Question

What are the factors that has led to backwardness of women?

Answer 1

Constitution granted American women the right to vote, a right known as women's suffrage, and was ratified on August 18, 1920, ending almost a century of protest.

When India became independent, equal rights were provided to all genders, castes, classes. Without a blink. While Indian constitution is one of the most modern and forward looking, the society has been lagging behind.

When we speak of backwardness of women, we need to look at history.

The earliest human social groups were matriarchal. For the hunter gatherers, women were the gatherers and men were the hunters. Hunters were successful once in a while. The daily bread was provided by women gathering tubers and berries. It was then that people prayed to the female/mother goddess. Then, male godlets or godlings were just consorts.

Then came agriculture and animal husbandry. The gender roles switched. Now, goddesses turned consorts. Since then, patriarchy has become dominant.

Still, before the impact of Semetic religions in the north of India, women did occupy positions of influence even if not equal to men, but in substantial measure. They ran the household. Christianity and Islam came to the South earlier, but, they adapted to the local matriarchal social structure.

Thats what makes the South different from the North. Except, both regions were equally susceptible to prudish, Victorian values of the British -by then the north had already imbued Islamic culture.

Today, in the South, matriarchy has no legal or constitutional backing. Yet, the women have a solid say in affairs of the family and in their own personal choices. Women in the South are almost equal to men. When I say this, I acknowledge there still is a bit of imbalance. There are female drivers (auto, bus, truck, metro). There are women scientists, engineers and doctors. Within my own family the strongest individuals are all female.

So, considering all of India, it seems to be a regional issue. But, the good news is women are empowering themselves everywhere.

It is just a matter of time.