Indian Women

Contents: Preface. 1. Status of women in India. 2. Indian Dalit women. 3. Tribal women. 4. Religious restrictions enforced upon women. 5. Female infanticide. 6. Genocide of women. 7. Women and agriculture. 8. Empowerment of rural women. 9. Educational programmes for rural women. 10. Development of rural women. 11. Women and human rights. 12. Women\'s movements in India. 13. Development policies for women. Bibliography. Index.

"This study discusses the problems and challenges faced by the Indian women since ancient days.

In Vedic age, the women were declared to be innately unfit for independence. Manu said, \'father protects her in childhood, husband protects her in youth, sons protect her in old age; a woman is never fit for independence\'. For centuries they have been subject to torture, mal-treatment and all sorts of mis-behaviour.

Western impact influenced the Indian social-system and era of social reforms began during the 19 century. The Sati tradition was eliminated, slave trade abolished, girls education started and in the eyes of law women were provided equal status.

While in pre-independence India education among women was slow and limited to city based upper strata of society, however it tremendously increased in independent India. Even though women education and awakening in rural, Dalit and OBC pockets is still alarming inspite of the facilities for free education and equal opportunity due to various socio-economic factors like mass poverty, ignorance and superstitions.

Today, there are many genuine efforts of empowerment and development programs for the Indian women started by the government." (jacket)