Page 26 - July 2015 Issue
P. 26
Media Law and the Rights of Women in India
By Mathew Thomas
Photo Courtesy of en.radiovaticana.va
Women's rights, as a term, typically refers to the freedoms inherently possessed by women and girls of all ages,
which may be institutionalized, ignored or illegitimately suppressed by law, custom, and behavior in a particular
society. These liberties are grouped together and differentiated from broader notions of human rights because
they often differ from the freedoms inherently possessed by or recognized for men and boys; because activism
surrounding this issue claims an inherent historical and traditional bias against the exercise of rights by women.
Issues commonly associated with notions of women's rights include, though are not limited to, the right: to
bodily integrity and autonomy; to vote (universal suffrage); to hold public ofice; to work; to fair wages or equal
pay; to own property; to education; to serve in the military; to enter into legal contracts; and to have marital,
parental and religious rights. Today, women in most nations can vote, own property, work in many different
professions, and hold public ofice. These are some of the rights of the modern woman. But women have not
always been allowed to do these things, similar to the experiences of the majority of men throughout history.
Women and their supporters have waged and in some places continue to wage long campaigns to win the same
rights as modern men and be viewed as equals in society.
Position of women in ancient India
The position of women since long has been pitiable in all aspects of life and her subjection by males has been
throughout a matter of history. She could not feel independent, and act as so, barring a few exceptions.
The women in Vedic period enjoyed equal status with men and independence in action. Not only they had
the place of honor, but were entitled to participate freely in social activities. They were allowed to pursue the
academic attainments and shared the family life with full vigor. They were free to select their conjugal partner
and exercised free will in entering into the matrimonial bondage. The privileges that women enjoyed in the
Vedic period were short lived and the position of women began to decline from the latter Vedic period onwards.
Post Vedic period saw the emergence of Manusmrithi. The injunctions of Manu merged the wife’s individuality
with that of her husband and recommended strict seclusions for women and rigorous discipline for widows.
While glorifying motherhood and allowing women all freedom in the management of the household,
26
By Mathew Thomas
Photo Courtesy of en.radiovaticana.va
Women's rights, as a term, typically refers to the freedoms inherently possessed by women and girls of all ages,
which may be institutionalized, ignored or illegitimately suppressed by law, custom, and behavior in a particular
society. These liberties are grouped together and differentiated from broader notions of human rights because
they often differ from the freedoms inherently possessed by or recognized for men and boys; because activism
surrounding this issue claims an inherent historical and traditional bias against the exercise of rights by women.
Issues commonly associated with notions of women's rights include, though are not limited to, the right: to
bodily integrity and autonomy; to vote (universal suffrage); to hold public ofice; to work; to fair wages or equal
pay; to own property; to education; to serve in the military; to enter into legal contracts; and to have marital,
parental and religious rights. Today, women in most nations can vote, own property, work in many different
professions, and hold public ofice. These are some of the rights of the modern woman. But women have not
always been allowed to do these things, similar to the experiences of the majority of men throughout history.
Women and their supporters have waged and in some places continue to wage long campaigns to win the same
rights as modern men and be viewed as equals in society.
Position of women in ancient India
The position of women since long has been pitiable in all aspects of life and her subjection by males has been
throughout a matter of history. She could not feel independent, and act as so, barring a few exceptions.
The women in Vedic period enjoyed equal status with men and independence in action. Not only they had
the place of honor, but were entitled to participate freely in social activities. They were allowed to pursue the
academic attainments and shared the family life with full vigor. They were free to select their conjugal partner
and exercised free will in entering into the matrimonial bondage. The privileges that women enjoyed in the
Vedic period were short lived and the position of women began to decline from the latter Vedic period onwards.
Post Vedic period saw the emergence of Manusmrithi. The injunctions of Manu merged the wife’s individuality
with that of her husband and recommended strict seclusions for women and rigorous discipline for widows.
While glorifying motherhood and allowing women all freedom in the management of the household,
26
