Women and Human Rights

Contents: Preface. 1. Violence against women. 2. Status of women. 3. Crime against women. 4. Rape: a horrendous crime. 5. Women prisoners. 6. Role of divorce. 7. Modern women. 8. Dowry deaths--a national shame. 9. The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961. 10. Convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women. 11. Declaration on the elimination of discrimination against women. 12. Convention on the nationality of married women. 13. Convention on the political rights of women. 14. Declaration on the protection of women and children in emergency and armed conflict. Index. 

"Women were considered pivots not only of domestic life but of the entire society is clearly evident in the epics. A maid was not only an object of tender affection and care at home but her education also was taken care of and she had important duties as well to perform. A woman was never sacrificed at the altar of marriage. The sacramental nature of marriage also strengthened the position of a wife even in a polygamous society. The nucleus of family life was centered round her and on women dependent the prosperity and future progeny of the family. She was considered the creator, protector, and educator of her children. Children respected their parents, particularly the mother. Sons repaired the affection and care of the mother. Step-mothers also enjoyed equal privileges.

The Preamble to the Constitution of India promises "to secure to all its citizens, justice-social, economic and political; liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship; equality of status and of opportunity; and promote among them all: Fraternity assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity of the national"... To realise these goals the Constitution guarantees certain fundamental rights and freedoms. Along with these certain negative rights, prohibiting discrimination or denial of equal protection of law, are also guaranteed. As equal citizens of India, women benefit from these rights equally with men. However, since the constitution recognized the unequal social provisions for women and children even in violation of the obligation not to discriminate among citizens." (jacket)