“Status Of A Woman In Society”
By: Navita
“Woman is the builder and moulder of a nation’s destiny. Though delicate and soft as a lily, she has a heart, far stronger and bolder than that of man…” Rabindranath Tagore.
Emotionally as well as intellectually, a woman is as good as a man, if not better. Yet, society does not allow her the same status that a man enjoys. It is by nature that in a relationship, the one with a powerful personality proves to be dominant on the other.
The patriarchal society considers women the weaker gender and thus, discriminates against them. In the early vedic period, women enjoyed equal status in the society as men. They were well-educated and had the right to choose their husband. However, this status declined in around 500 BC when women began facing confinement and restrictions. Social ills, such as child marriage was practiced around the sixth century.
Eventually, women were suppressed and oppressed because they were considered inferior to males, deserving utter subjugation. It was during British Rule that some reforms were introduced in the favour of women. Although, it brought a change in the concepts of status of women, the mindset of the society is still the same.
Women should traditionally stay at home as housewives taking care of home and the family while man provides the family income. As a result even the educated women do not enjoy freedom in and outside home in matters relating to their marriage and occupation. Those employed are under paid as compared to their male counterparts. In addition to that, majority of women face sexual harassment at their work place. Reforms and legislations are needed for the betterment of women. One can only hope that gradually her status in the society will improve for good.