Women’s rights are the fundamental human rights that were enshrined by the United Nations for every human being on the planet nearly 70 years ago. These rights include the right to live free from violence, slavery, and discrimination; to be educated; to own property; to vote; and to earn a fair and equal wage.

As the now-famous saying goes, “women’s rights are human rights.” That is to say, women are entitled to all of these rights. Yet almost everywhere around the world, women and girls are still denied them, often simply because of their gender.

Many of those women who could grab the oppor­tunities extended to them have proved that they are capable of discharging the responsibilities assigned to them on par with men. The nation which neglected almost 50% of its population for several centuries has now understood the necessity of giving equal rights and opportunities to its womenfolk.

These developments boosted the morale and self-confidence of women. As a result, Indian women now feel that they too have their own individuality, personality, self-respect, talent, capacity and efficiency.

The Constitution of India provides equal rights and opportunities to women. It does not make any discrimination on the grounds of sex. Indian women are also responding positively to this changed socio-political situation. This does not mean that our women are completely free from problems. On the contrary, the changing situation is causing them new problems. They are now beset with new stresses and strains. Some of the major problems haunting the modern women may briefly be analyzed here.

• Increasing Violence against Women.
• Gender Discrimination.
• Problems of Female Education.
• Problems Relating to Employment and Unemployment of Women.
• Harassment of Women at Work Place.
• Exploitation of Women in the Media.
• Divorce and Desertion.
• The Problem of Dowry.
• Decline in the Political Participation of Women.
• Matrimonial  discord
• Family adjustment  problems
• Physical and  mental harassment by in-laws
• Harassment by  neighbours or others
• Child custody
• Rape
• Physical abuse
• Emotional  distress
• Legal advice and  implications
• Harassment related to police
• Non co-operation from police
• Other  miscellaneous problems of women

• What rights do we stand for?

  We want every woman and girl to realize the rights that are enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We also stand for other rights that are vital for women’s equality. We stand for a woman’s right to decide if and when she has children, and to have high-quality health care that means she won’t die in pregnancy or during childbirth. We know female genital mutilation is a violation of girls’ rights, and must be eliminated. And we stand for the right of every woman to live equally and free from discrimination, no matter her sexuality or identity.

•