Author: Aniket Gautam
Through the ages, societal norms have dictated personal beliefs and individual values of many, often stressing the collective over individuality and personal freedom. This rigidness has caused, over the centuries, much distress, particularly towards women, who have been encumbered by systemic challenges stemming from tradition and societal pressure. Other forms of systemic biases and poor implementation would continue to hinder progress, notwithstanding measures taken in law against this, like the Dowry Prohibition Act and the Domestic Violence Act. Streedhan, by virtue of custom, was meant for women’s security, but now, there has been a distortion to who shall be dowried. To engender real change, we must rethink social values, raise awareness, and begin to ensure active empowerment of women from a family level. Boosting women is not only a necessity but rather a path towards a just and progressive society.
These So-called societies made their own rules to consider the values of individuals, on the basis of the perspective of what the commonality is between what the majority thinks and does.
But we have taken this very seriously over a period of centuries, not even time; it’s been centuries of suffering, struggle, and facing taboo not because of how individuals take things, but just because of society’s paramount consideration for judging an individual—how he/she is carrying societal values and norms. What is the paramount consideration for society? Has anyone thought about it? Not to improve society or the individual, just because on any other day they might be in the same circumstances.
Has anyone even taken a step forward to bring reform in society? Most probably not, because most people who are not suffering really don’t care about the thing that is not affecting their routine, and people who are suffering or suffer from it don’t have the courage left to stand alone against accusations and like-minded individuals. And if someone even tried to do so at their own individual level to bring some change, history has many evidences where either they got nettled by society or were tortured at each and every step towards justice.
Continuously developing societal perspectives of youngsters in our own liberal country have even thought about the problems beyond environmental crises and related to the Tier 1 cities. The majority of youngsters, as representatives of our nation, are not even aware of the grassroots problems that people are facing even in Tier 1 cities, let alone Tier 2 & 3 cities.
Females… in a very broad sense of considering every age of females in India, are suffering and will suffer until and unless every citizen or even non-resident of the country takes a step to educate and empower women. By taking it as a revolution, which is to be revolutionized at the family level first.
Let me tell you! what the grassroots problems faced by the majority of women in India are;
I didn’t even think that before getting into the National Commission for Women as a legal intern; that marrying a girl in the household where she would spend her remaining life like a queen, “Meri beti toh raj karegi”, and this criterion is totally based on an assumption basis by prioritizing societal standing and wealth. This is so unfortunate that many parents are not considering the importance of after-married life. Whether the husband treats her appropriately, her belongingness towards choices will matter or not. Countless women endure abuse due to societal pressure to “keep the family united.” Many are afraid to speak up, fearing judgment and ostracism.
To protect women from all this, there are laws such as the Dowry Prohibition Act and the Domestic Violence Act, etc. However, these laws often fail due to poor implementation and societal resistance. And who knows the reality of harassment and violence level, which have been faced by millions of women around the corners every second.
To be very precise, “the paramount consideration of society” in regard to women is just jointure (Streedhan). Marriage in India is treated as a transaction. Unfortunately, the ancient concept of Streedhan—which historical texts like the Manusmriti and Dharmashastra described as wealth gifted to a bride for her financial independence—has now been transformed into dowry, a practice that continues to exploit women and their families under the guise of tradition. This reflects societal regression.
According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), over 6,000 dowry-related deaths are reported annually in India, averaging about 16 women per day. The ancient jointure meant for women’s security has now become mere window dressing in the form of dowry.
Change is possible, but this is not going to be resolved in one or two years. It will take time, by redefining the social values and norms and, most importantly, educating society towards women and through actively working towards creating an environment where women are respected and empowered.
Let us remember that empowering women is not just about protecting their rights—it is about building a better society for everyone.
“It’s the writer’s work to write, and the criticisers work is to criticise.”
