EMPOWERING WOMEN, EXPANDING AWARENESS AND ERADICATING VIOLENCE

Critics of the Indian family system say that women in the Indian society have from time immemorial been victims of intolerance. They haven't enjoyed an equal platform with their male counterparts. They have not only been denied at the society level but also in the family. She may not even have any share in her father's property. Ideologies, institutional practices and existing norms in society have contributed much to their harassment. In spite of the legislative measures adopted in favor of women in our society after independence, the spread of education and women's gradual economic independence, countless women still continue to be discriminated and harassed. It is not uncommon to come across individuals from all strata of society, not expressing happiness at the birth of a girl child .In fact there are sections of societies in India that even kill the girl child before she could come into this world. Illiteracy, cultural and religious oppressions have made their condition even more pathetic. Nehru, the first Prime Minister of Independent India, clearly said that while women participation in the nationalist rise was crucial, "the women of India have an additional task, and that is to free themselves from the dictatorship of manmade customs and laws. They will have to carry on this second struggle by themselves for man is not likely to help them