Status of Women in

Ancient India
 ● Women play a key role in strengthening the dynamism
of human civilization.
● Women all over the world are affected by social injustice

Originally in ancient India women were looked at as equals. They were free to
choose their own husbands at a mature age and maintained equal status in most
areas of life.

Shortly after this period of equality the number of equalities that existed
between men and women began to diminish
C
 Women and
Education

● Women education in India plays a key

role in the social and economic
development of the country.
● Women have a much lower literacy
rate than men. Far fewer girls are
enrolled in the colleges and many of
them drop out.
● Although in the Vedic period women had
access to education in India, they had
gradually lost this right. However, in the
British period there was revival of interest
in women’s education in India. During this
period, various socio religious movements
led by eminent persons like Raja Ram
Mohan Roy, Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar
emphasized on women’s education in India.
 Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, Periyar and Baba Saheb Ambedkar were leaders of the lower
castes in India who took various initiatives to make education available to the women of
India.

Savitribai Phule became the first female teacher in India (1848) and opened a school for girls with her husband,
Jyotirao Phule.
Women’s education got a fillip after the country got independence in 1947 and the
government has taken various measures to provide education to all Indian women.

It is very important to understand that providing education for women

served as a challenge also because of the existence of various issues such as
Child marriage, Sati, etc
Patriarchy is like the elephant in the room
that we don't talk about, but how could it not
affect the planet radically when it's the
superstructure of human society.

- Ani DiFranco
Women and Work

India has made significant economic

progress in recent decades

The country’s female labour force

India's low labor participation rate stands at just 27
force participation percent, compared to 96 percent for
rate for women is due men
in part to restrictive
cultural norms
regarding women's
work, the gender
wage gap, etc
Factors because of which participation amongst women is low are : -

1) The pervasiveness of entrenched patriarchal social norms that hinder women’s

agency, mobility and freedom to work

2) Rising household incomes that create a disincentive for labour market participation
among women mainly informed by the same norms

3) The disproportionate burden of unpaid work and unpaid care work on women

4) The lack of quality jobs for women reinforced by gendered occupational segregation

5) A significant gender wage gap

Women’s access to decent paid work is an undisputed ethical and economic imperative
as well as a primary human right and aspiration
Women in decision making process Women are under-
represented in
decision-making
positions worldwide

According to the
World Economic
Forum in 2016, only
59% of the gender
gap in economic
opportunities has
been closed around
the world
In developing countries like India, gender equality and development are
intertwined: more gender equality creates the conditions to boost economic
development and contributes to economic growth, while more development
leads to more gender equality.

The principle of gender equality is enshrined in the Indian Constitution in

its Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties and Directive
Principles
Women
The Constitution not only grants equality to women, but also empowers
the State to adopt measures of positive discrimination in favour of women.
Deserve

The principle of gender equality is enshrined in the Indian Constitution in

Justice
its Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties and Directive
Principles

The Constitution not only grants equality to women, but also empowers
the State to adopt measures of positive discrimination in favour of women.
 While increasing representation of
women in the public spheres is
important and can potentially be
attained through some form of
affirmative action

An attitudinal shift is essential for

women to be considered as equal
within their homes and in broader
society.

Educating Indian children from an early age about the importance of gender
equality could be a meaningful start in that direction.
Hence,

➢ Empowering women is essential to the health and social

development of families, communities and countries.

➢ When women are living safe, fulfilled and productive lives, they
can reach their full potential.

➢ Contributing their skills to the workforce and can raise happier

and healthier families
Equality above
everything