“Human nature will not change. In any future great national trial, compared with the men of this, we shall have as weak and as strong, as silly and as wise, as bad and as good. Let us, therefore, study the incidents of this as philosophy to learn wisdom from, and none of them as wrongs to be revenged. [1]”
Prologue
As a distinct gender group that counts for almost half of the total population, women constitutes a significant social group. Their gender peculiarities single them out for a distinct role in child bearing and rearing. Apart from this, their maternal instincts make them ideally suited for nurturing, caring and sustaining others. That is why women are often described as nucleus of the family institution. In addition, the physical charm and sex appeal of women makes them a moving force for literary and art creations. Thus, in a sense women epitomize everything that is tender, sensitive and spiritual in human existence. They are often portrayed as goddesses personified an amalgam of wisdom, power and wealth or Sarawati, Shakti and Laxmi. It is the virtuous way of perceiving womanhood that compelled the ancient social thinkers to declare:
“Blessed are the homes where the women are happy with their men and the men are happy with their women and they will surely prosper day by day.[2]”
Yet, despite this wonderful creation by the universe, women are subject to all forms of atrocities and cruelty inside and outside the family. The position of women in today’s society is rather pitiable. As a class, they occupy a secondary position in all walks of life.
In the social and cultural fields where women once displayed exemplary leadership qualities, no longer enjoy a coveted status. In the economic field also they have not been given any independence and therefore, are entirely at the mercy of their male counterparts in the society. They are abused and exploited, both physically and mentally. This state of women has compelled us to ask ourselves, that why is it, that women who were once respected, loved, cherished and worshipped in earlier times are humiliated, ridiculed, cursed, beaten up or killed today? To find an answer to this question it is necessary for us to examine the socio-legal status of women beginning from the early Vedic times up to the current modern period and the various movements which has been initiated for protecting the right of women and which has lead to enactment of various women protection laws.
[1] Lincoln Abraham, Response to a Serenade, November 10, 1864 in Vol. X. Complete works of Abraham Lincoln. Edited by John G. Nicolay and John Hay (New York : Francis D. Tandy Company, 1905), pp. 263-264.
[2]J.P.Atray,CrimesAgainstWomen,(1998)p.12