Women in Indian Society: A Historical Journey of Decision-Making Roles | Blog by Rohan Biswas | Phoenix
This article is part of my Sociology dissertation paper for the 6th semester. I plan to post it on my website as a resource for my viewers about women's participation in decision-making in Indian society throughout the ages.
Women in Indian Society: A Historical Journey of Decision-Making Roles
In recent decades, the discourse surrounding gender equality and women’s empowerment has gained significant momentum globally, with a particular emphasis on increasing women’s representation and leadership in political spheres. Recognizing the fundamental importance of diversity and inclusivity in democratic governance, efforts to bridge the gender gap in politics have become a focal point for policymakers, activists, and scholars alike.
The landscape of Indian politics has witnessed a transformative journey marked by the gradual but significant inclusion of women in various spheres of governance and decision-making. Historically, India has been a patriarchal society where women’s participation in politics was largely marginalized, relegated to the private sphere of household affairs. However, over the decades, there has been a discernible shift in societal attitudes and legislative measures aimed at fostering greater gender equality in political representation.
From the ancient period to modern society, the position of women in decision-making processes in India has undergone a remarkable evolution, shaped by historical, cultural, and socio-economic factors.
Ancient Period:-
In ancient India, particularly in the early Vedic period between 1500-1000 B.C., women held significant roles in decision-making within their families and communities. They were revered as goddesses and often wielded considerable influence in household matters and community affairs. Women took part in religious and social activities and they had some freedom to choose their life partner in marriage. Marriage was not compulsory for women. The daughter was not considered a liability or an unwelcome guest in her parental household. Girls would also be initiated into Vedic studies.
However, the high status that women enjoyed during the early Vedic period, gradually started deteriorating in the late Vedic period between 1000 and 500 B.C. Women began to be confined to the household. Because of the importance given to values such as purity (ritual cleanliness) and pollution (ritual impurity or contamination), women bagan to be considered impure during certain periods of their life. They were kept away from many religious and social occasions. Lineage began to traced in the male line and sons were the sole heirs to family property. As the economic and social status of sons began to rise, the position of women saw a steep decline. The strong belief of the day was that only a male heir could save his parent from the cycle of rebirth. Since a daughter left her parental home after carriage, it was the son who was left with the responsibility of caring for parents in their old age. This further added value to the sons.
A woman's place was the home and her primary responsibility was to bear sons and ensure the continuity of the family lineage. A husband’s rights over his wife were total and he had the freedom to go for another marriage, if his wife failed to beget sons. A woman was kept constantly under male control and lost her right to seek knowledge. Though there was a general decline in the status of women in post-Rig Vedic period, there were still instances of women intellectuals who showed great scholarship. Gargi and Maitreyi are the most well-known women scholars of this period. There are also references to women studying the Vedas and going through initiation rituals.
It was during the period of the Dharmashastras that the status of women completely deteriorated. During this period, child marriage was encouraged. The birth of a girl came to be considered an ill omen and many parents went to the extreme extent of killing their female infants. The practice of Sati became quite widespread because of the ill-treatment meted out to widows. Women led a life of total subjugation (subordination) and had virtually lost all hopes of emancipation (freedom). This situation more or less continued until the 19th century when the social reform movements launched a struggle to improve the conditions of women.
(Gender Inequality In India: Gender Inequality In India by Mamta Mehrotra, 2013)
Mediaeval Period:-
During the medieval period in India, the status of women experienced a decline due to various socio-cultural factors, including the prevalence of patriarchal norms, religious beliefs, and the impact of foreign invasions. Women were increasingly relegated to subordinate roles within the family and society, with limited access to education, property rights, and political participation.
Throughout the Medieval period, women were viewed as second class citizens, and their needs always were an afterthought. They were either held to be completely deceitful, sexual, innocent, or incompetent. Therefore, women were mostly withheld from positions of power or speaking their voice; males made decisions for them, and their lives were dictated by the men that ran the society.
(British Literature Wiki)
Religious teachings and societal norms made women feel less important and they were expected to do whatever men said. This made it even harder for women to have their opinion and thoughts regarding issues and were not treated fairly.
In terms of political representation and participation, women’s involvement in decision-making processes was virtually non-existent during this period. Political power was concentrated in the hands of monarchs, feudal lords, and religious authorities, all of whom were predominantly male. Women were largely excluded from formal governance structures.
Despite the decline in the status of women during the medieval period, there were still instances of women exercising power and influence. Royal women, such as Razia Sultana and Rani Durgavati, demonstrated leadership qualities and contributed to governance and decision-making in their realms but often met with resistance and faced numerous challenges due to prevailing gender norms and power dynamics.
Colonial Period:-
During the colonial period in India, the status of women underwent significant changes, influenced by the policies and practices introduced by the British colonial rulers. The British colonial administration initiated efforts to promote education, including for girls. This led to increased literacy rates among women. Colonial rule brought about legal reforms that aimed to improve the status of women, such as outlawing practices like sati (widow burning) and child marriage. These reforms were intended to protect women’s rights and ensure their welfare. The colonial period also witnessed the emergence of social reform movements led by both Indian and British activists, advocating for women’s rights and empowerment.
Among the pioneers of social reform in the 19th century, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar and Raja Ram Mohan Roy played pivotal roles in addressing these oppressive practices. Raja Ram Mohan Roy, often regarded as the father of modern India, was instrumental in the campaign against Sati, the practice of burning widows on their husband's funeral pyre. His relentless advocacy and persuasion led to the enactment of the Bengal Sati Regulation Act in 1829, which officially abolished the practice. Roy also championed women's education and the rights of widows, paving the way for broader social reforms. Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, another prominent reformer, worked tirelessly to promote women's education and fought against child marriage. He was a key figure in advocating for the Widow Remarriage Act of 1856, which legitimized the remarriage of Hindu widows, offering them a chance at a dignified life. Together, these reformers laid the foundation for a more equitable society by challenging deeply entrenched norms and advocating for the rights and dignity of women.
Despite some legal reforms, colonial policies often discriminated against Indian women, treating them as second-class citizens compared to their British counterparts. For example, women were excluded from certain educational and employment opportunities reserved for men. Patriarchal attitudes and practices prevailed even after colonial interventions, with women continuing to face discrimination and violence within both public and private spheres. Moreover, colonial authorities sometimes reinforced patriarchal norms through their policies and actions, further entrenching gender inequalities.
However, the struggle for independence saw the participation of numerous women leaders such as Sarojini Naidu, Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, Annie Besant, and Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay, who played pivotal roles in the freedom movement and contributed to shaping the socio-political landscape of India. Despite their contributions, women’s representation in the formal political arena remained sparse, with only a handful of female members in the Parliament and state legislatures.
The pivotal moment in India's political history occurred in 1950 with the adoption of the Constitution, which firmly established the principles of equality and non-discrimination. However, it wasn’t until the 73rd and 74th Amendments to the Constitution in 1993 that women’s involvement in grassroots politics received a significant boost. These amendments introduced reserved seats for women in local bodies, such as Panchayats and Municipalities. This landmark legislation paved the way for a more inclusive and representative form of local governance, offering women a platform to voice their issues and ambitions.
(Gender Inequality In India: Gender Inequality In India by Mamta Mehrotra, 2013)
Modern Society:-
In contemporary India, women’s participation in decision-making and political representation has seen significant advancements, yet challenges prevail. Over the years, there has been a visible increase in the number of women holding political office at various levels, including national, state, and local governance bodies. Women leaders like Indira Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and more recently, Mamata Banerjee, Nirmala Sitharaman and Smriti Irani, have played pivotal roles in shaping India’s political landscape.
Fot instance, West Bengal has a rich political history, with notable female leaders like Mamata Banerjee, who became Chief Minister in 2011, marking a significant step forward for women in politics. Banerjee’s leadership showcases the growing role of women in decision-making positions within the state’s political scene.
Furthermore, West Bengal has a strong tradition of women participating in grassroots politics, influenced by movements like the Naxalite movement and leftist ideologies. This grassroots activism has helped women leaders emerge at the local level, fostering a more inclusive political environment.
However, if we look at the numbers, they are not quite pleasing. Even after so many years of independence, patriarchal values and norms still prevails. There’s a lack of education and awareness among women, and a lack of family support, because of which women are still struggling to reach new heights.
A map-based report curated by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and UN Women has ranked India at 140th spot among 186 nations ranked for the representation of women in Parliament and 171st in representation of women in Union Cabinet. The report –‘The Women in politics: 2023’ presented new data in executive positions and national parliaments, as on 1st January, 2023.
(ETV Bharat National, March 2023)
According to the latest reports of the Election Commission of India, only 10.5% of Members of Parliament are women. For all the state assemblies, the Female MLAs representation stands at an average of only 9%.
However, we still have a ray of hope. In 2023, the 128th Constitutional Amendment Bill (Women’s Reservation Bill) was passed in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. With the help of this bill, women will receive 33% reservation in the Lok Sabha and in all state legislative assemblies of the country. However, Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed that it would not be implemented before 2029, following the delimitation exercise.
The key points about the Women's Reservation Bill that was passed in India in 2023:
→ Reservation percentage: It reserves one-third (33%) of the total seats in the Lok Sabha (lower house of Parliament), state legislative assemblies, and the Delhi Legislative Assembly for women. [This applies to the total number of seats, including those already reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST)]
→ Gradual implementation: The reservation will be implemented after the next census is conducted and delimitation is completed based on that census data.
→ Term of reservation: The initial reservation period is 15 years, but it can be extended by Parliament.
→ Rotation of seats: The seats reserved for women will be rotated after each delimitation exercise, ensuring wider representation.
→ Sub-quota for SC/ST women: Within the one-third reserved seats for women, there will be a sub-quota for women belonging to SC and ST communities.
If implemented properly, this law would be a significant step towards increasing women’s participation in Indian politics.
(Economic Times, September 2023)
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- Rohan Biswas
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