International Women's Day (IWD) is a major day of global celebration for the economic, political and social achievements of women. It is celebrated on March 8 every year by women's groups around the world. Organisations, governments and women's groups choose different themes each year that reflect global and local gender issues.
Some years have seen global IWD themes honoured around the world, while in other years groups have preferred to 'localise' their own themes to make them more specific and relevant. The first IWD was in 1911, so just next year i.e. 2011 will see the IWD global centenary.
In India the International Women's Day is all about celebrating a woman and paying tribute to the multi-roles she plays in life. This important day provides an opportunity to celebrate the progress made to advance women's rights and to assess the challenges that remain.
IWD encourages us to consider steps to bring about equality for women and girls in all their diversity and to celebrate the collective power of women past, present and future.
One can see a lot of celebrations going on this day. It is observed as an occasion for men to express their sympathy, love and honour to women around them or in their lives… mom, sis, wife, girlfriend, colleagues, etc. by presenting flowers and small gifts. This portrays the power of women in the modern era and how vital their role is in society.
But what does the International Women's Day mean for millions of girls in India, who cannot attend or finish school because they have to graze cattle, labour in the house or the fields, or are sexually harassed and humiliated by their teachers/principals?
According to the last census held in 2001, the percentage of female literacy in the country is 54.16 per cent. If we analyse the state-wise percentage of female literacy, the minimum percentage is in Bihar (33.57) followed by Jharkhand (39.38) and Jammu and Kashmir (41.82).
The conventional view of illiteracy is that it is closely linked to poverty. While that is certainly true, there are numerous other factors responsible for the low levels of literacy, especially among females, and it is only by understanding the impact of these other factors that significant – and meaningful – increases in illiteracy can be achieved.
The significance of the International Women's Day lies in our reaffirmation to improve the condition of women, especially those at the margins of our society and empower them to take their rightful place in the society. Despite existing policies women are still socially disadvantaged section of our society. Even within the family they suffer the discrimination.
There is a growing trend of crime against women. Domestic violence is the most prevalent form of discrimination against women. About 45 per cent of Indian women are slapped, kicked or beaten by their husbands. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), the entire scenario is rather scary: one crime against women in every 3 minutes, one rape in every 29 minutes, one dowry death in every 77 minutes, one case of cruelty by husband and relatives in every 9 minutes and one suicide in every 240 minutes.
Finally, the knight in shining armour for the Indian woman has arrived in the form of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005. The highlighting point of this Act is that it not only provides protection to women who are legally married but also those who are in live-in relationship, women who are sisters, widows or mothers.
The new law also addresses sexual abuse of children, or forcing girls to marry against their wishes as well. This certainly proves that the new Act has been formed keeping the current relationship culture in India and irregularities in the previous domestic violence laws, in mind.
The new law provides an all-encompassing definition of domestic violence, including not only physical violence by the husband or sexual violence like forced intercourse, but also verbal or emotional violence such as insulting the wife or preventing her from taking up a job, and even economic violence such as not allowing the wife to use her salary.
The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has decided to strengthen the legal provisions for the protection of women. The government has proposed the Jammu and Kashmir Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2010. The main feature of the proposed Act is the appointment of protection officers in each district of the state.
These functionaries, as far as possible, will be women. They will assist the sufferers in getting justice from making a report to a magistrate on the receipt of a complaint to arranging legal aid, medical assistance and shelter homes. From the available details it seems that there is an effective scheme to ensure that women are not deprived of their assets by their tormentors.
Female infanticide is also not uncommon in Indian society where girl child was poisoned to death soon after her birth, and the practice is still prevalent in certain parts of the country. With the advancement of modern technology its practice, however, has taken a different shape. Now it is possible to detect the sex of the baby when it is still in the womb of the mother. This has made it possible to abort the female foetus, if it is unwanted.
Publicity campaigns by some ultrasound clinics in Punjab saying "Spend Rs 500 now and save Rs 5 lakh later" demonstrate this theory. Although the Central Government enacted the Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1994, and it came into force on 1 January, 1996, it has largely remained on paper. Despite this Act being around for over five years, foeticide has continued rampantly in many states.
The 2001 census figures pertaining to the sex ratio of the 0-6 year population bear adequate testimony. While the problem of population explosion is constantly posing a threat to the country's prospect of development, the declining sex ratio has become another upcoming threat. The implications of adverse sex ratio would be multi- dimensional, affecting all facets of life.
By far the most serious tragedies that occur like dowry deaths, suicide, and impoverishment of widows arise out of women's failure to use legal safeguards and redress provisions with reference to marriage, divorce, dowry and property. Their general inability to use the law is further aggravated in situations in which they have to fight the husband or father. In the role allocation within Indian culture, these are the persons upon whom women normally depend to handle court matters.
So make a difference, think globally and act locally! If this is skillfully done, the women's movement could be lifted from its current status as a feminist issue to the status of a much larger issue of human rights. Make everyday a women's day. Do your bit to ensure that the future for women and girls is bright, equal, safe and rewarding.
