Historical perspectives on changing status of women's development and empowerment in India

Abstract

The realities of gender relations in India marked through remarkable pathways over the centuries and still present reality are complex, diversified. Evidently asymmetrical treatments towards women in accessing social rights, resource distribution, health facilities, education and political rights are present today also. Empirical research shows social attitudes towards women have different outlook which are examined under historical grounds. The gender roles and gender gaps which are still persisting in contemporary society have transcended specific determinants over the years. These are in different fashion with different geographical territories. Even in India the nature has changed over time phases and spatial boundaries, but the commonality remains the same as not treating women equally with men. So, the study will try to find out ingrained vistas which society fixated over the ages and will also address the journey of womenfolk to stage firmly in today's world. The descriptive nature and qualitative analysis of the study is to deeply insight the matter and to understand the various dimensions of it. So, findings are depending on the secondary sources of the subject concerned in the form of holistic exploration. The resultant outcome will tend to assist policy framing and better understanding of the issue from the researcher's point of view as well as common masses. The initiative of the study is to reach the women of the society behind the closed doors who are facing the problems without knowing their standpoints. So, some recommendations are given to reduce the gaps and to walk towards building a sustainable society.