Superwoman: A Myth or Reality

 

Superwoman: A Myth or Reality

 

Dr. Neha Singh Ramveer

Associate Professor

Saraswathi College of Pharmacy,

Anwarpur, Uttar Pradesh, India

 

Abstract: The aim of the paper is to reveal the journey of women and the challenges they encountered with from past to the present. The paper focuses on the role and position women owes during Vedic period. It also reveals its deterioration form Ardhangini to a mere slave. There was a time when women were considered a symbol of growth and prosperity, where wives were called Ardhangani or better half. Slowly and gradually, the role and position of women transits from Devi to a mere object of gratification. There were of course many social reformers who worked for the betterment of womanhood. Because of such great ancestors women of today are able to grow and shine independently. The paper also focuses on the great women leaders who are still commemorated and became a source of inspiration for the entire gamut of women folk. It also puts lime light on certain existing examples of women who have created history. The conclusion reveals the existing scenario of the society where the role of a woman is as important as that of a male. The motive is not to criticize those women who are house makers and not contributing financially but to stress on the importance of educated women in every single house to empower the nation.

Keywords: Ardhangini, Betterment of womanhood, Vedic period, Journey of women from past to the present

Introduction

Have you ever heard about Superwoman? Yes, you heard me right, a ‘Superwoman’. Do you have a Superwoman at home? It sounds quite weird but ostensibly, everyone has. In every single house one can find her, managing home as well as her office. After He man, Superman, Spiderman who are mythical characters and exist in comics only, we have Superwoman and they have existence.

The present study intends to compare the role and position of women in the society from past to the present. The paper also tries to shed some light on the role of the contemporary women and numerous challenges that they encountered in every single day at home as well as in office space. At every step they are striving hard to balance both perfectly. Their role and contribution in the family is something which cannot be taken for granted. It almost took years for the women to become independent and self- reliant and to attain a revered position in the society. The journey was indeed tough and full of challenges.

A Journey from Past to the Present

Centuries before, the scenario was not appealing for the women to grow and shine. Women did not have their own independent status. They were totally dependent on family and friends, socially as well as financially. They were considered not more than a slave, a showpiece and remained confined within the four walls of their house. Other than this, a woman had no identity of her own. She was even deprived of her birth right as a human being. Right from her childhood she was trained to cater her family needs as if they are born slave. Our history is evident that women have always been treated as an object of entertainment and nothing else.

The world has faced transitions in the life and the status of women from ages. Women were not always being on the same pedestal. There was a time when women were considered a symbol of growth and prosperity, where wives were called Ardhangani or better half. In the words of Vikas and Rajinish “women held a position of honour because of her participation was found to be necessary in the production process.” (21-26)Going back to the Vedic period one can find that women were given equal or higher status in the society. They were called as Devi and given a special place of honour in the family. They were not bounded with any sort of limitations instead, provided adequate amount of education to live and enjoy their lives to the fullest. The journey of women is like a roller coaster ride engaged with lots of ups and downs so let’s discuss it in brief starting from Vedic age to the present.

In the Vedic age, women were respected as mothers as they played a vital role in the growth of human society. Marriage in that era is considered a sacred ritual performed with sanctity. It was not imposed instead Unmarried girls were allowed to choose their husbands. No record of child marriage was found from that period. Women were not even deprived of military education. There were women in the past who supported their husbands in the battle field. As Awadhesh Kumar says, “in those days, women received the same military training as males. Vispala and Mudgalani were seen on their way to the battlegrounds. That was possible because of the military education they received earlier in life.” (15-20) Women were given equal rights on father’s and mother’s property. Widow of the husband inherited his property if he dies without a son. Property is passed to the daughter if a woman dies. Unmarried daughters had share in their father’s property. There was a provision of equal distribution of mother’s estate between sons and unmarried daughters.

In the Post- Vedic period the status of women began to decline. Somewhere in between patriarchy commenced and jolted womanhood in the darkness for years. That was the time when women suffered at most. When we are discussing about women empowerment, gender and gender structure needs to be discussed as it not natural but man –made and created by our society. There are myriad of reasons for the male dominance in the society. One such reason is the biological differences which is natural. In the words of Lorna Finlayson, “women may be important, powerful and influential, but it seems that, relative to men of their age and social status, women everywhere lack generally recognised and culturally valued authority.”(28)

The Post- Vedic age marked a different scenario. Comparatively, in this age the role and position of women deteriorated in family as well as in the society from master to a slave. One could witness an upheaval of evil practices in the name of tradition and customs like Sati Pratha, child marriage, Pardah system, polygamy, female foeticide etc. Women of this period had become an object of gratification and lost freedom to stand and speak in the society. It was the time of mid- eighteenth century, after Mughal invasion, the position of women deteriorated. They were not allowed to participate in any religious and social practices. Slowly and gradually, it deteriorated to the extent that even the birth of a female child was considered as a curse on the family.

The social and the religious reforms of the nineteenth century demanded the improved status of women in the society. One should not forget the contributions of social reformers like Rajarammohan Roy, B.R Ambedkar, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Vivekanand and many others who strived hard and fought against such evil practices. Rajarammohan Roy established Brahmo Samaj for the liberation of women from evil practices like sati pratha, polygamy, child marriage and it favoured widow remarriage and women education. He succeeded in 1829 when Lord William Bentick abolished the practice of sati pratha from the society. Under the leadership of Mahatama Gandhi women had come of their veil and took part in the freedom struggle with their brothers and husbands. It was because of such supportive sections that women have been able to attain an improved status in today’s society.

Several laws like the Hindu Widow Remarriage Act (1856), the child marriage restraint act of 1929, the Hindu Law of Inheritance (1929), the Hindu Women’s Right to Property Act (1937), Dowry Prohibition Act (1961), the Hindu Code Bill according to which both daughter and son have equal rights on father’s property, Maternity benefit act 1961, the equal remuneration act 1976 according to which equal wages should be given to both men and women for equal work. The child marriage restrain act of 1976, the medical termination of pregnancy act of 1971, etc. Prohibition of domestic violence act (2005)etc. were passed for the betterment of women population in the society.

History of Indian freedom struggle has witnessed the contribution of many female figures who sacrificed their lives for the nation. Women of this period walked shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts against the British Empire. They played a crucial part in the freedom movement. Though it is quite impossible to name all but some of them are: Rani Lakshmi Bai, Sarojini Naidu, Annie Besant, Begum Hazrat Mahal etc. They have set an example of women’s valour and courage and still commemorated to inspire womanhood. Razia Sultan daughter of lltutmish was the first and the last women Muslim ruler of the medieval period. Born to rule the world she was brave and courageous. Rani of Jhansi, Rani Laxmi Bai is another set of example of valour and courage. She played a vital role in the revolt of 1857. In the words of Subhadra kumari Chauhan, “chamak uthi san sattavan mein, yeh talwar purani thi, Bundeley har bolon ke munh hamney suni kahani thi, khub ladi mardani who toh Jhansi wali rani thi.”

The Advent of Modern India

Consecutively, after Independence the Indian Constitution has given equal rights to men and women and there is no discrimination between them in any profession.  Now women have right to vote, power to contest in the election and in many other professions they compete with men. They have given a chance to show their worth almost in every sphere of life. There are myriad of government policies for the empowerment of women like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme, Ujjawalayojna to combat trafficking, Swadhar Greh Mahila Sakti Kendra etc.

In the wake of twentieth century, education, social interactivity through internet, modernization paved way for the women to grow and shine. The proliferation of social networking sites and platforms like YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram etc. are highly responsible for an indispensable growth of womanhood. It opened up new vistas to work and grow freely. They are exploring themselves through tutorials like cooking, sewing, stitching, personal grooming, make up demonstrations etc. The social media is not only meant for the literate section of the population, it on the other hand has become a platform for skilled folk. Women are also staying abreast through the tutorials of coding and software programs.

Women empowerment is still a debatable topic. When we are talking about women empowerment, we are actually talking about how important a female figure is in her house? Is she involved in any important family decisions? Is she financially independent? you are actually revered in the family and friends if you are worth to it and education and awareness makes you worthy. They played a vital role in the growth and development of women. It inculcates the power of self -reliance and decision making.

As we are addressing womanhood, so its pertinent to commemorate Indira Gandhi for her selfless services for our country. She ruled India almost for a decade. She was the first lady Prime Minister of India. Under her leadership, India got historic victory in the war against Pakistan which ultimately created a new country called Bangladesh. Similarly, in the field of social service, we cannot fail to mention the name of Mother Teresa who served humanity till her last breath and earned Nobel prize for her selfless service towards poor. Mrs. Pratibha Patil, the first honourable President of India. There are many such examples but it is quite impossible to name them all. Some of them are Kalpana Chawla, the first Indian women to go in space, our honourable President Draupadi Murmu, finance minister Mrs. Nirmala Sitharaman, Mrs. Kiran Bedi, the first female IPS officer etc. are some of the finest examples of women empowerment. Other than this, today’s women are also earning their name and fame in the field of sports and games like football, hockey, table tennis, lawn tennis and also in athletics. The famous figures related to this genre are: Saniya Mirza, Sania Nehwal, Geeta and Babita Phogat, Mary Kom etc.

Another such live example who is on the footprints of aforesaid legendry figures is Mrs. Ramya Ramchandren who is the Vice Chairperson of the Saraswathi Institute of Medical Sciences, Hapur, Uttar Pradesh. Her academic venture started from holding a bachelor’s & master’s degree in public health & in hospital management from Algappa University, Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu & Arunachal University of Studies, Namsai, Arunachal Pradesh respectively. She is an eminent personality with a spirit of enhancing public healthcare systems and empowering communities.  She has been serving humanity for almost a decade. Apart from her professional excellence, she is deeply engulfed in social welfare and community development.

Through Saraswathi Ammal Educational and Charitable trust and Shri Ayyanar Educational and Charitable trust, she has promoted various outreach programs in order to improve health care services, providing health education, and empowering marginalised communities through free health camps, literacy training, awareness campaigns and mid- day meals. Due to her submissiveness towards under privileged she has garnered numerous awards from both government and private organizations. Running such a big empire and catering humanity is really applauding. Through Saraswathi Institute of Medical Sciences she is trying to impart literacy and health education to the rural sectors of society. She has left no stone unturned to make people aware about their health. Workshops on sanitation and hygiene, organization of awareness campaigns on prevalent health issues, like maternal and child health are some evidences in support of this argument.

Ms. Ramya Ramachandren’s quest to serve and empower rural communities is an inspiration for others to join hands and create a healthier and a more sustainable world to live in. Therefore, from past to the present, one can easily witness the transformation in the status of women. It however, took years to garner such a respectable position, but the importance lies in the fact that women have finally attained the status which they have been carved for. Our heartfelt congratulations to our vice chancellor madam for doing such a commendable work in the field of health care and sciences.  Apart from her contribution in the field of health care she is also a live inspiration for womanhood.

Role of Cinema

In order to inspire womanhood theatre and films worked hand in hand. Movies like Dangal, Marycom, Ghoomer, Toilet- Ek Prem Katha, Padman are actually breaking stereotypical myth and beliefs regarding women folk and paved a way towards modernism. Comparatively, women today are more focused, determined, courageous, decision maker, self-reliant and ofcourse multi tasker. Now they have power to vote, power to stand and speak in the Parliament, run Government, switch administrative work etc. There is hardly any sphere of life in which they are lacking behind. On the contrary, they are giving equal competition to men.

Conclusion

Calling education as a catalyst is not wrong for the woman empowerment. In today’s contemporary society women holds a significant position in the family. They are performing myriad roles of a mother, wives, professionals and so on. Today’s women are no longer confined to home instead they are entering in the field of medical, engineering, teaching and so on. They are enjoying their freedom to the fullest.  So there is no denying of the fact that they have come out of their nutshell breaking all shackles of superstitious beliefs. Now they have become more aware of their rights and their duties for themselves. Consecutively, there is no denying in the fact that from last fifty to sixty years women have made a considerable growth in almost every field. Hence, empowering women is to empower a nation.

References

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Chauhan, Subhadra Kumari. https://allpoetry.com/poem/8586979-Jhansi-Ki-Rani--With-English-Translation.

Finlayson, Lorna. An Introduction to Feminism. Cambridge University Press, 2016.

Janaki, M.C. “Critical Analysis of Women’s Right in Present Society.” Indian Social Science Journal. vol. 4, no 1, April- May 2015. pp 30-40.

Shah, Avadesh Kumar. “Position of Women in the Rig- Vedic Period.” Anthropo-Indialogs. vol 3, no 1, pp 15-20.

Thanavathi, C. “Status of Modern Women in India”. Research Gate.https://www.reseaechgate.net/publication/337991629.

Vikas Nandal and Rajnish. “Status of Women through Ages in India.” International Research Journal of Social Sciences, vol. 3, no. 1, 2014.  pp 21-26.