Marking the 25th anniversary of India’s Republic, it is vital to assess the progress of women’s rights and equality since independence. The Constitution guarantees equality and prohibits discrimination, with special protections for women under the Directive Principles of State Policy. Despite this, significant gaps remain in achieving true gender parity.
While women have excelled in various professions, such as science, medicine, and politics—with figures like Indira Gandhi, Ashima Chatterjee, and Dr. Padmavati serving as role models—challenges persist. Only 19% of women are employed, mainly in agriculture and unskilled jobs, where exploitation is rampant. Equal pay laws are not effectively enforced, and minimum wages for women are often shockingly low.
The literacy rate for women stands at just 18.72%, reflecting economic barriers and deeply rooted societal attitudes. Women hold only 25 of 524 Lok Sabha seats and 18 of 241 in the Rajya Sabha, underscoring the need for greater political representation.
The women’s movement must intensify efforts to enforce constitutional rights and raise awareness among the majority who remain unaware of their rights. Empowerment initiatives, grassroots mobilization, and government accountability are crucial for transforming promises of equality into reality.
Read Also