Women the better half?

Gender empowerment, gender equality are the terms which are most often read these days. By constitutional provisions discrimination by caste,creed, place of birth or SEX is not legal and these are some of the fundamental rights which can be enforced by knocking the doors the Supreme Court, what has socially the gender equality is enforced is a million dollar question. I would second the opinion that India still has a long way to go to achieve this in letter and spirit.

The recently spurted controversy of an woman ranked officer in the Army committing suicide being succumbed to occupation stress , leading to a statement high order officer Mr. Pattabhiram saying women are not wanted in Army talks stories of how women's involvement in the work life is not welcomed.

The sex ratio of the Indian population is at a pathetic state, worse being in states like Haryana, Punjab, Bihar etc where the female infanticide is more prevalent! The inheritance of property and issues like dowry haunt the couples to avoid female child and go for a male one. The female child in rural north India is still considered a curse, eventhough the situtation in southern India has improved far better than what it was few years back.

Women's role in the managerial decisions in India is negligible, we can count the number of female bureaucrats, M.P's, Ministers, Chairmans, Presidents in the private sector or for that matter in any area you take. This talks fortunes of how much influence does female have in the society. Majority of the women are even today restricted to mundane jobs and activities and discriminated. They are not openly given credits and appreciation for the work they do, nor they are promoted on time even if they deserve. It happens more in the public sector.

The recent move by UPA to make the Right to Property for women, is probably an eye opener for the junta, as this makes sure at least they don't succumb financially to the other half in their later years, majority of the women being unemployed today. The specific ratio maintained in the National Rural Employment guarantee Act (NREGA), for rural women is also welcomed.
The sponsorship of CBSE for single girl child also boosts the ego of the female child and allows them to study further without any financial hindrances coming in their way. Even the definition of rape is being broadened by the government with the help of National Commission of Women (NCW) which is becoming another move to empower them with the crime ridden environment.

As more such incentives come in the way, I feel more women would opt for better education and would be more independent and contribute to the society in all aspects rather than the just mundane household chores that they carry out today. The journey has begun as it can be seen from Mr. Pattabhiram retracting his statement after some pressure from the women's who's who. It is just a matter of time for us to see the Gender Equality happen both in true letter and spirit!