Slide 1

GENDER EQUALITY AND WOMENS RIGHTS

WOMEN

Gender equality, also known assex equality,gender egalitarianism,sexual equalityorequality of the genders, is the view that bothmen andwomenshould receiveequal treatmentand not bediscriminated against based on their gender. G E N D E R E Q U A L I T Y

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GENDER EQUALITY IS NOT A

WOMENS ISSUSE.

IT AFFECTS US ALL.

History of women empowerment

A N C I E N T C U L T U R E SThe role of women in ancient Greek society certainly seems to mirror that advice. Women had no role in the mechanics of democracy at ancient Athens.

M O D E R N M O V E M E N T S

In the subsequent decades women's rights again became an important issue in the English speaking world. By the 1960s the movement was called "feminism" or "women's liberation." Reformers wanted the same pay as men, equal rights in law, and the freedom to plan their families or not have children at all. Their efforts were met with mixed results.

W O M E N S R I G H T S

Women's rights are therightsandentitlementsclaimed for women and girls of many societies worldwide, and formed the basis to the women's rights movementin the nineteenth century andfeminist movementduring the 20th century. In some countries, these rights are institutionalized or supported by law, local custom, and behavior, whereas in others they may be ignored or suppressed.

R I G H T T O V O T E

During the 19th century some women began to ask for, demand, and then agitate and demonstrate for theright to vote- the right to participate in their government and its law making.

W O M E N I N I N D I A

The status ofwomen in Indiahas been subject to many great changes over the past few millennia . With a decline in their status from the ancient to medieval times,to the promotion ofequal rightsby many reformers, the history of women in India has been eventful. In modern India, women have held high offices including that of thePresident,Prime Minister,Speaker of the Lok Sabha , Leader of the Opposition,Union Ministers,Chief MinistersandGovernors.

A N C I E N T I N D I A

Women during the earlyVedic period enjoyedequal statuswith men in all aspects of life. Works by ancient Indian grammarians such as Patanjali and Katyayana suggest that women were educated in the earlyVedic period. Rigvedic verses suggest that women married at a mature age and were probably free to select their own husbands.Scriptures such as theRig VedaandUpanishadsmention several women sages and seers, notablyGargiand Maitreyi.

M E D I E V A L P E R I O D

Indian women's position in society further deteriorated during the medieval period , whenchild marriagesand a ban on remarriage by widows became part of social life in some communities in India. TheMuslim conquest in the Indian subcontinent brought purdahto Indian society. Among theRajputsof Rajasthan, the Jauharwas practised. In some parts of India, some of Devadasiswere sexually exploited. Polygamy was practised amongHinduKshatriya rulers for some political reasons.In many Muslim families, women were restricted to Zenan aareas of the house

H I S T O R I C A L P R A C T I C E STraditions such as Sati , Jauhar , and Devadasi among some some communities have been banned and are largely defunctin mordern india . However some instances of these practices are still found in remote parts of India.

The Purdah is still practiced by Indian women in some communities . Child marriage remain common in rural areas , although it is illegal under current Indian lawSatiJauharPurdahDevadasis

I N D E P E N D E N T I N D I A

Women in India now participate fully in areas such as education, sports, politics, media, art and culture, service sectors, science and technology, etc.Indira Gandhi, who served asPrime Minister of Indiafor an aggregate period of fifteen years, is the world's longest serving woman Prime Minister

The Constitution of India Guarantees..Indian women equality .No discrimination by the State .

Equality of opportunity.

Equal pay for equal work.

It allows special provisions to be made by the State in favour of women and children.

C H A L L E N G E S T O O U R C O N S T I T U T U I O NRapeViolence against victimsMarital rapeDomestic violenceDiagnosis planningHonor killings Dowry violenceAcid throwingForced marriageSexual harassmentForced sterilization and forced abortionHuman trafficking and forced prostitution

W O M E N 'S P R I O R I T I E S"Women always prioritise themselves, at the last. We need to be our first priority. It is important for us to nurture a sense of self worth and satisfaction, from our own achievements, than seek validation from outside. Women have a unique gift of tough love. We can be compassionate, sensitive, loving and patient and yet display great strength in trying situations. This gift is why we need more women in law enforcement."