The very fact that attention is being given to issues pertaining to women, in itself means that they are an underprivileged lot! In global perspective, when empowerment of women is on top priority, why then the silent war cry, clinched fists, and unheard screams fail to actualize the reality of the tremendous potential of women power? Is it truly an endeavour by the comity of nation’s to actually strengthen the status of the women, or is it just a cliché, often repeated, which now sounds jarring? Nature’s ode to woman is gifted to her as a mother— procreator of civilizations. The social, economic, and political background of a woman also determines her status. Status is sometimes by birth and sometimes accidental, but never as a matter of right. The main strength of the woman of the world lies in her economic self reliability, which makes her a brand equity on her own terms. International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 08, every year, to remind the global community of the significance of the woman! Doesn’t all this commoditization of the woman lead to an onslaught on her personality? On an empty stomach, illiteracy and exploitation, I am talking of personality, an inherent contrast indeed.

International Women’s Day, in fact, is the story of ordinary women as makers of history. The struggle to participate in the society on equality basis is centuries old. The United Nations has designated March 08, as the day of the woman, many advanced nations also having a national holiday. Women are divided geographically, culturally, economically and politically, yet they are united till this day to carry forward the flag of liberty, equality and fraternity! It was during the French Revolution that Parisian women marched on to Versailles to demand women’s suffrage. From 1909, the National Woman’s Day was observed across United States on 28 Februarry. In 1910, The Socialist International, in a meeting in Copenhagen, established a Women’s Day, to honour the movement for women’s rights to achieve universal suffrage for women. In 1911, 19 March was marked as International Women’s Day and more than one million women and men attended the rallies. From 1913-14, peace movement was brewing on the eve of World War I. Women were holding protest rallies all over the world to express solidarity against wars! With more than two million Russian soldiers having died, women went to strike for bread and peace. The growing international awareness and participation of women in the political and economic progress led to The Charter of United Nations, signed in San Francisco in 1945. Indeed the first of charters proclaiming gender equality as a fundamental human right. United Nations has adopted a square policy: promotion of legal measures; mobilization of international opinion and international action; training and research; and direct assistance to disadvantaged groups.

The empowerment of women has been labeled as feminist movement by one school of thought. Socialist feminism focuses upon the private and public spheres of women’s life that can be achieved by working to end economic and cultural sources of women’s oppression. This school of thought staunchly attacks the role of capitalism in oppression of women, role of gender and patriarchy. Marx and Engels were largely silent on oppression except to subsume it under the broader class oppression. Socialist feminists however argue that a sub-class of class oppression is naive. The Radical Women and the Freedom Socialist Party point to the classic Marxist writings of Friedrich Engels (Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State) and August Bebel (Woman under Socialism) as a powerful explanation as a link between gender oppression and class exploitation. On the other hand, the Socialist Feminists of U.S.A. say socialist feminism confronts the common root of sexism, racialism and classism: the determination of a life of oppression or privilege based on accidents of birth or circumstances is to be challenged. We value synthesis and cooperation rather than conflict and competition. Gayle Rubin, in her anthropological studies, coins the phrase sex/gender system and takes Marxism to task for what she claims is the incomplete analysis of sexism under capitalism, without dismantling Marxist fundamentals! The conclusive labour for women’s rights by Sheila Rowbotham, Donna Haraway, Nancy Holmstrom, Gloria Martin, Silvia Federici, Barbara Ehrenreich etc. have gone along way to strengthen the women’s right to equality.

Slavery to men and subjugation to the patriarch family is deeply etched in our social system. In fact the type of political philosophy that the state follows deeply determines the status of women. The formation of the United States of America from the thirteen subjugated British colonies, to the Boston Tea Party, to the War of American Independence, all were secessionist movement. The colonies were composed of people who were already rebelling against the existing political structures of their nations! Yet, there has been no woman as American president! Of course, the Civil War in America redefined the social disharmony. No wonder then that Madeleine Albright (Democrat) and Condoleezza Rice (Republican) as Secretaries of State of U.S.A. is a great tribute to women. In economically advanced nations and democratic institutions, women are given important positions in governance. Most of the countries in Europe, give socio-political and economic empowerment to women. Angela Merkel is the first woman to become the Chancellor of Germany. Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir are a few names that can never be forgotten. Women’s right is indeed a baffling coinage. These rights refer to freedom inherently possessed by women, which may be legally institutionalized. Activism that surrounds women’s rights mulls over the historical and traditional bias against the women. Some forward thinking sociologists also feel that the differences between men and women are socially constructed differences rather than biologically determined immutable condition.

In the Asian context, women have played an important role in the evolution of the existing socio-political structures. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan are all struggling economies, attempting to make an economic bench mark. Yet these countries have produced remarkable women with strong grit and conviction. Historically women enjoyed equal status in all the fields of life during the ancient period. Patanjali and Katyayana suggest that women were highly educated in the Vedic period. Gargi and Maitreyi are two prominent women sages of that period. The Muslim conquest of Indian subcontinent brought about the restrictive and Islamic practices of Quaranic implementations to fore. Polygamy was practiced and women were confined to purdah and zenana. Yet Razia Sultan ruled over Delhi! The Gond Queen Durgawati died fighting the battle against Asaf Khan in 1564, Chand Bibi defended Ahmadnagar in 1590, Jehangir’s wife Nur Jehan wielded the regal power, Jijabai was deputed as queen regent, Mirabai the bhakti poetess, Akkamadevi, Lal Ded. Rani Padmani Jehanara Begum and Princess Zebunnissa were well known poetesses. Guru Nanak Dev, the first Sikh Guru, advocated equality of men and women. The practice of self-immolation—Sati, Child Marriage, Purdah, and Devdasis plagued the women’s stature. During the British period many reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Jyotirao Phule fought for legal empowerment of women. Widow Remarriage Act of 1856 was a hard blow to conservatism surrounding the widows. The Queen of bravery—Lakshmibai led the Rebellion of 1857 against the British, as did Begum Hazrat Mahal.

Many iconic women played a key part in India’s Freedom Movement. Bhikaji Kama, Dr Annie Besant, Vijaylakshmi Pandit, Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, Anjali Ammal, Aruna Asaf Ali, Sucheta Kriplani, Kasturba Gandhi, Muthulakshmi Reddi, Durgabai Deshmukh were amongst a few known names. The blood of the unknown women soaked mother India to flower into a free nation. The Rani Jhansi regiment of Subhash Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army was a respect to the spirit of a brave woman. Dr Sarojini Naidu was the first woman President of the Indian National Congress. Mrs.Indira Gandhi was and Sonia Gandhi is the President of the Indian National Congress today. Going by what is mentioned, what then is the empowerment of women? What we are talking about is the day to day existence of woman in any society. The helplessness and distorted legal structures should be banished. To each, his/her own world! Let us break all chains! Can I breathe freely, can I think independently, do I have my identity; do I have a role in society? All these questions ought to have obvious answers! To give the Asian perspective, Indira Gandhi, Dr Srimavo Bandaranaike, Benazir Bhutto, Begum Khaleda Zia, and Sheikh Hasina Wajed have been prime ministers, and Chandrika Bandarnaike Kumaratunga has been the president.

The Constitution of India guarantees all Indian women equality (Article 14), no discrimination by the State (Article 15 (1)), equality of opportunity (Article 16), equal pay for equal work (Article 39 (d)). In addition, it allows for provisions to be made by the State in favour of women and children (Article 15 (3)), renounces practices derogatory to the dignity of women (Article 51 (A) (e) and also allows for provisions to be made by the State for securing just and humane conditions of work and for maternity relief (Article 42). While strong legislation is the foundation it is the executive and the judicial wings that ought to implement these laws and the defiance should be strictly dealt by the judiciary. In 1979-80, the Mathura Rape case, forced the Government to amend the Evidence Act, the Criminal Procedure Code, and the Indian Penal Code to introduce the category of custodial rape. The year 2001 was declared as the Year of Women Empowerment by the Government of India—Swashakti. In 2006, the Imrana case, in which a Muslim woman was raped by her father-in-law, drew a great deal of media attention, that led to conviction of 10 years of imprisonment of the culprit. A certain section of Muslim clergy wanted Imrana to abandon her husband and accept her father-in-law as her husband! She had three small kids as well! Empowerment of women! The All India Muslim Personal Law Board also welcomed this decision.

Women have a large number of firsts on their own merit. In 1905, Suzanne R.D. Tata became the first Indian woman to drive a car, in 1916 Dhondo Keshav Karve founded the first Women’s University with just five girl students, in 1944, Harita Deol flew a solo flight, in 1951, Prem Mathur became the first commercial pilot in Deccan Airways, in1959, Anna Chandy became the first woman judge of a High Court, in 1966, Durga Banerjee became the first commercial pilot in the State owned Indian Airlines, in 1966 Indira Gandhi became the first woman Prime Minister of India, in 1970 Kamaljit Sandhu was the first woman to win gold at the Asian Games, in 1972, Kiran Bedi was the first Indian woman to join the Indian Police Service, in 1989, Justice Fatima Beevi became a judge of the Supreme Court of India, in 1997, Kalpana Chawla flew in space, though her second flight in 2003 was fatal. In 2004, Punita Arora became a Lieutenant General in the Indian Army, in 2005, Mandhir Rajput,was the first Indian woman to drive a train with New South Wales Rail Corporation, Australia, in 2006, V Shantha, a cancer specialist wins Ramon Magsaysay Award for public service, and so goes on the flagship of the Indian women achievers.

The major concern about women empowerment globally has to be based on three prime factors—legislative, executive, and judicial. Only then can women be actually protected from the boorish crimes, hatred, and exploitation against them at multiple levels in our socities. Why then is it that women are not recognized enough? From where emanates their insecurity? Why in history so many men are taught and so few women? Yet history would be incomplete without all the women who had such unseen role in civilization’s advancement. Look not into the body but the soul of a woman! Susan B. Anthony, Marie Antoinette, Joan of Arc, Aspasia of Miletus, Aung San Suu Kyi, Jane Austen, Simone de Beauvoir, Elizabeth Blackwell, Pearl S. Buck, Cleopatra, Marie Curie, Agnes de Mille, Dorothy Hodgkin, Helen Keller, Billie Jean King, Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, Mother Teresa, Florence Nightingale, Alexandra Romanov, Tz’u His, Medha Patkar, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Naina Lal Kidwai, and many more. Infact a large number of Heads of foreign missions in India are women. Women have played an important role in the cultural, educational, and developmental works.

In the Indian political perspective, besides the iconic name of Indira Gandhi, many women have made a remarkable niche on the Indian political horizon. Sonia Gandhi formed alliance with like minded political parties and uprooted the Bhartiya Janta Party’s National democratic Alliance. Uma Bharati of the B.J.P. had to form her own political party for she could not bear her tormentors within B.J.P. Dr J.Jaylalitha is a force to reckon in the politics of South India. Mayawati, President of the Bahujan Samaj Party, has a crucial role in awakening the socio-economic and backward classes to utilize their franchise. Brinda Karat is the politburo member of the Communist Party of India-Marxist. Of course there is a heated debate and argument for and against the thirty three percent reservations in the Indian Parliament for women.

While we have the Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, we also hear about Hillary Clinton to be the forerunner for America’s Presidential polls! And how can we forget that the greatest honour of international film industry’s two most prestigious awards went to women this year. While Julie Andrews, the renowned actress, received the lifetime achievement award from the Screen Actors Guild, commonly known as Golden Globe, Anne V. Coates, an eminent editor, received the Academy Fellowship from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA).

The fight is really not against men but against the system that gags the voice of women. Crimes against women is on the rise, worldover! Petty domestic violence and sexual harassment are daily affairs. What then should be the correct approach towards a society where women form nearly an equal population? There is no dearth of talent, merit, sacrifice and spirit of crusade for the women rights movement, what is needed is respect and opportunities to perform and prove. Let not there be a tear in a woman’s eye, let not there be fear in her heart, let not there be anxiety of suppression, let not there be persecution just because she dares to be HERSELF! In 2007 and ahead when we are in a period of global village, and no boundaries of geographic divide, women’s equality on the social, economic and political fronts will be an acid test for every mutipluralistic, multiethnical and multicultural, democratic society.

Neelam Mahajan Singh is an academician, scholar, and researcher, apart from being one of the leading women journalists in India, who has participated in progressive growth of media in the last two and a half decades. Trained at the Films and Television Institute of India (FTTI), Pune, for television news production, she worked with the television news and current affairs wing of the Government of India, where she bagged an award for excellence from the Information and Broadcasting Minister. A fighter for social causes, she is also the recipient of Ram Manohar Lohia Puraskar and Citizen’s Civil Liberties Award.