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Mumbai: India is an emerging and developing country wherein people of diverse religions, cultures, castes, sects, have been living together. Hence, India is a country which perfectly demonstrates Unity in Diversity.
Being the world’s largest democracy, that celebrates its 74th independence day on 15th August, this day is celebrated with pride not only across the nation but also outside the country.
On the eve of Independence Day, a question popped up in my mind, “women in India are they really experiencing gender equality in every sector in society?”
No country or society can claim to achieve holistic development without gender justice.
Constitution guarantees gender justice under the provisions of the right to equality, and India is among few nations of the world which have ensured the right to vote for women since Independence.
The principle of gender equality is enshrined in the Indian Constitution in its Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties and Directive Principles. The Constitution not only grants equality to women, but also empowers the State to adopt measures of positive discrimination in favour of women.
Here I want to highlight some of the recommendable efforts of the Indian government that really helped to achieve gender equality in India.
1). One of the important achievements that made Muslim women free from the social evil of triple talaq (divorce). It has been recorded in the country’s history as “Muslim Women Rights Day”. It will remain as a golden moment of Indian democracy and parliamentary history. The government, had ensured gender equality and strengthened constitutional, fundamental and democratic rights of Muslim female by bringing law against the cruel social evil of triple talaq and help to achieve gender equality for Muslim women as Muslim Women Rights Day.
2). Secondly, The Maternity Benefit Act provides that a woman will be paid maternity benefit at the rate of her average daily wage in the three months preceding her maternity leave. However, the woman needs to have worked for the employer for at least 80 days in the 12 months preceding the date of her expected delivery.
Today, India is among those few countries of the world that sanctioned paid maternity leave.”
3). Gender equality in Indian military: Equality for women in the armed forces.
The recent decisions of the Honorable Supreme Court on February 17th, regarding grant of permanent commission to Women Officers (WOs) are welcome judgments, seen as a landmark step towards women empowerment and corrective change to prevent perceived gender bias against women.
4). Equal roles for women in army:
The Supreme Court also struck a blow for gender parity in the army, saying that women should be considered for command roles, and that all women officers are entitled to permanent commission.
Women will get the same opportunities as men, including ranks, promotions and pensions. Today, more women can be seen leading Army contingents on various occasions such as the Army Day and Republic Day.
5). Avani Chaturvedi, Mohana Singh and Bhawana Kanth. They are on course to make history by becoming the first-ever Indian women fighter pilots in the not too distant future. So now there is no difference a lady officers and male officers as they share a same training and amenities. A true example of emerging gender equality in our society,
6). The government also allowed women to work in underground mines and eased restrictions that prohibited them from working night shifts in surface mines, striking down a six-decade-old rule that disadvantaged female employees in a sector considered hazardous. The Mines Act, 1952, had been amended.
7). The success of programmes held by the government such as Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao ,Mahila E-haat, One Stop Centre Scheme, Swadhar Greh, STEP, Ujjwala, Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas (DWCRA) etc for the first time, enrollment of girls in the country’s educational institutions is more than boys and also the participation of women in elections is at its highest level ever and their participation in other walks is also being encouraged.
8). One of the most important steps taken by the government towards empowerment and gender equality is: Establishment of separate ministry for women and child development which is meant to improve their condition.
“I measure the progress of a community with the degree of progress women have achieved”, said Dr. Babasaheb Ambekar. As per famous quote and vision of Hon.Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar, very soon India will achieve a complete woman empowerment in almost every sector in society.
The Author can be contact by Email at – advpranita@gmail.com
