Recently in Liberation of Women Category

In ancient society, men and women had equal rights. Later, when some distinguished women such as Gargii, Maetreyii and others excelled their male counterparts in intellect, learning, humanity and power of contemplation, a group of male conspirators started curtailing their rights one after another in order to engender an inferiority complex in their minds. In the varńáshrama [caste] system, women and Shúdras as groups were segregated. That was a dark chapter in human history indeed. Human beings conspired against their fellow humans to deprive them of their legitimate human rights. It can be said that the seeds of exploitation, imperialism and colonialism were sown at that time.

Long before that, weaving was done mostly by women because the capacity to care for minute detail which is so essential for handiwork is found more in women than men. Even today weaving is done by women in many parts of the world. Obviously, when women became segregated, then weaving, too, as a hobby or profession came to be considered inferior. All this happened due to the conspiracies of a few men. Usually people indulge in such acts to revenge themselves on others.

What sort of treatment have women received so far? It is very true that women have gradually lost their rights or freedom in certain cases due to lack of competence. There are those who think that, because of this, special abilities are the only criteria for having rights. Such people, however, actually want women to be wageless slaves under the strict supervision of men. But is it merely due to their lack of competence that women have lost their rights? Have not the overflowing sentiments of their hearts also been partly responsible? Have not women, swayed by their emotions, ignored their own petty interests and gradually given everything - even the high social status that fascinates them - to their husbands, sons and brothers? Is it not reasonable to expect human beings (certainly human beings are not animals) to pay proper respect to such humility and large-heartedness? If a guest arrives unexpectedly, who volunteers to forgo a meal to feed the guest? Who deprives herself first when a delicious dish is prepared? Who leaves home to keep house for others, giving up her paternal property rights (regardless of what the law says)? Are not these observations applicable throughout most of the world? I do not say that men are ordinary human beings and that women are angels; I have only focused on women as human beings and mentioned their special qualities. Does a husband, when his wife is ill, nurse her with as much care as she nurses him when he is ill?

Statesman News Service, KOLKATA, Aug. 8: A 34-year-old housewife was allegedly beaten to death by her husband in Muchipara when she refused to give in to his persistent demands for dowry.

The victim's elder brother lodged a complaint with police today, but her husband is at large.

According to reports, Sima Aich had been admitted to NRS Medical College and Hospital on 2 August, after being severely beaten up by her husband, Mr Gopal Aich, who is employed with Food Corporation of India (FCI).

National News Service, Kolkata - 7th August 2006: A casteless, dowryless and priestless revolutionary marriage took place at Dishari (Marriage Hall) in Salt Lake City of Kolkata on 4th August 2006 with a Sanyasini in saffron robes conducting the ceremony. Two Bengali speaking persons - a boy and a girl -of different castes were united in matrimony under the auspices of Ananda Marga founded by Marga Guru Shrii Shrii Anandamurtjii. The married couple were Sri Kaushik Maity and Srimati Manidipa Hazra.

In the sphere of society building we come across different sections of people moving in different ways. Looking at the whole social structure, these diversities carry a special significance. Had there been no diversities, human society would not have even arrived at the Stone Age, let alone the present civilization. We will have to recognize, we will have to consider with equanimity, every idea, form and colour of diversity which facilitates the process of people's inner growth. If we fail to do so, the part of society that has been nurtured with that particular idea, form or colour shall wither away for good. I don't say this only for those who think deeply about the welfare of society, but for every member of society, so that no one may ever give indulgence to injustice through thought, word or deed.

KOLKATA, July 25: Governor Mr Gopal Krishna Gandhi criticised jewellery advertisements and said that such advertisements had an adverse effect on the minds of people from the lower-middle class.

Pakistani women have been granted the right to be freed on bail while awaiting trail for minor offences.

Eight women were released from prison on Monday, after the president amended the law.

Pervez Musharraf signed an amendment on Friday to the Hudood Ordinance allowing women awaiting trial on charges of adultery and other minor crimes to post bail - a right previously denied.

Officials say 1,300 women stand to be released on bail immediately as a result of the amendment.

The eight women, aged between 20 and 30, were released from Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore, capital of the eastern Punjab province, said Sarfaraz Mufti, chief of prisons in Punjab.

"Under current law, women are assigned half the value of a man. For example, four women must appear in court to fulfill the requirement of two witnesses."

Full story: http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=33570

BAGHDAD, 13 April (IRIN) - According to the findings of a recent survey by local rights NGOs, women were treated better during the Saddam Hussein era - and their rights were more respected - than they are now.

"We interviewed women in the country and met with local NGOs dealing with gender issues to develop this survey, which asked questions about the quality of women's life and respect for their rights," said Senar Muhammad, president of Baghdad-based NGO Woman Freedom Organisation. "The results show that women are less respected now than they were under the previous regime, while their freedom has been curtailed."

Statesman News Service, MIDNAPORE, April 15. - As the hour for polling draws close, the CPI-M's acts of intimidation seem to be intensifying. It appears the Marxist cadres did not even spare an Opposition woman candidate.

Yesterday, Mrs Aparna Dutta, the Amra Bangali candidate from Assembly constituency No. 223 of Midnapore, was attacked by about 100 CPI-M hoodlums at Goaldanga in Midnapore Sadar block. She had gone to the place to campaign.