Status of Women around the world

In honor of upcoming Mother's Day, I think this article is apt for the occasion. The more importance we give to the needs and upliftment of women the better, sooner the better, more the better. In several articles about women and empowerment, I wrote how lucky and blessed Im to live in the United States. This time wanted to explore women across the globe, their rights, traditions and value in their society.

In my opinion women's rights is the determination of the well being of that country. A country's history, tradition, religion, culture and other factors determine the rights and rules a woman may or may not have. So it is impossible to write this article in its accuracy without knowing and understanding the details of that nation indepth. I have just stated the present condition of women in their country after doing elaborate research. This is in no way meant to portray an image of any state or hurt anyone's sentiment. These are just statements according to the world wide web rewritten by me.

AFRICA:

Culture in Africa is very harsh on women. They are subjected to atrocities from Domestic Violence to Genital mutilation. This has become a growing concern across the globe. Seems like African women bear the greatest burden of ill health and disease. Women in Africa constitute  60% of HIV- Aids in Africa. Polygamy to Forced Sex are not only a violation against women’s basic human rights but also a heavy burden for their health status and their chances in the labor market. But things seem to be improving for women in most African nations thanks to the efforts of many organizations for betterment and upliftment of women across the globe including the WHO.

CHINA:

The government of Republic of China has actively promoted the cultural, social, economic and political roles of women. China in general is a Male dominated society but The Peoples republic have vowed to bring equality between Men and Women. There has been a rise in women employment, admission of women into higher education institutions but there are still signs of lower status of women. And reports of Infanticide and one child policy proves this. Although traditional marriage (Arranged Marriage) is still the way even today, Woman’s role varies slightly depending on their social status. The Marriage Act of 1950 gave the women rights to make their own marital decisions, so there seems to be changes. Education, Employment and Healthcare rights are equal in today's People's Republic of China. However participation in Politics and Goverment is almost Nil probably due to Male dominance. Globalization has had positive impact on China no doubt, but also has had negative impacts like prostitution and human trafficking.

MIDDLE EAST:

The status of women in the Middle East has been in transition since the early part of the twentieth century. The Social laws for Islamic women is widely different than any other laws for women in other cultures. There has been several feminist movement in some Muslim nations but mostly they do not get the political support for social equality and are snubbed away. But women in general have legal and economic equality with men in political life, access to education, professional opportunities, and salaries - goals for which western women have long had to struggle. But child marriage, submission and obedience to Man, social rejection incase of divorce and polygamy is still a norm in most Muslim Countries. The most conservative oppression according to Western Feminist is the "Veil" but Muslim women do not agree, they feel it is their choice of symbol of their religion. A lot of muslim women are happy just the way they are, they feel they do not need "Rescuing"  from the west. So this debate is relative. Saudi Arabia is an example of an Islamic State which resist Modernization of Women and the legal status of women in the Middle East. Right of a Muslim woman will remain a widely contested issue.

INDIA:

In this still a Male dominated Society, The status of women in India has gone through great changes in the past 60 years. From Dowry, Sati system (where widows jump into burning dead husbands pyre) Child marriage, Devadasi (Sexual exploitation of widows) to social, economic equality status. Women of India have come a long way in this Millennium. Women have seen a lot of progression in India. Today, Women in Metro cities of India fully participate in areas such as education, sports, media, arts and culture, science and technology to name a few. Modernization has changed the attitude of women in India, thanks to the global technology. A lot of American companies have moved to India and hired women so there is economic freedom. Arranged marriages seems like a distant past.

But even to this day, although women have come a long way and hold high offices in all walks of life, they are still subjected to sexual violent crimes in some parts of the country due to slow progression in rural areas. Because of unstable goverment and corruption, there is a large disparity between Urban and Rural areas of India where education, socio-economic growth is concerned.  In fact according to Reuters poll, India is the 4th dangerous country for women. Recently a 20 year old student was gang raped in a commuter bus in the capital city of New Delhi while people watched and justice is yet to be served.

SCANDINAVIA:

Denmark and Sweden are by far the most liberal countries for women in the world. They have the highest standard of living for women and enjoy the greatest freedom of Speech and Opportunities. Due to sexual freedom and access to free birth control, abortion and open society there are less unplanned pregnancies and STDs which helps in maintaining the overall health in Sweden, Denmark and Norway . Women have legal, civil, political, economical, financial, social Liberties and Equalities.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:

According to a recent article in Washington Post "For women in America, equality is still an illusion"  No doubt we live in the greatest country in the world and are unfamiliar with the ways and atrocities against women in other countries. We are still under the illusion that Men and Women are equal in the USA.

This is the home of Women super powers like Oprah Winfrey, Hillary Clinton and Supreme Court Women Judges, Ginsburg and Sotomayor. Yet, we are far cry from sexism. Women hold 17 percent of the seats in Congress; abortion is legal, 85 percent of women work outside the home, 70% have no male provider, not sure if this is Feminism or cry for help.

IMO....In America, Women do not know what exactly they want. We are always trying to prove women have the same abilities as men, the same talents, and the same mental and physical toughness. Women can do everything a man can do and yet complain that the men do not support them. If Women are traditional and want equal rights, it suggests Men are diminished and marginalized. American women are very confused and struggling to recognize what exactly they want. I rest my case!

Jyothi is a long time New City resident, more can be found on her blog at http://livingforsoul.com