The Goal of Gender Equality in India : An Analysis

Abstract

The root cause of gender inequality lies in the patriarchal system of the society. It is evident till now that the norm that one sex is superior to the other one is installed in the minds of the people and the problem is psychological. It is in the minds of both sexes. For example, if a man beats her wife daily, then the main point of concern is not the oppression, but the psychological belief that makes the woman accept that oppression. In the case of Ajit singh Harnam singh Gujral vs State of Maharashtra, the Supreme Court said, “In India, many women accept the bad treatments of their husbands and continue living with them, because a woman at the time of marriage is told by her parents that after marriage, her place is with her husband and she has to accept whatever treatment she gets from her husband and in-laws. She has to “nibhao” all treatment after marriage. Hence she continues living with him, even if her husband is a brutish, nasty and loathsome person.” This should be identified that what is it, that makes women accept it without any objection.  To understand this in Indian context, one needs to look over the evolving status of women through the ages in the Indian society.

Keywords: psychological, marriage , Maharashtra, oppression.