INDIAN WOMEN – FINDING A SPACE IN THE SOCIO-CULTURAL MILIEU Finding a space for women in the socio-cultural milieu is not a country specific problem. It transcends across nations. The news surprises us that in total numbers the U.S. has more cases of rape and sexual assault than India does, including aggressive sexual assaults in university campuses, though after the Delhi Nirbhaya case, India is singled out on this issue. It is paradoxical that the only country which produced woman President, Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, Lok Sabha Speaker, Leader of Opposition, female executives in the national financial institutions, treats its daughters with the least dignity and honour. India ranks among the countries with the highest levels of infanticide, with millions of “missing girls”. India has complex cultural attitudes to its women. For the large majority of women in India, life is both tough and uncertain. On one side media require women to tantalize men towards it. On another side, women’s success stories are not given enough coverage. It is worthwhile to cite here an instance when Prime Minister Modi gave a backhanded compliment to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for being tough on terrorism “despite being a woman”. Patriarchal attitudes are not changed even though the country had contributed firebrands of women freedom fighters. Women in India are apt to be called weaker sex. They rank 140 out of 179 countries in the Mother’s Index Rank while Chinese women rank 61. This is clear indicator of India’s poor maternal health. According to the 2011 census, male literacy rate in India is 82.14% while female literacy rate is 65.46%. This low level of literacy has a negative impact on the lives of women and their families. Moreover it adversely affects the economic development of the country too. Numerous studies show that illiterate women have high levels of fertility and mortality, poor nutritional status, low earning potential, and little autonomy within the household. A woman’s lack of education also has a negative impact on the health and well-being of her children. For instance, a recent survey in India found that infant mortality was inversely related to mother’s educational level. Educating girl child and retaining them in schools strengthens maternal health. Education provides mental strength and mental toughness. It in turn multiplies the number in labour force. Education and labour help women to break the shackles of exclusion. It helps them realize their potential. Actually it is a proven fact that women labour force raises the GDP of a country. Employed women tend to spend their money on developmental processes as against employed men. But the work environment should be productive and harmonious. In India equal pay for equal work is still a distant dream while safety in the work place is a myth. Gender specific issues are not yet addressed in the Indian workplaces. Brutal working hours is another problem. In India, different NGOs and SHGs have proven that women on assuming leadership, become mentor and guide to other women. Prerna is one such organization working among rural women. In Kerala, we have the case of Rabiya who made her entire villagers literate despite being confined within a wheelchair. There are much more examples like Sunitha Krishnan, Sudha Murti etc. Government shows affirmative discrimination by giving scholarships to girl child in India. PREPARED BY SAJEENA SHUKKOOR, HSST (ENGLISH), TRIVANDRUM CREDITS GIVEN TO THE HINDU DAILY FOR DATA

Women have always played a pivotal role in Indian history in the form of Gargi and Maithreyi in the Vedic Age, Jhansi Rani, Indira Gandhi, Indira Nuyi and many more. But this parade of women does not relieve us from the greater blow. The size of the women population trampled is alarmingly high. Indian woman has to redraw her space in a wide canvass of inclusion. She has to cross many milestones towards achieving that.

PREPARED BY SAJEENA SHUKKOOR, HSST (ENGLISH), TRIVANDRUM CREDITS GIVEN TO THE HINDU DAILY FOR DATA