India is one of the most religiously and ethnically diverse nations in the world, with some of the most deeply religious societies and cultures.
In Indian society, women play various roles in their lifetime ranging from a mother to that of a breadwinner but are almost always subordinated to male authority. No nation, society, and family can flourish and be happy if fifty per cent of its population .i.e. women and girls, are not respected, free, and happy.
- India has the most adverse sex-ratio for women in the world. Life expectancy for women is lower than that of men, Also women’s health, nutritional and educational levels arc significantly lower than that of men
- Women are concentrated in low skilled and low paid jobs, they get lower wages and lower-income than men. They hardly own and/or control property and means of production. The participation of women in political and social decision-making is abysmally low.
Provisions For Women In The Indian Constitution
- Article 14 – Men and women to have equal rights and opportunities in the political, economic and social spheres.
- Article 15(1) – Prohibits discrimination against any citizen on the grounds of religion, race, caste, sex etc.
- Article 15(3)- Special provision enabling the State to make affirmative discriminations in favour of women.
- Article 16- Equality of opportunities in a matter of public appointments for all citizens.
- Article 23- Bans trafficking in human and forced labour.
- Article 39(a)– The State shall direct its policy towards securing all citizens men and women, equally, the right to means of livelihood.
- Article 39(d)- Equal pay for equal work for both men and women.
- Article 42– The State to make provision for ensuring just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief.
- Article 51 (A)(e)- To renounce the practices derogatory to the dignity of women
Findings Of The SDG Gender Index
- The global average score of the 129 countries (with 95% of the world’s girls and women) is 65.7 out of 100 (“poor” in the index).
- Nearly 1.4 billion girls and women are living in countries that get a “very poor” grade.
- Altogether, 2.8 billion girls and women live in countries that get either a “very poor” (59 and below) or “poor” score (60-69).
- Just 8% of the world’s population of girls and women live in countries that received a “good” gender equality score (80-89).
- Notably, no country achieved an “excellent” overall score of 90 or above in gender equality.
We recognize that women can also be patriarchal, and that some men can be and are our partners in fighting patriarchy and other hierarchical systems. Our struggle is for certain principles and for a society where all men and women have equal opportunities to live, to grow, to participate.
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