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Social Stratification

Notes widow is rare in Muslim society. Early marriage is common among the lower caste Muslims and
this creates hurdles in women’s education among them. In the economic and occupational spheres,
the position of Muslim women continues to be one of definite subordination to men. But the
problem of subordination of women in Muslim community has to be looked at from larger angle
of women of all the religious communities, all of them being victim of male subordination, and
gender injustice. The need of the hour is not to ‘communalise’ the situation because it will weaken
women’s struggle for justice and equality.
Changing Status : The post-independence phase has witnessed a tremendous upsurge for equality
and gender justice. The urban women are showing mass awakening for their rights. The State has
been forced to come out against discriminatory practices. Female literacy has increased appreciably.
Women have been allowed to enter all professions. Gender issues are emerging strongly. Women
of contemporary India have multiple roles to play at home, in office, factory, legislature. They are
fighting back. They are gradually getting a share in the political process. The 72nd and 73rd
amendment is the result of ongoing struggle of women for their rights. They are redefining their
role in the family and the larger society. They are gradually and gradually rejecting all customs
and traditions supportive of gender discrimination. The male dominated society has decided to
play it’s last card of religion and God. They have to rise courageously even against religion and
God if they create hurdle in their emancipation.

10.2 Women and Employment

The disadvantaged situation of women in the labour market is a consequence of their illiteracy,
lack of training and skill, and low position in the social system, including their total exclusion
from the structures of decision-making and power.
The Working Women
There has been a remarkable increase in the number of women getting out of the four-walls of the
household and becoming workers in both cities and villages, according to the 1991 Report of the
Census Commissioner. According to the 1971 Census figures, only 13.0 per cent of Indian women
were regarded as workers in the total country’s workforce. This percentage rose to 25.89 in 1981
and 28.57 in 1991 (The Hindustan Times, April 6,1993) About 80.0 per cent of the working women
are indirectly engaged in agriculture. Only 12.0 per cent of the total employees in central and state
administrative services and public sector undertakings are women. The Table 10.1 and Table 10.2
below show the total female population and as ‘unpaid’ workers. In the field of (paid) agriculture
labour, the number of women increased from 20.76 million in 1981 to 28.27 million in 1991.
Table 10.1 Female Population and Female Workers in India

Category Female population Female workers Work participation
(in millions) main and marginal rate of female
(in millions) workers
1961 1971 1981 1991 1961 1971 1981 1961 1971 1981

Total 206.2 255.0 318.2 406.5 57.5 36.2 66.3 5.75 3.62 6.63
Rural 170.6 205.6 245.1 304.0 53.6 32.7 58.5 5.36 3.27 5.85
Urban 35.6 49.4 73.1 102.5 3.9 3.5 7.8 0.39 0.35 0.78

Source : Social Welfare Statistics, 1981.
The number of women employed in India in 1979 in factories was 5.14 lakh, in mines 0.8 lakh, and
in plantations 4.18 lakh.

206 LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY