exercise the already framed laws. However, new and strong laws need to be enacted in favor of women which must hike the punishment to the concerned criminals. Land rights should be given to women as that of men.
Sensitivity and understanding
Every individual must understand the importance and rights of the fellow individuals. Till the time the society do not show sensitivity, these issues cannot be solved by mere framing and implementation of laws. Society need to understand that we all are the creations of the one Creator and have to return to Him one day. Therefore, our mentality should be “Live and Let others live with Dignity and Rights”.
Conclusively, to make earth a better place to live in, move beyond the gender stereotypical binaries. To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’S) 1,3,5,8 and 10 framed by United Nations to be accomplished by 2030, it is essential to move beyond the gender gaps and remove ill practices against the women, the half of the global population. |
