The Status of Women in India in the Past, Present and Future

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INTRODUCTION
The issue of gender inequality is one which has been publicly reverberating through society for years. Gender inequality is one of the most serious & ethical issues in India today. Gender inequality in India is described as a preferential treatment arising out of prejudice based on the gender. The aim of this research is to discuss the status of women in India in the past, present and future and discuss any political movements which took place in the society in order for Women to be regarded as equal.
BODY
India has always been one of the ancient civilizations to treat women with respect. Women in ancient India were held in high esteem and always held the position of a mother or a goddess. They occupied a dignified place in the ancient Indian society. The ancient Hindu God of Laws and Justice said that “where women are honored there reside the Gods” . According to the ancient Hindu scriptures a man was considered incomplete without a woman. A man without his wife could not perform any religious rites. Women in the ancient India were treated with high respect and dignity.

After the migration period from Saudi Arabia, there was an establishment of the Muslim culture in India. The influences of the Muslim laws in India caused a slow and steady decline in the position of women in the society. These laws mainly derive from the sacred book of the Islam called Quran, which provided all the differences between man’s and women’s rights. By the end of the 6th century, the Muslim practices were hugely followed in all over the country. This change completely altered the way women were accepted in the society. Many laws were put into practice such as child marriage; dowry, slavery, domestic violence and prejudice against women’s...

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...arm . Some of the types of physical abuse that are practiced on women in India are acid throwing, domestic violence, dowry death and rape. These crimes are done on women to prove masculinity, which causes suffering to about 2 in 5 women every day.

CONCLUSION

The status of women in India has been a subject to many great changes over the past few millennia. From higher status than men in ancient times through the low points of the medieval periods, to the promotion of equal rights by many reformers, the history of women in India has been eventful. In spite of so many laws, women still continue to live under stress and strain. Women are treated sexually and physically depending on their status in the community. India still has to progress to ensure the quality of women in India. Man and Woman are like two wheels of a carriage. Then life of one without is incomplete.

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