Editorial

Dear readers,

'Drushti Stree Adhayan Prabodhan Kendra' functions in Pune. The center deals with women related studies, awareness and awakening, research regarding women's issues, collection of women related news and respective publications.

All of you must have gone through the first issue of Mahila Vishwa 2005. It is with great pleasure that we present the second issue which is based on the major events regarding women during the year 2006. Besides the available information, we have also included certain articles written by experts in the filed of women's studies. Drushti collects the information from various newspapers, government reports & the projects undertaken by various social institutions. The information is categorized according to subject. After each 2 months, a collection of special news, articles and reports is done on the basis of the respective issues. In 2006, one could see that the media discussed a lot about dance bars, PNDT Act, Female Foeticide, women in military and Marriage Registration Act. Mahila Vishwa 2006 contains articles based on these issues.

There is an effort to make the people from the various strata of society aware of these subjects, make them give a thought to these issues and also make them take a serious note of the same. Female foeticide was discussed on a very large scale in the year 2006. Since this issue affects the social life directly, it has been presented from the social, administrative and the medical perspective.

In addition to this women who have received various awards or have completed commendable tasks have also been specifically mentioned. During the last year, besides regularly compiling news, Drushti studied and analyzed the migration of the girls who go for domestic work from Adivasi areas from Jarkhand, Orissa and Chhatisgad to Delhi. 200 girls from this area were surveyed. These girls are brought to Punjab, Delhi, Mumbai & Goa for domestic work. The agencies which give jobs to these girls and the social workers in this field were also interviewed and a major social problem was studied. Through this study, Drushti tried to seek social attention to the problems of the girls from Adivasi areas. A booklet based on this is also being prepared. In this age of information explosion, the workers of Drushti have very studiously and meticulously selected only the proper and relevant information.

Our special thanks to Mr. Shailendra Borkar from Sanwad Trade Prints for making this issue a very presentable one. We also thank the advertisers who have always been helping us.

It is the result of the collective efforts of the various people that we are in a position to present this issue of Mahila Vishwa. We hope that it will be certainly useful for you. Your suggestions are always welcome.

Dailies like Sakal, Loksatta, Maharashtra Times, Lokmat, Navbharat Times, Pudhari, The Indian Express & The Times of India were referred to frequently while writing the articles or while writing about the major events or happenings during the year 2006.

Anjali Deshpande
Secretary

Editorial Committee -
Asha Bapat
Swati Lele
Ranjana Khare
Neelakshi Godbole

Contents

About ' Drushti '

It is essential to think about women's development and progress while thinking about the social change. Women have a lion's share in social development. However, due to patriarchal cultural and social conditions as a result of it, women were oppressed. Many problems like injustice to women, violence to women, their economic, educational backwardness the question of their exploitation arose.
With the aim of studying women's problems from all angles and to make the society aware of them and to make efforts to solve these problems, Drushti Stri Adhyan Kendra was established in 1996.
Various programs undertaken by Drushti - Collection of women related news an articles published in news papers and magazines since 1996 is available. Collection of reports of women's commission as well as booklets regarding women's problems are also available.
Study Circles - (1) Feminism (2) Hindu thought regarding women (3) Holistic views on women (4) Act against domestic violence & right to property by heredity.
Seminars - (1) Informal education of women during post independence era. (2) Effects of T.V. serials on family life.
Published Works - (1) Informal education of women during post independence era. (2) Statistics related to women's issues for India and the world. (3) Bimonthly collection of news. (4) Women's health (5) Women's social development through self health groups in Maharashtra.
Survey - (1) Problems of domestic workers. (2) Health of teenagers. (3) Women's social development through self health groups in Maharashtra. (4) The study of the problems of migrated girls from Zarkhand, Chattishgad and Orissa in search of jobs in Delhi. Report of the same has been published.

Trustee Board

1) Smt. Nirmala Vaidya - Chairperson
2) Smt. Anjali Deshpande - Secretary
3) Smt. Sunila Sovani - Treasurer

Members

1) Smt. Pramila Medhe
2) Smt. Geeta Gunde
3) Smt. Pushpa Nade
4) Smt. Ranjana Karandikar
5) Smt. Suvarna Rawal
6) Smt. Nirmala Apte
7) Smt. Nishigandha Mogal
8) Smt. Geeta Gokhale

Foeticide : Measures at administrative level
By Dr. Chandakkar

In 2006 media discussed foeticide on a very large scale. The major reason for such a discussion was the very low birth rate of the female child as compared to that of the male child in India. Foeticide and female infanticide have been growing rapidly and have affected our social life & the consequences of such a growth have become very conspicuous by now. Its a very agonizing picture and a matter of serious concern. Therefore from various strata of society efforts are being made to eradicate the problem.

Even the government is also looking into the matter seriously. A detailed information regarding the administrative majors taken by the Health Department of Pune Municipal Corporation to prohibit foeticide was sought from Dr. Dhananjay Chandakkar.

In 2003 the government amended the old PNDT Act and prohibition of Sex Selection Act was passed. Resultantly, government could considerably control the process of identification of sex of a foetus. Previously there was no control over private medical practitioners and so, female foeticide was rampant since sex identification of the foetus was rampant. But according to the new law it is mandatory for every such medical practitioner to register himself as gynecologist or radiologist. So, sonography machine cannot be bought in the absence of such a registration. Registration makes it obligatory for the medical practitioner to submit a monthly report of the abortions done. The report has to be submitted to the advisory committee of the Health Department of the PMC. The PMC has appointed an advisory committee for the implementation of this act. The committee consists of a gynecologist, an advocate for PMC, woman representative or women empowerment officer and a representative of an NGO. After each 3 months scrutiny of the professional's work is done. The law also has a provision for punishment. The task is carried out under the observation of 14 ward medical officers. The report by this committee includes the information regarding whether a particular abortion is done after the first female child or the second female child. A meeting of the committee is held after each two months and all the registrations are scrutinized, complaints are dealt with and legal advises given.

Illegal practitioners or people advertising such illegal matters can be sued to the court under this act.

The committee has assertively stated that due to this act male-female birth rate ratio has shown a positive change. In order to create awakening regarding foeticide, PMC has undertaken Janeev Jagruti Mission. The PMC in collaboration with IMA also conducted a programme called curb the menace of sex determination.

PMC has also prepared an exhibition concerning the subject and last year in the Anganwadi Sevika Meet, a detailed information of foeticide was given. Similarly doctors from Ashtang Ayurveda and Tarachand Hospital were informed about the act and awareness was created.

Dr. Chandakkar expects common citizens, doctors and NGOs to participate in this mission. He also appeals to the NGOs to help in taking action against illegal medical practitioners.

Foeticide : A medical perspective
Dr. Vaijayantee Khanvilkar

In the 21st century India has progressed rapidly in the filed of science. However, incidents which bring disgrace to the whole humanity have also been taking place. In the various states of India, either in rural or urban regions, a female child is killed after it is born or in some cases people see to it that a female child is not born at all and therefore, they exploit science and kill the female foetus.

According to Lanset, a magazine published from Britan, it is reported that in India within just a span of 20 years one crore female foeticide cases have taken place. This means that the average is 5 lakhs foeticides. The nobel prize winner economist Amartya Sen has observed and pointed out that total female population of the world is 10 crore less than the male population of the world. The reducing no of girls is very evident from the census statistics. The awareness of the fact that the reduced number of women is to produce disastrous effects for the society has laid to making efforts at social awaken of all the strata of society.

" Female foeticide must be a serious concern for doctors also, otherwise the social health will face dire consequences," asserts Dr. Khanvilkar the PNDT (Pre Natal Diagnostic Technique - Regulation and Prevention of misuse Act 1994) was implemented. The basic purpose of the act was to control sex determination by foetus test. This test legalized abortion in case of the diagnosis of hereditary disease or incase of genetic problems. But the loop hole of this law was once the genes were known, diagnosis of sex naturally followed it. Therefore, to avoid this sought of sex determination and female foeticide based on that PNDT had to come into being. To examine or diagnose hereditary disease, improper growth of the foetus, level of Hb or any psychological problem of the mother, the act made a provision for the use of prenatal diagnostic techniques. But unfortunately this technique was exploited for sex determination before delivery and female foeticide if the foetus was that of a female child.

Scientist develop an easy, convenient, visual and multidimensional technique called ultrasonography. It became available easily everywhere and due to it sex determination became easy. Female foeticide started taking place on a large scale, once the sex was determined easily. During last two decades sonography has been used as an equipment for female foeticide and this has resulted into the dangerous reduction of the number of females.

In case of an unwanted pregnancy, according to MTP law 1991 abortion is allowed till first 20 weeks. However, this law was exploited to the advantage of some and sex determination and abortion within 18 to 20 weeks became a business for some doctors. If one studies the census report, it is evident that :

Year Women Men

1901 972 1000
1981 933 1000
1991 927 1000
2001 922 1000

This means that even with the increase in literacy rate, the birth rate of girls has been lowering and the sex ratio is not at all stable. Surprisingly even in the case of economic affluence and availability of medical facilities, the percentage of women is less than men. This certainly means that craze for having a son and therefore striving for a son is not at all a passed but very much a present reality.

Sonography is beneficial but it should be used for proper reasons.

1] If an experienced doctor does sonography then the diagnosis can be proper or perfect. But unfortunately there are sonography centers in small villages or district places where untrained, unqualified professionals diagnose the case on a very superficial level.

2] Since abortion is legal in India female foeticide is done on a very large scale.

3] The proportion between registered sonographists and the number of sonograhpy machines is inverse. It is very obvious that many untrained persons learned the technique only at a superficial level and determine the sex of the foetus and foeticide takes place based on this diagnosis. Another fact related to this become evident that illegal sonography centers and the companies which sell these machines have formed a large racket. As a result of this, women have to suffer in this way :-

1. Frequent abortions lead to deterioration of health.
2. Frequent abortions affect women psychologically.
3. Mental tension causes difficulty in delivery.
4. Frequent abortions cause economic burden for the family as abortion is costly. This affects the families mental health.
5. Frequent abortions cause illhealth and tend to be the means of death also.

It is, therefore, a doctor's duty to make women understand the seriousness of these effects. If a women has to maintain her health and a family has to retain economic stability then abortion must be thought as something wrong as small family only can make possible the progress of all its members. Dr. Khanvilkar stresses that we have to be alert if we want to stop sex determination and foeticide. A woman has a right over her body. So she should protest against abortion. It is necessary that woman becomes powerful and asserts her opinions strongly. Responsible doctors, knowledgeable citizens and social institutions or NGOs should make efforts to stop foeticide. For this mission, government, police and judiciary should also cooperate.

Child's health should be given importance instead of thinking about whether it is a girl or a boy.

Female Foeticide and the tale of 21st century Droupadi
Dr. Nishigandha Mogal

The census report of 2001 shows that there are 927 women after each thousand of men. In Maharashtra the no of women is only 922. This data made me very restless. Half of the world population has to be women yet the no of women is reducing day by day and it has resulted into imbalance of every sort. One grieves to visualize the condition of women in future and it is a matter of serious worry.

Blind imitation of the west and the widely spread utilitarianism have led to the rampant increase in the no of bear bars, dance bars and sex workers in urban as well as rural areas. Besides these problems affecting the society, a tendency to be indifferent to the environmental or societal problems is also on the rise.

In a poor family, female foeticide takes place since it is impossible to bring up, educate the female child or it is very difficult to provide safety to the female child and pay for the amount of dowry in her marriage. In an affluent family a son is very much needed to run the family business and also to retain the enormous wealth with once own family only.
In fact, obviously, son's position as the light of the family is the sole responsible factor for the female foeticide. Actually during the last 5 or 6 decades, a lot of research has been done. Guaranteed remedies are available even for the most incurable disease. Mans life span is increased. In such a situation female foeticide seems to be the reason of the reducing number of women as compared to men.

In our country after each 10 years head count is done. Government officials visit each and every house and register the male and female members of the society. According to government statistics, 1901 the man women ratio was 1000 : 972, which has changed to 1000 : 927 in the last 100 years. Due to world wars and invasions by foreigners the number of men reduce and during 1947, the number of women was bigger than that of men or it was equal to the that of men. Besides, a small news in the Indian Express dated 26th September 2002 agonized me more than anything else : what was the news ? The news was : the ratio between a girl child and boy child between the age of 0 and 6 was surveyed in Pune, Satara, Kolhapur & Solapur Districts and it was found out that for every one thousand boys there were only 850 to 859 girls. This certainly means that the number of girls is going to be lesser and lesser by the year 2010. No prophet is needed to state that in the immediate future this grim and scary situation is to take a monstrous form.

In 1985, a group was established in order to oppose amniotic fluid test. Through the medium of this committee, a movement was initiated so that the government banned such a diagnosis of a foetus. As a result of the agitation, by this committee 1988, government introduce a law which prohibited amniotic fluid test for sex determination. This law also had a provision for punishment for the ones who broke the law. However in the so called modern Maharashtra, this law was introduced in 1994.

Our country is cursed with a tendency to break laws. Very excellent and effective laws are introduce but later on effective implementation of these laws does not take place as the selfish motives of the guardians of law and compliance of law makers and the antisocial elements make it a difficult task. And then any desirable law turns into something meaningless. The same thing was experienced in the case of this law. The number of sonography centers has been increasing rapidly not only in cities but also in towns. In the absence of any moral control upon the law breakers, this diagnosis is made in not only private but also in government hospitals, sometimes secretively or sometimes openly. Advertisements of government - recognized abortion centers are seen every where and to save five lakhs in the future, it is advised that one should spend Rs.5000/- for abortion, if the foetus is a female one. A girl's education is a waste, she will go to her in-law's house and then how come she is useful ? What's the use of educating her ? These are the questions asked by the girl's parents. Besides parents kill female foetus, since they will have to pay dowry or they feel that in the present social condition a girl will be exploited oppressed. This fear and the feeling of insecurity is the main reason for their behaviour.

Today, in various ways, women are becoming victims of provoked lust of men as they are exposed to extreme expression of sex-drive, advertisements of medicine industries entertaining pornographic desires and also the provocative programs on various channels. Then what will be the state of affairs when children who are six or seven years old today become youth. Imagining such a situation is a nightmarish experience because women will be a scarcity if there are 150 women less after each 1000 men. In 2001, in Sangli, Satara, Beed, Solapur, Kolhapur and Aurangabad districts have reported the existence of 900 girls after each 1000 men. However, only in Mumbai, the number of women has reduced to 898 from 942. This is a matter of serious concern. This number will show a major reduction after 20 years. But in Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarath, Himachal Pradesh & Jammu Kashmir this number is only 793 to 878 only. In Rajasthan, there are some places were no girl exists. The present situation itself is causing violence against women. Compared to other parts of India, the situation in South is better as the number of women there is 948. The number of women is very small and the cases of female foeticide are rampant not only in India but also in China, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, East Asia and Egypt. But America is an exception to this. There are 105 woman after each 100 men. At world level, the rate is 98 per 100 and in Europe it is 95 to 97 per 100, i.e. the number of women is almost equal to the number of men. Some conclusions can be drawn based on this information : (1) The proportion of women is comparatively higher in educated areas. (2) Female foeticides take place more rich or affluent families not only in India but in all other countries.(3) The percentage of abortions is more in big cities. (4) The number of abortions has been increasing with the increasing number of sonography centers. (5) The number of girls between 0 and 6 years of age is much more in an inaccessible, illiterate & poverty-stricken area like Gadchiroli.

My thoughts continued and it bothered me to think about the future of our society after 20 years from now. Today itself a mere refusal from a girl results into her unhesitant murdered or making her look ugly by throwing acid or at times, she is raped and left to bear death throughout her life. A bride is burnt if she does not bring the amount of dowry or does not cater to the various demands on the parts of the family of her in-laws. Man has become so lusty that even a female child is raped by relatives in the same villages, gundas or even teachers. This is done in rural areas as well as in the interior parts of the country. Of course, we have been reading about such incidents.

What will be the condition after 20 years ? This is the only thought that has been troubling me :- (1) Parents of a female child will have to guard there child as if she were a precious thing (2) There will be a separate / distinct police system for women (3) A new problem will arise and it will be taking dowry from men & their dowry deaths will take place if dowry is not paid. (4) Many men will have to remain bachelors due to his situation (5) The customs regarding arranging the marriage will be revised. (6) They will be female dominated instead of the previously male dominated ones. (7) Droupadi had to be a wife of five husbands. After 20 years, one may see such Droupadies in every village.

The issue is very serious and only presenting it before the readers will not be sufficient to solve the problem. Of course doctor Vimal Mundada took concrete decisions regarding the relative law as soon as she shouldered the responsibility of the health ministry. In 2002, she got the amended amniotic fluid test prohibition bill passed and included new sections in it :- (1) Advertisements regarding this test and abortion were banned. (2) Only registered institutions were allowed to conduct this test and the purchase of ultrasonograhpy machines was prohibited in the absence of registration. (3) Registration was made mandatory for retailers who wished to sell these machines. (4) It was made compulsory for sonography centers to give detailed information and in order to control illegal sex-determination a particular software was established at 28565 ultrasound centers. (5) It was made essential that sonologists before conducting the test of a pregnant woman has to feel in the ' M form and submit it to the government. ' (6) Besides, as mentioned earlier, this law does include all the necessary reasons for the test.

It seems that the mission of social awareness or education in this regard was done only at a superficial level just to create government reports. Either the plans or programmes at the government level do not reach the people or fake papers reports are produced by those who have been given concerned responsibilities. It is quite possible that people do not understand the seriousness of the matter or the antisocial elements exploit people's ignorance to there own advantage. Many a time, society or the government is misguided as these jobs are done in return of a meager amount of money. This has to be stopped immediately. The implementation of law should be a reality so that the anti-socials and criminals are punished. To achieve this result social awareness and people's education regarding the issue seem to be the only effective remedies to the problem. This measure must be implemented vigorously, collectively and ceaselessly on individual as well as institutional levels.

Violence within the family and participation of women in decision making

Awards and Commendable Work
Snehal More

Award - Kiran Desai gets Booker Award - Booker, the prestigious award in the field of literature was conferred upon Kiran Desai, an Indian living in America, for her novel Inheritance of Loss. She is the youngest author who has received 50000 pounds as the prize money.

Powerful Woman - The CEO of Pepsico, MS Indra Nuyi has been declared by Fortune to be the most powerful business woman of the world. The list also includes the technical officer of Motorola, Padmashree Warior, again in Indian.

This ranking is done on the basis of the share of the business in the world economy, the importance of quality of the business as well as the concerned women's career and their effectiveness in the socio-cultural field. This ranking also includes the president of Boycon, Kiran Muzumdar - Shaw, Naina Kidwai (HSBC) and Chanda Kochar (ICICI).

Tejaswini Sawant - Tejaswini Sawant and Awanit Kour Siddhu won gold medal in shooting in the Commonwealth Games held in Melbourne. Since 1999, Tejaswini got her training under the guidance of Jaysingrao Kusale. Within a very short period, she won medals at National and International Levels.

Sunita Williams - A girl of Indian origin, living in America, Sunita Williams has been selected by NASA for space travel and she is to live in the space for 6 months. Sunita was borne on 19th September 1965 in Ohio in America. She was inspired by Neil Armstrong, the first man to land on the moon. Sunita has flown for 2770 hours by 30 various aircrafts. As the flight engineer in the space programme for 6 months, she is to stay in odd conditions and 0 gravity areas.

Lt. Smita Gaikwad - The woman officer of Military Engineering covered the 250 Sea-miles distance (Bombay to Goa) in just 2 yachts. The 9 officers courageously fought against the adverse natural conditions for 100 hrs. and completed the voyage without any facilities except the mast.

Dr.Chitra Bharucha - Dr. Chitra Bharucha was borne in Madurai in Tamilnadu. After completing his MBBS in Madurai itself, for 20 years, she worked in Northern Island Blood Transfusion in Britain. In spite of belonging to the medical field, she was the member of Independent Television Commission. She was selected to be the president of BBC due to her knowledge regarding media, their rules and regulations, news papers, commerce, competition and economic aspect of all these. BBC is a prestigious and reliable organization which has a turnover of 4 million dollars and 26000 employees. One certainly feels proud to have an Indian as President such an institution.

Girija Devi - An illiterate woman, Girija Devi from Bhirkhiya Chipulia from Bihar fought against wine. She was the member of the Panchayat who not only banned wine shops but also established ' Mushar Vikas Manch ' in 125 villages. Girija Devi is to present a paper regarding her fight against wine. This paper will be presented in a conference in women empowerment section of the UNO.

Mayung Sok - Han Mayung Sok has been elected the first woman prime minister of South Korea. For the last 30 years, she has undertaken the cause of women's rights, environment conservation and protection of democracy.

Mayadevi Sorate - M.S. Mayadevi Sorate was elected the member of Grampanchayat of Chakur in Latur dist. She took special efforts to make women's committees work effectively and actively. She bore the expenses of girls' education for prohibiting girl dropouts. She started self help groups and also made attempts for the access of dalits in various temples. She worked for women's literacy as well as trained them to voice their opinions and gave them opportunity to do so. Her mission got recognition at the international level and she got the opportunity to participate in the 50th women's status conference organized by UNO in New York. She will be presenting a paper on the present position of women's participation in local self governing bodies.

Kiranjeet Kour Matharu - Kiran, a girl of Indian origin who lives in Britain was attracted to golf, since her childhood. She won various tournaments even when she was just an amateur player. She set many records like Plus 4 handicap. She is number one professional golf player or Britain.

Anita Kushvaha becomes successful industrialist - Anita's parents had arranged her marriage when she was just a child. She refused to marry and also strived for something that women could not do or that which women were not supposed to do. She chose honey collection as her business. She started with 2 bottles but now she manages 100 beehives. She saves Rs.1 Lakh every year. UNICEF has selected her to be an Ideal girl. In spite of her birth in a backward family, Anita has become an ideal daughter who offered economic stability to her family through her business while continuing her studies on her own.

Registration of marriage for social health
Neelakshi Godbole

On 14th Feb 2006, the bench consisting of Justice Arijeet Pasayat and Justice H. Kapadia implemented the very important Marriage Registration Act. According to this act, it is compulsory for the person of any caste, creed or religion to register marriage. The law which is applicable all over India has two expected results. (1) Safeguarding women's rights and their security and abolishing women's exploitation. (2) This should result regarding women of all castes, creeds or religions so that it will result into a step ahead of Saman Nagari Kayada ( Common Civil Code ).

Considering the changing social structure, women should get more and more safety. The decision of registering any marriage is certainly commendable as it will stop women's deception when getting married and raise their status. It is observed that in the absence of such a law, women's exploitation has proved to be easy.

The law has made the registration of marriage compulsory all over the country and irrespective of the persons cast, creed or religion. It is necessary that within the first 3 months of marriage, marriage should be registered. This law is directed towards registration and concerned matters. The law does not aim at interfering with personal law. All marriages will take place according to the traditions and customs of relative religions. Resultantly, there is no question regarding apposing the act or protesting against the act.

Once the possibility of opposition to any law on the basis of religion which is a part of social reality, is abolished, men and women will be willing to understand the benefits of the same.

Benefits of Registration of Marriage :

1] This law will prevent child marriage as age has to be mentioned while registering a marriage. [2] Deception and sell of girls under the pretext of marriage will be controlled. [3] It will not be possible to compel a girl to marry without her consent. [4] This law will enable the implementation of law against bigamy. It will not be possible to have 2 marriages due to his registration. [5] The law demands that everything which is given to the bride has to be registered at the local police station and registrar, marriage registration office. As a result of this, after the death of the husband, a woman's right to her husband's property will be intact. [6] A marriage can be declared invalid and a woman's economic right in case of divorce also shall be preserved. [7] Difficulties or problems in case of divorce will be reduced. [8] A bill concerning HIV is to be passed and it also includes compulsory registration of marriage.

A woman's wellbeing is to be sought due to these points in the law. This law was applicable to Maharashtra, Gujarat, Himachal, Karnataka and Goa but its effective implementation was not a reality.

Passport, pension, women's appeal for income, divorce and changing the name of a working woman were the reasons for registering a marriage but every marriage was not registered. In cities, in spite of literacy, due to careless and in rural areas, due to illiteracy, ignorance the percentage of registration was low. Today also there is no change in it. Therefore, it is necessary to implement this new law effectively.

Registration of marriage is mandatory in Christian and Parsi Societies. Muslims also have such a tradition since long. But these matters form a part of religious law. Marriage takes place before Kazi. It is registered after seeking the signatures of the concerned people. However, if marriage registration is a legal demand, then divorce, second marriage and problems like these will be reduced.

The most crucial question before a Muslim woman is divorce and survival after divorce and a single man marrying many women. Marriage registration is necessary to solve this problem. The well being of Muslim women lies in registration of marriage.

By law, it is compulsory for all Indians to register marriage. So, it is compulsory also for Muslims. This is to benefit the Muslim woman. Muslim thinkers have welcomed the decision and have put forward certain points to make us think.

(1) On the basis of Sheriyat, Muslims are allowed to have four wives only if the first wife permits. Many men marry without this consent due to registration of marriage, it will not be possible for men to marry second time by deception and it will also be known how many men have married second time. (2) A Muslim man is reluctant while paying meher after divorce or Kazis also misappropriate the amount. But as this amount is registered while registering the marriage, it will certainly avoid deception or cheating of women. (3) It will become compulsory to pay the compensation of the Iddat in the span of 3 months and 10 days after divorce. Women can insist upon such a payment on the basis of law. This view was expressed in Panchjanya by the Muslim leader Muzaffar Hussain.

Solace for NRI women due to Marriage Registration Act

In 2006, the Human Rights Commission and Foreign Embassy published a booklet regarding marriage registration. It contents the directives also and it was specifically published for NRIs and PIOS. This booklet contains various remedies for the Indian girls who realize their deception when they go to a foreign country after their marriage. These girls also face economic, psychological and physical oppression.

In order to safeguard their interests, the court has suggested legal majors which have these major provisions : (1) The court in any other country is not entitled to deny or cancel the marriage of NRI man and Indian woman which has taken place in India. (2) The act has a provision to provide economic right to women on the basis of her husband's wealth. (3) The result given by the Indian Courts will be binding on courts in foreign. For this, amiable relationship with other countries will be certainly useful. This can be brought into practice according to the Civil Procedure Code section 4 A.

All the women's organizations, voluntary organizations of NRI and PIOS have welcomed the law which maintains the social health or order by strengthening the institution of marriage.

This law which provides equal rights to all Indian women should be immediately and compulsorily implemented. For this, the procedure of registration of marriage should be made more and more simpler. Besides the urban population, social organizations, women's organizations and government should create awareness among rural population also. This is compulsory like the registration of birth and death. This only will lead to the prohibition of women's exploitation or oppression and they will gain their just rights.
Laws like this one are useful for equality before law and creation of a society which preserves the rights of all. This law is a landmark in the process of offering rights to women by stopping their oppression.

How is a marriage registered ?

A marriage can be registered under the Bombay Marriage Act. A certificate by priest, father or a Kazi has to be submitted. Husband and Wife's full name, residential address have to be mentioned and a proof regarding residential address has to be submitted. These forms are available in a weeding hall also. If the marriage registrar's office has been informed one month prior to the weeding, then the officers register the marriage in the wedding hall itself. This facilitates marriage and its registration. It is our duty to shoulder this beneficial responsibility since we are the aware and educated citizens.

Indian women are politically more empowered than the women in America

According to the World Economic Forum Report, Indian women are politically empowered on a large scale than the women in the developed countries like America, Japan, France. However, in spite of the empowerment of Indian women, there participation in the fields like the economic, health and higher education is pathetic and India stands at a very low position as compared to other countries.

In the survey of 115 countries, India stands at the 20th position regarding participation in the political field and the important posts held in this field. Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland are at the top position and Saudi Arabia and Yemen are at the last position.

According to this report, no country has been able to eradicate sex based disparity. If one considers how many women in a particular country have become financially able then among 115 countries India is at the 110 position.

If health is concerned then women from Norway & Sweden and especially pregnant women have benefited with good facilities. This includes salaried, maternity leave, death rate and the available best medical service at the time of delivery.

Significant Decisions
Ranjana Khare

Government to implement the law effectively in order to prohibit child marriage - In India, due to poverty and social traditions, Girls are married at a very early age. According to the 2001 census report, 3 lakh girls below 15 years have become the mothers of 1 child. 35 % women have married within the age between 15 and 18. However the Child Marriage Prohibition Act has a provision to allow the girl to break the marriage or even not to be labeled as a divorcee if the girl is below 10 years of age and does not approve of the same.

According to this law, it is mandatory for the priest to know whether the bride and bridegroom are major or not and if he performs the rites of minor's marriage, then, he will be sentenced to imprisonment for 2 years and fined Rs.1 Lakh. Also the relatives, parents and friends who are present for the ceremony can also be punished.

Facilities : Government of Hariyana has declared 2006 to be the year for girls - (1) If a second daughter is born then for consecutive five years, the government will invest Rs.5,000/- in Kisan Vikas Patra in the name of the daughter & resultantly, at her age of 18, her parents will get a sum of Rs.86,927/-. (2) Couples having only daughters will get after their 55 years of age Rs.300/- monthly under the Ladli Security Scheme. (3) S.C. parents will get Rs.500/- under the Indira Gandhi Priyadarshani Vivah Shagun Scheme at the time of their daughter's marriage. Widows below poverty line will also be benefited by this. (4) 2 % discount will be given on the registration of property. (5) 33 % reservation will be provided for the post of school teachers. (6) In ITI and Technical Institutions also there will be 25 % reservation for girls. The topper girls in MBA, MCA, IIT and Engineering will get Rs.5,100/-. (7) There will be 33 % reservation in buildings built by housing board. (8) Electric Bill in the name of a woman will get 10 paisa discount per unit. (9) There will be special discount in bus pass.

Only woman not responsible in extra-marital relationships : decides National Commission for Women - a woman involved in extra marital relationship can not only be held responsible or declared guilty. According to the law, she will be treated as a victim. The national commission for women rejected the provision that even women should be charged guilty in matters regarding extra-marital relationship. The commission has also recommended that extra-marital relationship should not be treated as criminal offence. However it should be interpreted as a social ill. Of course, the commission has stated that this should be implemented only after seeking the approval all over the country. A woman who has extra-marital relationship is also a particular kind of oppressed person and therefore only an action should be taken against her as per the section.

The commission has also recommended that CPC sec 198 (2) should be amended. Resultantly, a wife will get right to take legal action against her husband who follows extra-marital relationship. Other section of this law enables the woman to sue her husband to the court. So the same section should not be employed to declare her non-eligibility.

Women's safety bill in Pakistan : Islamabad - President Parvez Musharff has passed the bill ( protection of women ) which was prepared for the protection of the rights of women in Pakistan, which proved to be controversial and which under the section 75 was passed in both the houses. Dr. Niyaj has justified this bill. The women's protection act has been implemented all over the country. It will be the same all over the country including border areas. There will not be any discretion. There will be more laws for the welfare and protection of women. The prime minister has also announced that the reservation for women in Gov. Sector will be increased from the previous 5 % to 10 %.

PMC to provide medical protection to women from self-help groups - PMC will help by giving Rs.50,000/- to any women from self help group in Pune if she has a serious disease. Besides, economic investment will be done in the name of the daughter of the member who undergoes a family - planning operation.

In Pune City there are 70000 women members of the 5000 self help groups. Most of these women are from economically backward class and if they fall prey to any sickness like T.B., Cancer or Heart attack or any ailment of uterus, they are not able to afford the expenses of the medication. So PMC is to help them. For them, the present budget has a provision of Rs.25,00,000/-. Treatment will be given in CHS Hospitals. However, the self help group should be in the PMC area. It must be registered under the City Improvement Plan. The group must have completed two years from its formation. In addition to this, it should function regularly. Women only from such groups will be benefited by this programme.

In order to boost up family planning the women from self help groups will be given help by the PMC. The PMC will invest Rs.10,000/- in the name of the girl child if the women undergoes family planning surgery.

If the women does this after the birth of 2 girls, Rs.5,000/- will be invested in the name of each child. When the girls complete 18 years, they are to get the money. In order to do this, the present budget will have the provision of Rs.10,00,000/-. This proposal has been passed unanimously in the Standing Committee Meeting. The chairman of the committee, Jayant Bhokare informed the press.

Special facilities for HIV / Aids patients (Gujarath) - labours migrate on a very large scale from Orissa to Gujarath in search of work. The % of Aids is increasing in such labours. To solve this problem, Gujarath Government's, Gujarath State Aids safety committee has started working all over the state. The migrated workers stay away for many months from their home or family. They have to stay at inconvenient places and this results into the increased in the % of homosexuality. The problems of hygiene rise. So, in the major cities of Gujarath, The facilities web camera and internet are available so that the worker can be in touch with his family. In addition to this, in order to create awareness regarding health CDs and booklets are available in oriya language. A lot of voluntary social organizations have been established. These organizations have the contact numbers of the doctors who can deal with the problem of Aids. Entertainment centers have also been established so that the workers are not attracted towards dance bars.

Shyia women get the right to Divorce - In November 2006, All India Shiya Personnel Law Boards implemented the 'Ideal Nikahnama' which offered shiya woman the right to divorce her husband. A marriage is to be treated as a legal contract and comes under the jurisdiction and judgment by court.

A woman willing to work or study after her marriage, cannot be prohibited from doing so. If a shiya woman finds it difficult to follow the bond of marriage then for divorce she is allowed to access religious leaders. She can plead to Moulvi - Mulla for divorce.

The ambassadors of Aiyatulla from Iran and Iraq who function in India can realize divorce. Of course, this procedure is lengthy.

Before Nikah itself the declaration has to be signed. In this, the bride has been offered economic as well as social status.

If the husband does not follow the written promises, if the contents of the declaration are false or misguiding and if the wife is deprived of her well being or right to education then she can plead for her divorce.

If the husband absconding for 2 or more years, if he is not in touch with his wife, does not care for her, does not cater to her necessities, if he compels her to have sexual relationship with other men, she can plead for her divorce.

Protection against domestic violence - This bill was passed in 2005 by both the houses and the concerned act was implemented since 27th October 2006. The act sought freedom for women from torture or violence may it be physical, sexual, verbal or psychological.

19705 school girls from UP have established Meena Manch and have undertaken the task of social awareness. The organization works in order to prevent child marriage. Besides necessity of polio doses, persuading more and more children to primary education and working for cleanliness are also other tasks.

In Pune, Chaitnya Mahila Mandal from Budhwar Peth, has started a unique crèche. This is a crèche which is run during night for the children of the sex workers from red light area. This profession affects the children and they are led to crime. This organization has been working for a year to save the children from this situation.

The Oxford University College which was run for 113 years for women only has opened its doors for men also. The director board, under the leadership of St. Hilka unanimously decided to admit male students. This was the only college in London where students, fellows, professors or guides all were women only.

Due to the insistence from Indians, America started a school only for girls. There were 90000 schools but not a single of them was exclusively for girls. Mr. Raju Natrajan, who has settled down in Seatal contacted the founder of the National Association for Single Sex, public education, Dr. Geonie Sax and came to know that in America, in only 6 schools have classrooms specially for girls.

The percentage of heart disease among women is more than that among men. Every year, 267000 women die of heart disease. A woman's heart disease becomes problematic especially when she pregnant. Women who smoke, have diabetes or take contraceptive pills are likely to have high BP. Compared to men, the muscles of women's heart are weak. The high or low percentage of estrogen in women's body may lead to a heart disease.

The eastern part of Godavari District is a hilly area and has a deep forest. The adivasi women have decided to produce electricity from the water falls in these areas. They are going to sell it to the straight electricity board. These neglected, poverty stricken women have progressed on the basis of self help groups.

Bagalcoat in Karnataka has a very high percentage of Aid's patients. Karnataka health promotion trust and ICHAP are the two institutes which have undertaken a project to create Aids free society in order to solve the problem. As a result of backwardness, lack of medical facilities migrated labour a large number of devdasies and truck drivers in the 611 villages of Bagalcoat Dist the percentage of HIV positive patients was phenomenal. To seek the solution to this problem, doctors, teachers, leaders and social organizations have come together and for the last four years have been working tirelessly in order to produce Aids - free villages. Devdasies from these areas have also helped in this work. They have been helping themselves by forming self help groups. The unique project will be a guiding one and an exemplary for the whole country to be free from aids.

The most important issue of worry today is aids. The percentage of aids is increasing in soldiers and it has been affecting their efficiency. Officers are demanding for the facility of sex education in order to save these soldiers.

In order to realize women's right to health, since 1975 International Women's Health Conference is organized. The 10th conference was organized in India. The following subjects were discussed. (1) The restructuring of public health section and consideration of women. (2) Women's rights regarding procreation and sexual health. (3) Policy regarding population. (4) Modern medical technology and women's rights. (5) Violence and women's hygiene.

Both the houses as well as the President have given their consent to the rights of the children bill.

4.5 to 5 lakh girls and boys between the age of 18 and 35 work in call centers and B.P.O.'s. Most of them have to work during night shifts. It is observed that, as a result of this, problems like migraine, loss or memory, getting irritated by colours, having diseases of years are becoming common among the youth. The percentage of smoking and alcoholism is also found to be very high.

Lasent, a medical journal from London has published a report that violence against woman is rampant in backward as well as advance countries. The inference was drawn on the basis of the interviews of 25000 women from 15 places all over the country. It was observed that the agent of physical and sexual violence was nobody else but the partner himself. The statistics states that 15 % women from Japan and 78 % women from the rural Ethiopia tolerate the violence.

300 families living in Andhra Pradesh on the waters of Godavari rarely come to the ground. Their whole life is spent on the boat itself. Donullus tribe lives on fishing. Under the education for all programme, A.P. Government has started a school in the boats themselves.

The secretary of economic planning department Montek sing Ahluwalia has suggested the provision of 30 % amount of government department budgets for women.

Since 1999, Kachh women's development organization has chosen the community radio for the sake of the rights of women from Kachh. This is the only available medium of entertainment in this area and therefore the organization decided to use this medium effectively. This certainly has led to social awakening. But in addition to it, certain things like the women's problems in Kachh, social problems and peoples expectations are also becoming evident. This radio station covers 15 lakh people from 950 villages.

Sharmila Irom has been on unending fast for a last four years to protest against the Armed Forces Special Power Act implemented in the North- East India. This law permits the army to kill any suspect terrorist. The innocent people have to suffer due to this. So, Irom is protesting against this.

Muslim Mufti (Kazi) from Australia stated that Muslim Women have to use hijab. He further said that a woman who does not cover her eyes is like meat kept in the open. If she were in Hijab, there would not be any problem. This statement has laid to a controversy in Australia. Besides the sex discrimination commissioner Gobard stated that absence of Hizab induces rape.

Netherland has prohibited the Muslim women from wearing parda. The decision is taken in order to protect people's safety or security.

Dance Bar : A Major Social Problem
Swati Lele

During 2005-06, banning dance bars became a controversial issue. There was a lot of discussion in news papers about it. The Home Minister of Maharashtra, R.R. Patil took a decision to ban the dance bars which proved to be dangerous for youth. This decision was appreciated from all strata of society but the people whose income was lost and those who were dependent on the dance bars for their survival sought the help of the court and achieved stay order on banning of the dance bars. It is necessary to study and analyze the various angles of the event which has longer lasting effects on society.

In the 90's due to globalization process there was substantial improvement in the fields of finance and stock market. On a large scale, people got money. With the economic progress, the adverse effects of the same could also be seen on a large scale. Dance bars which had begun in 80's increased rapidly in the next decade. Had their been any action taken against these bars by police, income tax department, Municipal Corporation or leaders, the picture would have been a different one. Dance bars were established to channelize black money. Since dance bar lobby became a resource for money to government system, political leaders and police departments, these systems or persons could not heart the lobby.

At present Mumbai has 600 dance bars, the number of these in small villages is above 650. Many of these are close to schools, colleges or temples also. More than 75000 women are involved in this profession. Security personnels, waitresses, attendance and the people working in the bar - thousands of them are dependent upon the money from this profession.

Youth from middle class as well as youth having easy money traders, agents, corrupt police officers, people coming to Bombay for business or trade and officers from big companies who come to Mumbai for official work and also foreign tourists are attracted to the night life in the bars go there. People turn to dance bars for entertainment irrespective of the way they earn their money, it may be through efforts or loan or it may be through illegal means. The government gets approximately Rs.1500 crores in the form of tax through this business. Ms.Sucheta Dalal has argued in an article in Loksatta that nobody else but the excise department of the State Government is responsible for the no of dance bars.

Many of these dance bars do not only remain centers of entertainment but become centers of prostitution or they are used as pick up points. The girls, working in the bars are between age group of 14-15 and 25-30. Many of them have come their through deception or betrayal or for some of them the retreat is not at all possible.

Many of these have come due to poverty unemployment or because they have the responsibility of the family. Some of these have been compelled to carry on this profession by tradition. Many young educated girls are being attracted to this glamorous profession which gives easy money also.

Due to dance bars, the young generation became addicted to alcohol and drugs. The dire consequences of addiction, immoral relationships, illegal profession to gain money for addiction and crime were easily seen. Diseases like Aids spread very fast. It is then that social reformers and leaders took serious note of this problem.

However by this time many families have already been severely affected. Mr. R.R. Patil declared the bank on 30th August 2005. This was followed by discussions in the parliament. The opposition parties also supported the party in power and the bill regarding the ban was passed. Nevertheless, this led to chaos in society. Through the court, the dance bar owners and girls sought stay on the order. The court cancelled the order on the basis of the issue of equality. The court ordered the stay on the basis of the major section of the constitution stating that everybody has a right to income and therefore, dance bars cannot be banned.
An important decision was taken stating that dance and bars will exist separately. The court opines that the separation between the loss of mental control due to alcohol and erotic dance will result into controlling misbehaviour on the part of the youth.
Resultantly, dance bars were not to be banned. Serving alcohol is a part of the section regarding hospitality. This does not include exposing body of a woman but only allows the service regarding provision of drinks.
So ladies bars were given a permission. It is mandatory for the owner of the bar to protect the waitresses but can the woman be safe at such a place were men loose their control due to excess of alcohol.

Section 14 of the constitution provides citizens the rights to equality. As a result of this, it is presumed that the state should treat 5 star hotels, dance bars, clubs and gyms equally. The state prohibited dance in bars but it did not do so with the 5 star or 3 star hotels, clubs or gyms. So this was the breach or rejection of the principle of equality.

However, the most important issue is the question of those who exploit or take this advantage of the helplessness of women. Women have to sell their body or beauty in order to earn a living. Womanhood is disgraced by this. The media, influenced by the new economic policies passes on the message that increase your needs and fulfill them at any cost and that itself is life.

What after the ban on dance bars? - Maharashtra is making efforts to ban dance bars but the bill regarding whether to permit prostitution or not since the government wants to control aids, is also under consideration.

The State Government has appealed to the Supreme Court. In spite of the fact that the High Court cancelled the ban taking into consideration the oppression and exploitation of women and also the larger social interest.

Before the ban the dance bars were not only the centers of drunkards but they were the centers of achieving socio-economic superiority. The owners of the bars had become very powerful and did not pay any heed to law. The government understood this and now the government exercises better control.

Police Officers, employees used to make attempts to get transferred to such areas and this was resulting in corruption.

The number of accidents on the express highway has reduced. Between Jan and August 2005, the number of fatal accidents was 4 to 4 which included 62 causalities and 66 injured, 46 serious accidents, 104 minor ones but between September 2006 to February 2006 the number of fatal accidents was 180 which included 31 causalities, 18 injured, 25 dead in serious accidents, 52 injured and 54 minor accidents. This is the statistics given by Highway Police.

The accidents which used to take place due to drunkards driving their vehicles rashly also reduced.

The people who lived in the buildings in which the bar existed or lived in nearby areas, developed a filling of security due to the ban.

The decision of the ban is very complex and it leads to various questions :

[1] Whether a bar girl has an opportunity for employment if she wished to quit
this profession ? [2] Whether the government will provide education, shelter or means of survival for the children of the girls so that the children need not continue their mother's profession ? The government does not have concrete majors to solve this problem [3] Whether the government is going to increase the opportunity for employment or education in the areas from which the girls are brought to the city ? [4] Can the government resists the unemployed women from coming to the cities if it cannot give such an opportunity ? [5] Traditional professions have lost their place in the new social structure and the new social structure does not contain such education that will absorb the people who practiced traditional professions.

There are the various angles of the issue of the bar girls socio economically backward girls for whom new means of survival are not available, dancing with the bar seems to be better than prostitution. They perceive it as a upward mobility.

The compulsion of the market is such that one has to sell or bank upon whatever one has and survive. This formula is accepted unawares.

There are 2 opinions regarding the protest dance bars : The first opinion which is based on morality states that nobody should practice immoral behaviour and everybody should follow that which is respected by the society.

The second opinion which asserts the need for social development states that everybody has a right to employment and the right to choose his or her profession. If a person chooses to work in a bar it is nothing but the exercise of the person's right. Everybody has a right over his body and the individual has a freedom to use it the way he or she wants to use it.

The how come government or society object ? This is an important question.

It is a matter of research to study the present condition of the unemployed bar girls. Many of these will take recourse to prostitution. This will certainly result into serious social and health problems. Many of these girls have admitted their children in expensive schools but now they cannot afford the same. Out of the 80 % women bar employees, the children 30 % are not able to join a school. Some of these bar girls have migrated to other states. Especially, they preferred to go to tourist places like Goa as well as countries like Dubai or Gulf Countries.

One survey brought out that the women who have left the bar are despised by the society. If they begin with a new work or job, even the customer or police ill-treat them. While working as a waitress, male customers ill-treat them or even they take liberty with them. At work places also, they have given a bad treatment. The present number of prostitutes in India is depressing. There are 40 lakhs prostitutes in India and 35 % of them belong to the age between 12 and 15. This statistics was published by national woman and child welfare committee.

This problem is very serious. One does not feel that dance bars should be there but the result of the ban is also horrifying and has new serious problems accompanying it. The route of the problem must be reached. We will have to work step by step starting from ban on alcohol consumption, employment generation, moral education and the male mind set. The government and voluntary organization will have to work jointly. Political will is also essential. Banning dance bars is only an easy and superficial solution.

Only 15 % women in total employment : Though women work equally with men, their percentage is low i.e. only 14.7 %. 44 Lac women work in public sector as well as private industry. 1,18,000 are labourers. 17,34,000 are women workers.

Indian Military and Women
Asha Bapat

Sushmita Chakravati an officer in the Indian Army committed suicide on 15th Jan 2006. Sushmita was very much disappointed to see that there was disparity between what she had learnt and what she had to do as an officer in military. She committed suicide due to this frustration. After this, there began a discussion whether women should be employed in military. Moreover, the army general Mr. Pattabhiraman's statement that army can survive without women added a lot of different angles to the discussion. Against this background, the Central Home Minister, Mr. Pranav Mukherji presented a very positive view regarding having women in the military. He also explained that women will be motivated to join military and they will be provided various facilities and creation of favorable conditions will be given emphasis. Military has undertaken a study in order to employ women in military as well as to create proper atmosphere. AFMC has studied and given a proof that regarding the work in military, women and men have been working with equal efficiency.

The Air Force is studying. So that they are able to change the design of the fighter crafts. There was a lot of discussion in the newspapers and special articles regarding the subject.

The following statistics shows the % of women in military.

Indian Army
34000 Officers
933 women officers
2.7 %

Navy - Total 7000 officers
100 women officers
1.4 %

Air Force
Total 10200 officers
400 women officers
4.4 %.

At present women get employment in the military through short service commission and are allowed to work only for 14 years. They are not able to reach the position of Major. In Indian Army, women are allowed to work only in non combatant wings which means that they have to work in the departments which are not directly concerned with war. The departments include the engineering, ordnance, intelligence, communication, medical, education, law, logistics and air traffic control depts. Women are not appointed for Tanks, Weapons, Submarines or fighter ships.

In his article, Rajveer Williams has discussed whether women should enter this field. The decision to employ women in military services was taken before 13 years it self by an able board of officers. So, according to Williams, it need not be examined again. The board has then only taken in to consideration the status and position of women and the over all Indian perspective regarding women.

Women's Physical & Psychological condition should be examined before employing them in the military. According to Williams, work other than actually fighting in the war is also equally important because most of this work is a team work. Women can be employed in various wings so that conducive conditions for fighting and winning a war can be created. These departments may include communication, intelligence, medicine and psychological operation. Military training should be given to men and women simultaneously and jointly. This will change the atmosphere at work place. Even reservations and objections regarding women will reduce. Williams asserts the necessity to change the mindset.

Most of the countries including India seem not to be very enthusiastic in sending women to fight directly. Of course, the major reason for this is the in human torture that they may have to face.

While considering the question as to why women are required in military, it became quite clear that the military itself reflected the direct picture of our society. If women are seen in all the fields of society, then why not in military ? Though it is necessary to change the perspective of men towards women, women agreed to respectable and friendly treatment meted out to them by some male officers. Women's complaints are basically regarding the less practice in training as compared to i.e. given to men and trivial jobs that women are given and also the male attitude. Women do not want discrimination in the treatment while training or actually working. They are ready stand shoulder to shoulder with men and they are also ready to put in hard work equally. Till today, women were admitted in the military through women's special army school. But now this facility is removed. Now they will have to enter military like their male colleagues through short service commission.

Military life is hard. Even men find it difficult to persevere then women of course, may find it more difficult to do so. Even men are not able to bear less slip, hard work, tiredness and mental vacuum. Men persevere with the help of each others company. However, women's case will be different. Being a women and an officer she has to follow the military discipline and cannot try to befriend soldiers and other officers. Some opine that this leads to more loneliness and it becomes difficult to adjust.

There is discrimination in the salary given to a male and a female officer working in the same authority or position. Women do not get pension after retirement and since their age is 36 after the service of 14 years, they are not eligible for government jobs. Men generally become security guards but women are not able to do it. After having observed this the demand to allow women to work in military for some more years, is increasing.

Men in military also have certain complaints against women's admission in military. Basically, in a patriarchal society, receiving orders from the female officer is a bit difficult. Besides, military has very less peace positions and if these are given to women then men will have less no of positions and this is injustice according to them.

Women officers were sent on fighter ship in the sea but due to practical and operational problems they were asked to come back. There is confusion regarding this problem all over the world. Women were employed in the Air Force since 1992. They work in helicopters and goods transport departments. Since 1993 America employed women in fighter aircrafts. Australia has decided to send women soldiers on missions due to scarcity of soldiers in military. Israil is one such country were women participate directly in war. Pakistan has more than 4000 women in military. Still this percentage is only 1%. Women began with medical services and they have also sought the position of paratroopers, jet pilots and now some of them have become Generals also. Recently 4 women have been employed as pilots in Air Force.

During the last few years girls from various cities of Maharashtra are making efforts to become military officers this year Madhura, Sneha and Tanmaya from Navi Mumbai and Thane have joined the Air Force. Vahida prism proved to be the first women officer in the history of Indian Military to lead march past. Anuja Varudkar, Aboli Deshpande, Suchitra Navale and Sumalata Nagraj from Pune have joined army. India felicitated Noor Inayat who fought against Nazis during the second world war. Her memorial has been erected near Paris.

In spite of all this the issue is controversial. The president of American social congress and the famous radical feminist Dr. Betty Friedan has raised a very different issue in her article. She has protested against women entering military and has asked ' should mothers be killers' ? According to her, the human culture began to develop since women stopped hunting in ancient times itself. Then family system came into existence. Should they again turn to hunting ? But in India women have been at the top positions since the age of Puranas and Vedas.

It will be apt to mention the following reference while discussing women's entry into the military field.
' Subhaschandra Bose ' opined that the Azad Hind Sena will remain incomplete if women do not join it.

Introduction to Some Inspiring Institutions

They also want to live happily : Bhagini Nivedita Pratisthan from Sangli has started a children's home for the children who are suffering from aids and are fighting against death. This is the first of its kind in Asia. At present there are 28 children. The government provides financial help for them. The institute provides education also. But such children need love. It is in our hands to bring happiness in the short lives of these children.

Nasim Sheikh - 9822013186 - 2373273.

Self confidence in spite of being HIV positive - Kousalya from a small village in Tamilnadu, who herself is an Aids patient has not collapsed psychologically and has been vigorously supporting women suffering from aids. Frustration does not touch her and she has formed Positive Women's Network for women like her. The institute has undertaken many programs like counseling for the aids patients, their medication, providing nutritious food, seeking justice for them and creating social awareness. She not only voices before UNO the grievances of the women suffering from aids but also before institutions in India as well as foreign countries and travels in other countries for the mission of controlling aids. Kausalya did her schooling only till 8th standard and became an aids patient due to her husband but her perseverance and her will to help others survive are certainly inspiring.

Efforts only for living with self respect - In the border areas of Maharashtra & Karnataka the percentage of Devdasies is very high. Dr. Bhimrao Gasti has been making efforts for the last 30 years so that these Devdasies develop themselves and get education in order to live independently. The institution Utthan which works for the resurrection of Devdasies, functions at Karve, Chandgad, Dist - Kolhapur. There are hostels and vocational training classes for enabling the Devdasies to live a normal life like other women and also enabling their children to live with self respect.

Gautamnagar - Gautamnagar in Chandrapur is a small residential area of 25 houses. Nobody was allowed to enter this village which has a criminal background and red light area. But Praveen Hivre, with the help of Maharashtra Aids Control Society brought about a sea change in the village. For the first time in the village, free information regarding HIV, condom and medical services are made available. Wine shops were closed. Prostitutes formed self-help groups due to the efforts made by the institute. The women in the society got employment and attempts to free them forever from prostitution are also made by Noble Education Society.