Saga of Women Rights

For centuries the position of women had been most deplorable, regarded as the instruments of child production with no better status than slaves. This feature was not restricted to any particular country or civilization but almost at everywhere, especially in the mediaeval age. However, with the change of ages, and intrusion of new ideas significant developments marked the saga of women. In the initial years the cudgel of struggle was taken up by progressive men, on the behalf of women. However, it must be confirmed that the initial years were much more difficult. But the immense endeavor and zeal compiled a new term called women rights in the international arena, that has perceived different applications of it in various countries. Whatever it is, the various applications and experiments have denoted women rights as an exclusive form of freedom intrinsically possessed by women and girls of all ages, which are, may be disregarded or unlawfully curbed by law, convention, and behavior in a specific society. These rights being exclusive have a difference from the general notions of human rights, since they are applicable for general people, in the broader sense.

Now as far as the issues are concerned it depends on the very culture. Where in India the ritual of sati daha, dowry system, female feticide, sexual exploitation even of minor girls are pertinent issues of women rights movement and leads into activism, in the western world the lack of job security for women and also rising sexual exploitation against women are indeed big issues of women rights movement. If we go to the history we will come across different movements that have compelled the concerned governments to concentrate more on this issue and change the course of law to bring justice to the aggrieved women. For these women are in better position than the bygone ages and can vote, own property, work in many different professions, and hold public office. But there is still a long way to go.