Half of our population comprises women. Men and women are integral and vital for the progress of human kind. But women do not get the rights that are available to men. The equality between man and woman is a very vital requirement for the full fledged progress of humankind. The degree of disparities between men and women varies among countries.
In our country, the position of women in society is the worst; incomparable with any other. The scriptures placed women at the lowest level. As per the Varnashrama Dharma, the caste identity is applicable only for men. In hierarchical caste system, women are placed below the lowest Panchamas, the outcastes. Women have to derive the caste identity of the family wherein they were born.
‘Manusmriti’, the legal code meant for Vedic religion denied many a right for women. Such denials have been overcome by social revolutionaries. Among them Periyar fought in a unique way to liberate women from the shackles of social slavery and to empower them through education and employment.
Periyar’s resolution at the First Madras Provincial Self Respect Movement Conference in 1929 for property rights for women in the family became a reality in 1989 in Tamil Nadu. It became a country wide women’s right in 2006.
Periyar advocated and conducted Self Respect Marriages from 1928. Such marriages made marriages priestless, ritual-less; both bride and groom entering into an agreement for marital relationship, and mutually equal treatment. The mantras, which were in Sanskrit and not known to the couples, degraded women and made them subservient to men. Self Respect Marriages became legally approved in 1968.
The purpose of education is to get empowerment. Women who get educated are not deployed in suitable positions commensurate to their qualifications and capabilities. The Bill providing reservation for women in jobs at 33 per cent is pending at Parliament for decades. As per Panchayat Raj Act 1994, reservation for women in the election of local bodies has been provided. A few states have extended the level of reservation for women to 50 per cent. It is commendable on the part of these States that govern progressively.
But in the reserved constituency for women, after elections, the male members of their family, mostly husbands, act as the de facto ruling representative. This is unfair in the dispensation of social justice. The male members of the family of women representatives may be helpful, but can’t act on their behalf.
But recently in Madhya Pradesh, after the local body elections, a peculiar incident that can’t be forgiven, occurred. Instead of the elected women representatives assuming office, the male members of the respective families have taken oath of office. How was it allowed by the officials associated with such local bodies?
The hardly won rights for the equality of women on par with men have to be properly availed and exercised by women.
When progressive steps are being taken to empower women, things should not move in the reverse direction.
A strict compliance of it would be possible only if the de facto functioning or taking oath of office by male family members instead of the elected women representatives is made a criminal offence. Those who commit such an offence must be liable for punishment.
The trend in women empowerment is found in all the States, but differ only in degrees. Only the political will of the rulers can solve the hurdles in women empowerment. The noble task aimed at must not get diverted or diluted in any form.
Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty!
