Violation of Women Rights in India

India is a multiparty, federal, parliamentary democracy with a bicameral parliament. The principle of gender equality is enshrined in the Indian Constitution in its Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties and Directive Principles. The Constitution not only grants equality to women, but also empowers the State to adopt measures of positive discrimination in favour of women. The Constitution of India grants Fundamental Rights, ensure equality before the law and equal protection of law, prohibits discrimination against any citizen on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth, and guarantee equality of opportunity to all citizens in matters relating to employment. ‘Women’s rights are the edifice on which human rights stand’ (Dr APJ Abdul Kalam).The women in India very often have to face discrimination, injustice and dishonour. Though women in India have been given more rights as compared to men, even then the condition of women in India is miserable. However, women often denied of their right to freedom at form part of everyday life such as freedom of movement, access to education and participation in decision-making process. There are many barriers to equality between the sexes. Important factors include gender stereotyping violence against women, social and cultural attitudes, and discriminating laws and practices. Women throughout the world live in constant fear and conditions of deprivation very often for their simple reason that they are women. Violation of women rights is one of the most direct expressions of the power imbalance between men and women. Therefore, any attempt to assess the status and problem of women in a society should start from the social framework; social structure, cultural norms, and value systems are crucial determinants of women’s role and their position in society. In respect of the status there is a gap between the theoretical possibilities and their actual realization.