Women’s Day: From Matriarchy to Equality – Where Do We Stand?

Women’s Day is a celebration of progress, achievements, and the ongoing fight for equality. But to understand where we are today, we must look back at history. India has seen a shift from a matriarchal society, where women held power and respect, to a patriarchal one, where they were suppressed. Now, as we move towards equality, it is important to ask—are we truly equal, or are we tilting the balance unfairly?

Ancient India: A Time of Respect and Power

In the Vedic era, women were highly

respected and played an important role in society. They had the right to education, participated in decision-making, and even performed religious rituals. Many women, like Gargi and Maitreyi, were renowned scholars and philosophers. Society was more balanced, and women had independence.

The Shift to Patriarchy: Suppression Begins

Over time, society moved towards a male-dominated structure. With the influence of various social, economic, and political changes, women lost their rights and were confined to household duties. Child marriage, the practice of sati, and restrictions on education became common, limiting their progress.

The Fight for Equality and Women’s Day

As society evolved, movements for women’s rights gained strength. Laws were introduced to provide women with education, voting rights, and protection against discrimination. Women’s Day became a symbol of this ongoing struggle for equal opportunities.

Women’s Achievements in the 20th Century

In the 20th and 21st centuries, women made great progress. They stepped into fields that were once considered only for men.

• Politics: Indira Gandhi became India’s first female Prime Minister. Today, leaders like Nirmala Sitharaman (Finance Minister) and Droupadi Murmu (India’s first tribal woman President) hold top positions.
• Science and Space: Kalpana Chawla and Sunita Williams became astronauts and made India proud.
• Sports: Mary Kom (boxing), PV Sindhu (badminton), and Mithali Raj (cricket) showed that women can excel in any field.
• Business: Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (Biocon), Falguni Nayar (Nykaa), and Indra Nooyi (PepsiCo) became top business leaders.

Women are proving that they are capable of achieving great things. But while some women rise to success, others still struggle for basic safety and justice.

The Dark Reality: Crimes Against Women

Even though women have achieved so much, gender crimes remain a harsh reality.

• The Nirbhaya case (2012) shocked the nation and highlighted the issue of women’s safety. Even today, crimes like rape, harassment, and domestic violence continue.
• Many women face workplace harassment and unequal pay despite laws protecting them.
• In rural areas, many girls are still forced into early marriages and denied education.

This contrast is alarming—on one side, women are flying planes and running companies, and on the other, some are still fighting for their right to live safely.

Equality or Misuse?

Equality means fairness for both men and women. However, in today’s world, we sometimes see an imbalance. While genuine issues like workplace harassment and domestic violence need strict action, some misuse laws for personal benefit. Fake MeToo cases, false dowry harassment claims, and biased alimony laws raise questions about whether we are moving towards true equality or just reversing the roles of oppression.

As George Orwell rightly said, “The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it.” Questioning misuse is not about being against women’s rights—it is about ensuring that justice is equal for all.

The Way Forward

A truly equal society does not Favor one gender over the other. It ensures fairness, justice, and equal opportunities for all. Women’s Day should be a reminder not just to empower women but to create a world where both men and women are treated justly, without bias or misuse of rights.

Let us celebrate Women’s Day with the true spirit of equality—where respect, fairness, and justice go hand in hand.

AVINASH KUMAR Singh

MBA

ARKA JAIN UNIVERSITY

JAMSHEDPUR