Essays

A radical change has come about since Independence, in the Indian Woman's role in society, where women automatically took a 'back seat' in all decisions which were made by the 'men' of the households and she followed blindly, never questioning, never considered important or intelligent enough to express an opinion.

The 'weaken sex' who remained a 'home commodity', whose clearly defined role involved cooking, taking care of the children, running the household on the money allotted her by her husband, being the ever patient, ever docile, ever

obedient wife and mother.

Although pre-partition, women were liberated enough to step into public life, like Sarojini Naidu, Kasturba Gandhi, Bhikaji Cama, and others encouraged their peers to change the myth that women could not work outside the confines of their homes, the real radical change only came later when Indian women began to walk and work and think at par with their male counterparts.

Today, even though there is much scope for further change and advancement, women hold their own place in almost every field be it politics, teaching, the Forces, medicine, sports, legal aid, executives, entrepreneurs, engineers, bank managers, etc. What needs to alter drastically is the 'mental attitude' of people, particularly males who still dominate our society.

Unless the change comes from within, progression will be limited and a woman will not come full circle despite her endeavours and pleas, to be on equal footing as the males.