Women Regarded as Inferior in India

Throughout the world, the status of women is often thought to be secondary to men. However, women living in India are treated as second class citizens to society on a higher level. Indian women today deal with the everyday struggles of indignity. A women’s future is held in the hands of a man. They are slightly educated, poorly trained for professions, and are often taught from childhood that a man’s word is the law (Ghose 11). Indian women lose all rank and must start from the bottom in their new homes after marriage (Hunter 56). In many communities, even the precious birth of a female is considered a curse and a financial liability (Gupta 131). Women living in India are treated like second class citizens because they do not receive a good education, have limited marital rights, and lack a strong role the workplace.

Education is a strong and lifelong necessity in this world. The thought of anyone of any race, ethnicity, gender, or background being denied the access to education is absurd. Although progress has been made, the literacy rate of Indian women remains low. There is not enough being done by the government to ensure that everyone’s needs are met. Research has shown that there were sixteen million more illiterate females in 1991 than in 1981 ("Chronic Hunger and the Status"). Women receive less education than men due to fear of violence and social customs. Education is seen as power and in Indian society it is held in the hands of a man(Gupta133) . In rural India where the population is 41.1% women and 51% men, the illiteracy rate of women still remains much lower. With women illiteracy being 34% and men’s 62%, it is a clear indication that men are receiving a much more superior and prominent education (Women in Rural In...

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The endless inequalities of women living in India are unacceptable and unsatisfactory. The cycle of how women are treated has been continuous for centuries. There seems to be no end to the mistreatment of Indian women. In order for society to unite and become equal, conditions must change. It all begins with the mindset and religious reasoning that suggest that a male birth is more important than a female’s. This issue is now reflected in education. The effect of not having proper education leads to a wider aspect in the workplace. Women not only receive limited education, but lower compensation, and find it difficult to gain employment. The process of marriage and all of the obstacles that follow it exemplifies degradation of Indian women in all. Legal action must be enforced and carried out to ensure the equality of women.