Introduction
Men and women both play an important role in the creation and development of society. Still, women have to face inequality in many circumstances. They have to prove their worth and have to fight for their rights even after 61 years of India being Independent. Dishonor, insecurity, and helplessness are always around our women.
Gender inequality means unequal treatment wholly due to gender. It arises from the difference in gender roles. The biasness which starts even before birth. The Government has banned pre-natal sex determination. Still even today people take this test and they abort the girl child. Even after a girl child is born, she has to go through many differences. We may hear lip service slogans being announced in the likes of ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ but in the real sense, these cries are nothing but a waste of time.
Recent Issue
The recent case of Sabarimala Temple is in the news for a long time. Menstruation is such a natural process which a woman goes through every month and in addition to a woman is not being allowed inside the temple just because she menstruates. The people who are believers of this think that the menstruating women will make the temple impure. This is an instance of utter disgrace to society. In which on one hand a goddess is worshiped for nine days and on the other hand a woman is not allowed inside the temple to pray.
Gender Equality vis-a-vis the Indian Constitution
Our Constitution has also given special protection to women. The Articles which mentioned the same are:
(a) Article 14 says that there will be equality before the law and equal protection of law shall be available for all. In other words, women and men will be equal in the eyes of law.
(b) Article 15(1) provides for the prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth. For instance, you cannot buy goods only because you belong to a certain religion.
(c) Article 15(3) states that the State can make any laws for women and children. However, it should be kept in mind that there is no violation of another person’s right.
(d) Article 39 (a) that men and women both have a right to a sufficient means of livelihood. Both have the right to earn money.
(e) Article 39(d) states equal pay for equal work for both men and women. Therefore, women should be given equal pay as to the men for the same work.
(f) Article 39(e) says that women should not be abused and they should not put into situations or circumstances which are harmful to their health only for economic necessity.
(g) Article 42 provides provision for just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief. In other words, a person has a right to a good work environment.
Conclusion
Several laws have been enacted for so-called women. Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005; Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961; The Equal Remuneration Act, 1996; Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace(Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 to name a few, etc. However, generally, it is found that these acts are not executed in their actual spirit.
The preamble of the Indian Constitution assures to all its citizens – “Justice – social, economic and political”. In every way possible, fairness needs to be granted. There are many laws but our country fails to implement them in a correct perspective. District and State Level mechanisms have to be established for the execution of laws under this issue. Above all, women need to feel secure. Fight for gender quality is not against men. It is against those age-old practices and customs that have made the women inferior. It is the need of an hour, that every society acknowledges, recognizes and accepts gender equality.
Individual identity needs to be respected irrespective of sex.