WHAT ARE THE EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS OF WOMEN?

Women have been facing discrimination in many forms since ancient times. It includes forcing them to do sati, depriving basic rights to education, not having equal decision-making powers like men, and always being the only caregiver of the family. With the passing of time and the up-gradation of society, the need to have a law protecting women and their basic rights was highly needed.

Every country has its constitution and offers basic fundamental rights to each citizen without discriminating against gender, race, religion, or place of birth. The constitution and the Indian Supreme court stand tall and strong as a guardian to every citizen. If a person- man, woman, child, transgender, etc. is denied any fundamental rights, they can at any time exercise their Right to constitutional remedies i.e., Article 32 of the Indian constitution. This right is the true essence of the constitution. It gives the freedom to the deprived citizen to directly approach the supreme court.

The land of India has been guided by the Constitution since 1950. Deriving sources from different countries’ constitutions, the Indian Constitution is an amalgamation of both rigid and flexible parts. The makers had kept in mind the socio-economic condition of the citizens back then in 1947. As the years passed, many articles came across amendments with the rising need of the hour. When it comes to women’s social status in India, it has seen many crests and troughs with time.

The Rig Vedic era was the one where both genders were at par, with time, the medieval era saw a fall in inequality for women and after independence, women could be seen in many top positions like president-ship, prime minister-ship, the speaker in Lok sabha, in the UNGA office, etc. Even though some women get a chance to take their places in the top office, many women face atrocities like rape, acid attack, molestation, etc. daily.

The condition of women in India has always been a concern. She is in threat from the womb to the tomb. The threat of foeticide when in the womb, the threat of getting abused – mentally, physically at any stage of life till she survives. For the past few years, women have been trying to fight for equal status but are unable to get on par with men; in society, in the workplace, etc.

INTERNATIONAL SCENARIO - The sustainable development goals (2015-2030) of the United Nations as an extension of the Millennial development goals. It focuses on 17 goals that cover almost all dimensions necessary and crucial to be looked at. Sustainable development goal number 4 focuses on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong opportunities for all by 2030. Here are a few targets under the sustainable development goals that the signatory nations can include while legislating –

•   The United Nations SDG targets that both genders complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education by 2030 for effective outcomes. A proper foundation while imparting education is a stepping stone for both genders.
•  Quality early childhood care, and development are necessary for both genders to prepare them for primary education.
•   The SDG 2030 targets to eliminate gender inequality in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable.
•   One of the most important targets in Goal number 4 of SDG 2030 is to achieve literacy and numeracy in both genders.
•   The united nations SDG 2030 is inspiring member nations to build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability, and gender-sensitive which provide a safe, inclusive, nonviolent, and effective learning environment for all.

Whenever a calamity occurs; natural or man-made, the residents of the place are forced to shift their abode, niche, area, etc. They commute from place to place in search of food, shelter, and work. In all this dismay, the women of the house suffer. Not only because of a change of place, food and shelter but also giving up her livelihood, education, etc. Women and girls are the first ones forced to drop education and livelihood in the family. Their education remains secondary in the priority list as their first priority becomes the sole role of the caregiver.

Social media, awareness, education, self-help groups, etc. have increased manifold over the past few years. This has introduced a whole new culture and needs to change the old school of thought where patriarchy and chauvinism existed. The number of dropouts from school especially girls has not decreased even though the world has entered the Industrial revolution 4.0. As per the reports from UNICEF, 129 million girls are out of school from different classes and the number is huge.

In India, the NGO named Pratham releases an Annual status of education report every year which includes gaps in the education system, innovation, and many more activities. Pratham walks hand-in-hand with the Right to education law prevailing in India. The law guarantees free and compulsory schooling to all children up to grade 8. Due to various reasons, many students drop out of school or discontinue their education. This event is more prominent among girls and young women in rural areas.

NATIONAL SCENARIO – Here are a few articles that the Indian constitution has included in it for establishing equality and educational rights for all, especially women and children –

•   Article 15 – there shall be no discrimination by state i.e., government-led bodies based on race, religion, caste, place of birth, or gender. Despite such measures, discrimination toward women is seen in the workplace. They tend to be not selected based on their physical limitation. The criteria for their rejection are baseless. When the constitution is offering equal rights to every citizen, there should be no discrimination on the above-mentioned grounds. If one faces such kind of discrimination, they can always report and take action against it. In the same article, subsection; the state can make laws in favor of women and children for their upliftment. Article 15(3) provides a provision for the state to create special laws for protecting the interests of women and children as and when required. If the state sees that there is any kind of discrimination occurring toward women and children, it can create special legislation for the same.
•    Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme – the scheme was launched back then in 2015 by the joint efforts of the Ministry of women and child development, the ministry of human resource development, and the ministry of health of the Government of India. It was launched because of the dire need of increasing sex-selective abortion and the declining child sex ratio. Now the scheme also looks forward to ensuring educational rights and protecting them with active girl child participation. The Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) has improved from 77.45 percent in 2015 to 81.32 percent in 2019 at the secondary level.
•   Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan – for more participation of girls and women, the government’s scheme encourages the appointment of women teachers, separate toilets for girls, and the opening of more schools.

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