By Hina Rubab Kazmi

Many decades back, human rights had been conceptualized in a way that didn’t cover women’s lives and the violence, crime, discrimination and coercion they experienced. Previously, women followed certain standards and customs that put numerous limitations upon them, primarily in the male dominated society. In the past decades women were not well educated so they were only limited to take care of home and families and not more than that in any aspect.

The scenario of Indian women is slowly changing in recent years, due to which we can see participation and rise of women in all important fields of life. This is in short, can be termed as women empowerment. There is a change in perception of Indian society towards women because of women’s achievements in all spheres of life. Today’s men are also more supportive towards their women as now Indian women is comparatively more empowered than men in the Indian society. Women of today not just handle their obligations and tasks at home rather they be able to manage their career outside home. Now Indian women is self-determining. On other hand women in rural area still facing lots of problem, however, the change that the urban Indian women is experiencing is moving with a slower pace. Today seventy-five per cent of Indian women live in rural areas where they lack even civic facilities. Still women's literacy in rural areas is about 25%, while in urban regions it is around 54%. Hence, there is transformations in the lives of rural and urban women as rural women are also looking for opportunities to move to urban centers.

In the past, the focus of human rights had overlooked women’s lives due to which they had to face violence, crime, discrimination and coercion. In the past, Indian women were compelled to follow certain norms and traditions that put many restrictions upon them, primarily due to male dominated society. Women empowerment means the freedom of women from the immoral and unethical grips within Indian political, social, economic, caste and gender-based discrimination systems. It means giving women them opportunity to settle their life according to their own choice and decisions. Women’s empowerment does not mean glorifying women rather it means replacing patriarchy with an equality.

To evaluate and understand the existing Indian women status in the society, their rights and privileges under the law and how far they are actually practicing in the society certain data has been highlighted which empowered Indian women. Indian women rights as per workforce law is concerned, first of all, The Equal Remuneration Act (1976), the purpose of this act is to ensure that employers do not discriminate on the basis of sex, in matters of wage-fixing, transfers, training and promotion. Secondly, The Maternity Benefit Act (1961), the act which protects women employment during her maternity period also women have advantage of full paid absence from work in order to take care of her child. Thirdly, The Medical Termination of the Pregnancy Act (1971), it was applied by April 1972. Rules and regulations implementation was reviewed again in 1975 to eradicate tedious measures for the endorsement of the spot and to make benefits all the more promptly accessible. Fourthly, the Sexual Harassment of Women at Work Place Act (2013). Some types of sexual harassment may also be offences under criminal law and should be reported to the police.

Moreover, personal law includes, The Dowry Prohibition Act (1961), Later on dowry deaths happening after the law passed because women themselves ask for dowry as they want to avoid the questionable circumstances. Although mostly such kind of abuse occurs in urban areas, dowry deaths are reported to be increasing in rural areas as well. Then, The Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act (1987), Sati is an ancient Hindu practice where the widow burned herself during the funeral of her husband. Though, the practice is still trend in limited areas of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (2006) has also been included in personal law for the girl who is under 18 years of age or the boy is younger than 21 years. In recent times, the Indian government forced unusual marriage limitations while having such situation in the society. Although reports in 1993 reflected that married daughters infrequently acquire a portion of their parent’s property but the Hindu Succession Act (Amendment) (2005), allowed daughters of the deceased equal rights with sons, and exposing them to similar liabilities and in-capacities. In addition, Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act (1956) protect Indian child or minors from involvement in prostitution. 

To conclude, in the past Indian women were experiencing discrimination and violence while they were neglected from all those opportunities which women of civilized nations were availing. They were restricted to mere obligations and duties in their homes only. But with the passage of time, the Indian women has been gradually empowered and they are not only handling their traditional responsibilities in their homes but also they have become career oriented. No doubt, the concept of women empowerment should not mere focus on giving women strength and skills to rise above their traditional roles but should also involve attempt to educate men regarding women issues inculcating developing a sense of respect and equal treatment of the women. Today, Indian women are legally very strong but there are many areas where women rights are not implemented due to their rigid norms and values. There is need to further empower Indian women without compromising the Eastern traditions and culture.