Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
The Indian Constitution guarantees equality to women (Article 14, 15, 16, 27), yet deeply entrenched patriarchal norms and socio-economic disparities continue to pose significant challenges to their empowerment. While progress has been made in areas like education and political representation, women in India still grapple with issues ranging from gender-based violence and limited access to resources to discriminatory practices and underrepresentation in decision-making roles. The nature of these challenges varies significantly across time and space, reflecting the complex interplay of tradition, modernity, and regional specificities. Recent events like the #MeToo movement and debates surrounding the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013, highlight the ongoing struggle for women’s safety and justice.
Socio-Economic Challenges
Economic Disparity: Women’s participation in the workforce remains significantly lower than men’s (around 20.5% as of 2021-22, according to the Periodic Labour Force Survey). This is compounded by the gender wage gap, where women earn less than men for the same work. Informal employment dominates women’s work, offering limited social security and job stability.
Access to Education & Healthcare: While female literacy rates have improved, disparities persist, particularly in rural areas and among marginalized communities. Access to quality healthcare, especially reproductive health services, remains a challenge, leading to high maternal mortality rates (29.5 per 100,000 live births in 2018, Sample Registration System data).
Land Ownership & Property Rights: Limited access to land ownership and property rights hinders women’s economic empowerment and increases their vulnerability. Hindu Succession Act, 1956, aimed to address this, but implementation remains uneven, particularly in patriarchal societies.
Political & Legal Challenges
Underrepresentation in Politics: Despite reservations in local bodies (through the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts, 1992-93), women’s representation in state legislatures and Parliament remains low (around 15% in Lok Sabha as of 2023). The Women’s Reservation Bill, seeking 33% reservation in Parliament, is still awaiting passage.
Gender-Based Violence: India witnesses high rates of gender-based violence, including domestic violence, sexual assault, and dowry-related deaths. The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013, strengthened laws against sexual assault, but conviction rates remain low due to societal stigma, lack of evidence, and delays in the judicial process.
Legal Discrimination: Certain personal laws continue to discriminate against women in matters of marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption. The debate surrounding Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is linked to addressing these discriminatory practices.
Cultural & Social Challenges
Patriarchal Norms: Deeply ingrained patriarchal norms and societal attitudes perpetuate gender inequality. Son preference, leading to sex-selective abortions (despite being illegal), remains a concern.
Social Stigma & Discrimination: Widowhood, divorce, and single motherhood often carry social stigma, limiting women’s opportunities and access to support. Caste-based discrimination intersects with gender, exacerbating vulnerabilities for women from marginalized communities.
Digital Divide: Limited access to technology and digital literacy creates a digital divide, hindering women’s participation in the digital economy and access to information and opportunities.
Challenges Across Time and Space
| Dimension | Rural Areas | Urban Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Economic Challenges | Primarily agricultural labor with low wages; limited access to credit and markets. | Concentration in the informal sector; wage gap; challenges balancing work and family. |
| Social Challenges | Stronger patriarchal norms; limited mobility; early marriage; lower education levels. | Increased exposure to education and employment; but still face discrimination and harassment. |
| Violence Against Women | Honor killings; domestic violence; limited access to reporting mechanisms. | Cybercrime; workplace harassment; stalking; increased awareness but underreporting. |
Conclusion
Addressing the continued challenges for women in India requires a holistic and multi-pronged approach. This includes strengthening legal frameworks, promoting economic empowerment through skill development and access to resources, challenging patriarchal norms through education and awareness campaigns, and ensuring access to quality healthcare and justice. Investing in women’s empowerment is not only a matter of social justice but also crucial for achieving sustainable and inclusive development. A sustained commitment from the government, civil society, and individuals is essential to create a truly equitable society for all.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.