Status of Women in Contemporary World
Without a well defined, high-profile issue that clearly demonstrates discrimination against women, and is susceptible to a concrete remedy, political mobilization of women will not take place. Women have, in the past, mobilized politically for some well-defined causes when definite corrective measures were achievable. Despite high levels of resentment about the general status of women, most women today are not inclined toward political action because they do not perceive the problem as being susceptible to civil remedies. It would, therefore, take a clearly defined form of discrimination, that had a practical remedy, for women to mobilize.
Notable instances of the political mobilization of women include the Suffrage movement, the pro- and anti-ERA movements, and the electoral response to the Clarence Thomas hearings in several states. In each instance the issues appeared to be clearly defined to those women who mobilized to promote or defeat issues or candidates. Regardless of whether or not the issues truly were well-defined, or even whether supporters actually understood the issues, the proponents of particular viewpoints believed that they were so defined. In each case there was also a goal that, when accomplished, would be taken to mean that their ends had been achieved: obtaining the vote, passing or defeating the ERA, and electing or defeating political candidates.
Regardless of which side women took on these issues they were mobilized by the belief
that a wro
Status of women in India. 2. Women in the Muslim world. 3.
Women in SAARC countries. 4. Women in global picture.
5. Asian women in Britain. 6. The Russian women.
7. Women's liberation in China. 8. Women and religion.
9. Social issues. 10. Purdah and public space. 11. Women in Islam.
12. Widow remarriage. 13. Women and women's issues.
14. Studying and working women. 15. Women's organisations and
movements. 16. Structural adjustment of female workers.
17. Amendment of Dowry Prohibition Act. Index.
"The status of woman refers to the position women are granted as
individuals in the social structure, defined by their designated rights
and obligations. We shall try and explore the status in terms of a role,
or the pattern or behaviour expected of the occupant of the status--
the woman. The diverse roles she performs in society, as stated earlier,
are those of a daughter, a wife, a mother and a career woman. In order
to have a global picture of women's status, let us make a quick review
of some of the developed, developing and under-developed countries
in terms of the position occupied by women in different social structures,
and try to determine ways and means to enhance their position through
the most powerful media: education.
"The western woman has also lived, almost always, as the subordinate
member of the two sexes, and has been biologically and physically
regarded as the weaker sex who, at best, can either be protected or
neglected. This relationship between woman and man has been
accepted--civilization after civilization. She has been labelled the last
of the human beings on earth to challenge civilized life for achieving
humanity towards her. Woman has been invisible in the history of
human life." (jacket)
