Empowering Women: The Role Of Law In Driving Socio-Economic Change
- IJLLR Journal
- 4 hours ago
- 1 min read
John J Numpeli, Sree Narayana Law College, Poothotta, Affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam.
ABSTRACT
This article explores the role of law as a vital mechanism for "social engineering" in the ongoing transformation of women’s social and economic status. By tracing the historical trajectory of women’s rights from the intellectual equality of the early Vedic period to the significant decline and marginalisation during the medieval era, the study highlights how legal and social structures have dictated women's position in society.
The analysis examines the shift toward modernisation, beginning with colonial-era reforms that dismantled oppressive practices like sati and prohibited widow remarriage. It further details the robust legal framework of post-independence India, in which the Constitution serves as a cornerstone of equality, providing specific protections under Articles 14, 15, and 21 to address historical disadvantages. This domestic progress is contextualised within the global landscape, citing international instruments like CEDAW and landmark reforms in the UK and USA that moved beyond formal recognition toward practical measures for removing societal barriers.
Key contemporary developments are discussed, including economic empowerment through equal pay and maternity benefits, the protection of bodily autonomy via reproductive rights, and the securing of property rights through the Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act. The article also evaluates the impact of recent political mandates, such as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, and various government welfare schemes like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, in fostering an inclusive society. Ultimately, the article concludes that while law has been a powerful catalyst for progress, achieving complete gender equality remains an ongoing process that requires addressing persistent challenges like gender-based violence and systemic underrepresentation.
