STATUS OF INDIAN WOMEN IN SOCIETY AND DOMESTIC LEVEL

STATUS OF INDIAN WOMEN IN SOCIETY AND IN DOMESTIC LEVEL.

                                                                                                                            Anisha Dutta

 

On socio-economic point of view 35% women are working in suburbs and rural areas of India. But

this rate decreases to 25% in the city. This percentage indicates outer world is using women power

much less. Most women power is either absorbed within family confined in domestic chores or left

unused.

               Among job-seeking candidates registering in Employment Exchange, 35% are Women and

65% are Men. But in the long run only 12% women join the job. This fall of percentage owes to

Gender Inequity in socio-economic policy of India.

          Outsmarting women is prominent in every status whether in family or in health issue or in

  education or even in human rights. By birth women are blessed with longevity by Nature, yet in

India average longevity of Men is 65 years and for Women 60 years. 10% Women die as a result of

compulsive abortion mostly illegal. 20% die on childbirth.

    Indian social outlook proclaims enjoyment and entertainment are mostly reserved for Men and

  Women are entitled to serve and sacrifice. On basis of economic freedom very few women in any

 family lead independent peaceful lives. I know lots of working women having no freedom to spend

her own earnings according to her own needs and wishes.

           According to report of International Labour Organization Women exert much more labour

  than Men on daily basis. After finishing daily scheduled working hours, Men get scope to enjoy or

 relax. On contrary Women are bound to perform domestic duties and care of children after job

hours. Very few Indian husbands believe in sharing household chores with wives rather all expect

or demand extra service from their wives for themselves.

           In case of Women candidates higher education and amount of salary is inversely proportional.

On average a Master- Degree holder Male candidate can draw Rs. 5 Lakhs per annum, but a Female

candidate on same qualification hardly earns Rs. 3 Lakhs annually. Two prime causes are responsible.

Firstly, Gender Inequity mostly in Corporate World, Administrative services. Glass Ceiling often

restricts promotion of an overqualified Woman.

 Secondly highly qualified Women are also often compelled to quit partly or to take repeated leaves

 on family demand (owing to trivial issues mostly originating from male chauvinism) causing

 recurring gaps in job- profile. I know a highly qualified woman facing conflict with husband, as her

 husband demands wife to quit her job to entertain his friends (gossiping and chatting) by serving

tea and snacks time to time.

    Average educated Indian Women get job opportunity in jewelry shop, Tailoring, Medical shop,

Factory manufacturing toys, medical equipment, electronic product, leather stuff etc. TV serials,

Advertising agencies are now offering lots of jobs for Women. This is surely a plus point but

simultaneously exploitation of innocent girls is also running parallel.

     In uneducated lower class, women are entitled to daily labor in mines, construction works, or

engaged in farming or cultivating. In all these fields, discrimination in salary is over all accepted.

A male worker gets double or one-half time amount of salary compared to a female labour.

      Whether working or a home maker, 80% women are entitled to do all household chores, male

   members keep themselves aloof. Though the family is mostly run by women, only 25% Indian

 Women are capable to take decision on family matters., even regarding their own health issue.

Most home makers are only confined in household chores just like domestic helps. Buying of

 household gadgets, furniture etc. are monitored by husband, wife hardly puts a voice.

     Only 8% of women can impose their decision in family matter. Even to visit friends or relatives

 Women are dependable on instruction of husbands. Major portion of Indian Women is confined in

closed contour of mundane household activities.

 The budding teenage girls are always neglected either due to unawareness or ignorance of guardian

or under unnecessary limitation of conservative middle class outlook. In modern age only 45% Indian

teenager girls can put their demands, needs or wishes to guardians. Even if a few approaches to put

any demand, those are mostly ignored. But these delicate teenagers should get maximum facility

 to enjoy life. Too many restrictions prevent the girl child to share her feelings, needs and problems

with the guardian. Invariably many fall victims and get exploited owing to innocence, ignorance and

non-exposure to outer world.

       80% of teenager girls get no pocket money and are deprived of any entertainment. Now-a-days

Indian girls are from suburbs, rural areas and cities are excelling in School and High school Board

Exams securing top ranks. But 50% of them get opportunity to continue higher study.

    80% Women are dominated by husbands in every step which is the normal acceptance of Indian

Society.  Even if a single independent woman in the most modern city Mumbai ventures to stay at a

flat alone, she is to produce her character certificate at police station.

                40% of Indian Women are victims of domestic violence.  On preliminary procedure to take

      step against FIR regarding abuses of women or domestic violence, first attempt of Male

     Chauvinism in India initiates to outsmart the complaint of woman through interrogation, medical

   examinations etc.  humiliating the victim and to prove the accused not guilty.

           35% Women face verbal abuse failing to prepare food according to the choice or demand of

    her husband. In rural areas, it is not restricted only in verbal abuse but reaches up to physical

    assault.

     20% senior women go on missing. 20% young girls are abducted of which 2% can be rescued. On

    Women Trafficking West Bengal is on top position. At present in India, under fifteen years number

    of boys exceed the number of girls almost by two crores owing to killing of female foetus.

         This indicates the stupid outlook of desire of a male child.  In Middle class and High society

   this outlook has started to change. Discrimination in rearing up son and daughter is decreasing. But

in rural areas, girls are not encouraged to continue study after finishing school. 50% girls are getting

married below eighteen. Neither they are getting scope to be independent nor they are physically

or mentally prepared to conceive or bear child.

    Any way advancement and progress of women empowerment is going on. Let’s hope for the best.