Harmful Traditions And Cultural Practices Against Women In India: An Egregious Violation Of Human Rights
Akanksha Yadav, Amity Law School, Noida
ABSTRACT
There have been many harmful traditions and practices against women in India. They have existed throughout history in various forms. They have been part of our society for so long that they are accepted as cultural practices. Women all across the world are considered as weak and vulnerable sex. Under the patriarchal society they become very easy targets to dominate and harass.
This article discusses about some harmful traditions and cultural practices in India which have been seen as a part of natural order of things. People justify these practices. These gender-based violence are defended by society on basis of tradition, religion, culture and superstition. These traditions and practices cause a huge violation of human rights of women. They have made women inferior, vulnerable, dependent and unequal. This article further talks about various laws and regulations made to eliminate these practices and traditions. Since 19th century laws have been made to remove such practices from our society. Laws such as Hindu Widow Remarriage Act,1856; Dowry Prohibition Act,1961; Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 have been made so that women can fight against the injustice happening to them.
But inspite of these legislations the position of women still remains unequal and vulnerable. This is because these practices cannot be eliminated only through legislations made by government until people of society come together. The problem can be solved not by the government but with the government. As it is said by Jawaharlal Nehru “legislation is necessary and essential but it cannot itself solve deeply rooted social problems and one has to approach them in other way too”
This article further contains suggestions on how to make implementation and effect of these legislations more efficient.
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