Economic Status of Women in India

Abstract

Introduction

The text discusses the historical and modern efforts to improve the economic status and human rights of women. Traditionally, women were considered legally dependent on their fathers, husbands, or sons and had limited property rights. However, ancient Indian laws allowed women some personal property (stridhana) and limited financial ownership.

International organizations such as the United Nations, Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and International Labour Organization (ILO) have adopted numerous conventions and resolutions promoting women's rights to employment, equal pay, education, social security, and economic opportunities. Important measures include maternity protection, equal remuneration, non-discrimination in employment, and social security rights.

The text emphasizes the principle of equal pay for equal work and highlights the need to support women with family responsibilities through childcare services, training, and equal employment opportunities. It also stresses the importance of women's access to financial assistance, credit, and loans to improve their economic participation and independence.

Women's participation in rural development is recognized as essential for social and economic progress. International organizations have encouraged equal involvement of women in development programs and decision-making processes.

Despite progress, women continue to face numerous human rights violations, including:

• Sexual and physical violence.
• Female foeticide and infanticide.
• Dowry-related violence.
• Human trafficking and labor exploitation.
• Denial of autonomy and economic opportunities.

Several factors affect women's economic status, including:

• Education.
• Social and cultural norms.
• Government policies and laws.
• Healthcare access.
• Childcare support.
• Financial inclusion and access to credit.

Improving women's economic status is important because it reduces poverty, promotes economic growth, improves family welfare, and advances gender equality. Key measures include:

• Equal pay for equal work.
• Better education and vocational training.
• Support for women entrepreneurs.
• Stronger property and inheritance rights.
• Access to banking and credit.
• Family-friendly workplace policies.

References

[1] A.L.Basham- The wonder that was India , p 179 [2] Arthashastra-III,2 [3] Resolution 587 F III (XX)- 3 August 1955 [4] No.3 [5] No.4 [6] No 13 [7] No 41 [8] No 45 [9] No 110 (Part VII: Maternity Protection) [10] No. 118(articles 2 and 4, where they refer to maternity benefits) [11] No.117(Part V:Non -Discrimination on Grounds of... Sex...) [12] No.142 (article1,Paragraph 5, where it refer to non discrimination) [13] No 123 [14] A.S.Altekar- The position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, p 332 [15] Davies, A short History of Women, p 357.

Copyright

Copyright © 2026 Prof. Neeta Yadav. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.