Women are the epitome of strength, love sacrifice and courage. The role of women in today’s world has significantly changed and for better. women are now well flourishing in every sector whether it may be in sports, cinematography, politics or may it be academics. With the huge emerge is co-education the women are giving a tough competition to the men in every walk of life.
This era of 21st century had brought a new hope and has empowered women in every possible manner. The role of women has tremendously changed and they have been able to create an energetic as well as positive effect in the society from housewife to CEO’s, managing directors, bureaucrats etc. the transition can be seen at an accelerating rate.
Along with the advancements the women in contemporary world are facing number of issues all around the world. They have to go through gender discrimination, harassment, sexual abuse, lack of education, dowry -related harassment, gender pay gap and much more irrespective of the full-fledged laws envisaged by constitutions of many countries of the world women are forced to suffer in one way or in another.
Constitutional Rights to women envisaged in Indian constitution:
- The state shall not discriminate against any citizen of India on the ground of sex [Article 15 (1)].
- The state is empowered to make any special provision for women. In other words, this provision enables the state to make affirmative discrimination in favor of women [Article 15 (3)].
- No citizen shall be discriminated against or be ineligible for any employment or office under the state on the ground of sex [Article 16 (2)].
- The state to secure for men and women equally the right to an adequate means of livelihood [ Article 39 (a)].
- The state to secure equal pay for equal work for both Indian men and women [ Article 39 (d)].
- The state is required to ensure that the health and strength of women workers are not abused and that they are not forced by economic necessity to enter avocations unsuited to their strength [Article 39 (e)).]
- The state shall make provision for securing just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief [Article 42].
- It shall be the duty of every citizen of India to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women [ Article 51-A(e)].
- One-third of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in every panchayat at each level shall be reserved for women [ Article 243-D (3)].
- One-third of the total number of offices of chairpersons in the panchayats at each level shall be reserved for women [ Article 243-D (4)].
- One-third of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in every Municipality shall be reserved for women [Article 243-T (3)].
- The offices of chairpersons in the municipalities shall be reserved for women in such manner as the State Legislature may provide [ Article 243-T (4)].
From being restricted to remain under the shadow of father, husband or son the status of women has drastically changed. Irrespective of the backlashes, criticism the women’s from all over the world are now emerging as the warriors may it be in the field of academics, sports or any other field the women’s are having a dominating role we are having number of instances where women’s are having a lead role to play irrespective of their gender. Not only in India, but the women across the world are shining in different sectors. they are breaking age-old patriarchal doctrines and raiding what was traditionally considered male bastions. On December 7th 2021, Forbes announced the 18th annual ranking of The World’s 100 most powerful Women, the definitive audit of the foremost CEOs and iconic entrepreneurs, heads of state, pioneer philanthropists and policymakers who are solving society’s most intractable problems.
Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has made it to the Forbes 100 Most Powerful Women annual list of powerful Women for the third year in a row. Besides Nirmala Sitharaman, other Indian women featured on the Forbes list are the HCL corporation CEO Roshni Nadar Malhotra ranked 52, Biocon Executive Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw ranked 72. And Nykaa founder Falguni Nayar ranked 88th. The vice president of the most powerful country (USA) Kamala Haris is another example of women’s dominance over world politics. The Indian Administrative Service the most prestigious examination is also dominated by the female toppers, Shruti Sharma , Ankita Agarwal , Gamini Singla and Aishwarya Verma were in the dominating position in the IAS results.
The way forward: women constitute almost half of the population and no nation can develop if half of its population is left behind. Thus, it becomes necessary that the women should be considered at par with men in all fields and that they get special treatment in the form of positive discrimination as they have been discriminated against since centuries.
