Page 27 - July 2015 Issue
P. 27
the permitted child marriage and polygamy. In the Dharma-shastra women are unambiguously equated with the
sudras. Even the Gita places women, vaisyas and sudras in the same category and describes them as being of
sinful birth. Moreover women lead a life in abject misery. The women were denied the right of equal opportu-
nity in the ield of education as well as in employment. The inhuman system of Sati was prevalent as a compul-
sory custom. Widows were not only precluded from remarrying, but they were also not allowed to live after the
death of their husband. There also existed the system of Purda, were the women had to cover her face and body
with a robe when she was to be seen in public. These were not only deprivation of the rights of women but were
also social evils which plagued the ancient Indian society. The other evils which affected the women in ancient
India were child marriage, female infanticide, Dowry system etc.
During the British rule, many new rules were being legislated to abolish certain social evils which have direct
impact on the rights of the women. Many social reformers during this period including Raja Ram Mohan Roy
worked hard for the abolition of the system of sati and reinstated in its place the right of widows to remarry.
More emphasis was given to provide opportunities for improving the plight of women like improving opportu-
nities for female education etc.
After Independence, most of the social evils like Sati system, child marriage, female infanticide etc. which af-
fected the rights of women adversely were abolished. More laws were enacted to provide women equal status
with man in the ield of education and employment opportunities, laws were also enacted for preventing dis-
crimination against women on the basis of gender. Constitution of India also provides for provisions in order
to protect the rights of women. Reservations were made in the public sector to increase the ratio of women
population and to bring it in par with the male population. The Indian penal code has also adopted stringent
measures to deal with crimes against women. Penal punishments were incorporated for dealing with the crimes
of rape, marital violence against women, prostitution etc. The Dowry Prohibition act also provides for punish-
ment in giving and accepting of Dowry. Recently a bill was enacted to prevent harassment of
women in their work places.
International conventions for the protection and promotion of women rights
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
(CEDAW), adopted in 1979 by the UN General Assembly, is often described as an international bill of rights for
women. Consisting of a preamble and 30 articles, it deines what constitutes discrimination against women and
sets up an agenda for national action to end such discrimination.The Convention deines discrimination against
women as “...any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose
of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status,
on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic,
social, cultural, civil or any other ield.”
By accepting the Convention, States commit themselves to undertake a series of measures to end discrimination
against women in all forms, including: To incorporate the principle of equality of men and women in their legal
system, abolish all discriminatory laws and adopt appropriate ones prohibiting discrimination against
women; Establish tribunals and other public institutions to ensure the effective protection of women against
discrimination; and to ensure elimination of all acts of discrimination against women by persons, organizations
or enterprises.
The Convention provides the basis for realizing equality between women and men through ensuring women’s
equal access to, and equal opportunities in, political and public life -- including the right to vote and to stand for
election -- as well as education, health and employment. States parties agree to take all appropriate measures,
including legislation and temporary special measures, so that women can enjoy all their human rights and
27
sudras. Even the Gita places women, vaisyas and sudras in the same category and describes them as being of
sinful birth. Moreover women lead a life in abject misery. The women were denied the right of equal opportu-
nity in the ield of education as well as in employment. The inhuman system of Sati was prevalent as a compul-
sory custom. Widows were not only precluded from remarrying, but they were also not allowed to live after the
death of their husband. There also existed the system of Purda, were the women had to cover her face and body
with a robe when she was to be seen in public. These were not only deprivation of the rights of women but were
also social evils which plagued the ancient Indian society. The other evils which affected the women in ancient
India were child marriage, female infanticide, Dowry system etc.
During the British rule, many new rules were being legislated to abolish certain social evils which have direct
impact on the rights of the women. Many social reformers during this period including Raja Ram Mohan Roy
worked hard for the abolition of the system of sati and reinstated in its place the right of widows to remarry.
More emphasis was given to provide opportunities for improving the plight of women like improving opportu-
nities for female education etc.
After Independence, most of the social evils like Sati system, child marriage, female infanticide etc. which af-
fected the rights of women adversely were abolished. More laws were enacted to provide women equal status
with man in the ield of education and employment opportunities, laws were also enacted for preventing dis-
crimination against women on the basis of gender. Constitution of India also provides for provisions in order
to protect the rights of women. Reservations were made in the public sector to increase the ratio of women
population and to bring it in par with the male population. The Indian penal code has also adopted stringent
measures to deal with crimes against women. Penal punishments were incorporated for dealing with the crimes
of rape, marital violence against women, prostitution etc. The Dowry Prohibition act also provides for punish-
ment in giving and accepting of Dowry. Recently a bill was enacted to prevent harassment of
women in their work places.
International conventions for the protection and promotion of women rights
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
(CEDAW), adopted in 1979 by the UN General Assembly, is often described as an international bill of rights for
women. Consisting of a preamble and 30 articles, it deines what constitutes discrimination against women and
sets up an agenda for national action to end such discrimination.The Convention deines discrimination against
women as “...any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose
of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status,
on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic,
social, cultural, civil or any other ield.”
By accepting the Convention, States commit themselves to undertake a series of measures to end discrimination
against women in all forms, including: To incorporate the principle of equality of men and women in their legal
system, abolish all discriminatory laws and adopt appropriate ones prohibiting discrimination against
women; Establish tribunals and other public institutions to ensure the effective protection of women against
discrimination; and to ensure elimination of all acts of discrimination against women by persons, organizations
or enterprises.
The Convention provides the basis for realizing equality between women and men through ensuring women’s
equal access to, and equal opportunities in, political and public life -- including the right to vote and to stand for
election -- as well as education, health and employment. States parties agree to take all appropriate measures,
including legislation and temporary special measures, so that women can enjoy all their human rights and
27
