The Hindu : Despite gains, women still face roadblocks

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 07, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Despite gains, women still face roadblocks

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, MARCH 6 . Social mobilisation of women resulting from the combined efforts of the Government and non-government organisations has substantially improved their visibility and enhanced their bargaining power. However, social customs weighing against women have refused to yield; crime and harassment persist and their political empowerment still a far cry.

Indeed, women can be seen occupying important places in all spheres— governance, industry, judiciary, media and others. "Technology and globalisation are the key drivers of the present-day world, both mutually reinforcing and together speeding social change as never before. The Indian woman has generally been on the defensive and has appeared as a victim of these forces,'' says Poornima Advani, Chairperson of the National Commission for Women (NCW) in a message on the eve of International Women's Day which falls on March 8 every year.

"As an inheritor of a civilisation which regarded the world as a family, she will soon use these as her allies in her quest for equality and dignity. She has to mine for the best in her traditional culture and at the same time keep her windows open to influences from across the globe. Then only shall we realise our vision of the Indian woman of today -- culturally rooted and globally oriented,'' she added.

Pointing out that humankind has reached a stage where its survival depends on changing the very paradigm of existence from exploitation to harmonisation, Ms. Advani said that it entailed establishing accord first among human beings -- men and women -- inter se, and secondly, between human beings and their environment.

"The gifts of caring and sharing which come naturally to women are the very basis of this harmonious existence. There can be no doubt, therefore, that in the coming years women will play, across the globe, an increasingly important role in reducing discord, preventing conflict, exorcising terror and conserving the gifts of nature for the entire global family,'' she said.

In this background, Ms. Advani argued that the Indian woman was also standing on the threshold of a new era of challenge and opportunity. "The Republic began its journey with a formal structure of non-discrimination through statutory provisions for the right to equality. It proceeded to provide content to this right by strengthening women's entitlements to health, education and livelihood. Substantial gains have been registered in this respect in recent years. But there have also been roadblocks,'' she said, hoping that these would be removed in days and years to come.

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