International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
Omika Choudhary and Manoj Kumar Soyal

abstract
Persistent imbalance between men and women in all facets of society inevitably leads to discrimination based on gender. Discrimination against women varies in scope and intensity depending on contextual factors such culture, politics, ethnicity, location, country, and economy. But discrimination based on gender is seen as a major roadblock in progress, and it's been linked to violence against women. Therefore, policymakers around the world are focused on achieving gender equality because it boosts economic growth and ensures the development process can continue. In traditional patriarchal societies it is generally believed that women should remain confined to their families and under legal and customary subjection of their husbands or other male family members. During pre-Gandhian times gender inequality and gender violence were all pervasive. Women were regarded as the root cause of all evil and responsible for downfall of men. Women had a decidedly inferior status and were totally dependent on men. Women were confined to the family and remained under legal and customary subjection of their husbands or other male family members. Customs and practices like female infanticide, child marriage, purdah (veil), dowry, polygamy, sati, repeated pregnancies, permanent and pathetic widowhood, illiteracy, wife beating and verbal abuse made life of common women very hard. In such an atmosphere Gandhi gave a totally new perspective regarding gender equality and non violence. He not only opposed the harmful practices and encouraged regeneration of women but gave the ideal that women are not just equal and different but superior to men. The fact that the culturally entrenched practices of gender discrimination in the distribution of health care facilities is still in fashion, especially in metropolitan regions where access to health care services ought to be universal, highlights the darker side of this patriarchal culture. Gandhiji’s famous message almost six decades ago at the All India Women's Conference on December 23, 1936 was: "When woman, whom we call abala becomes sabala, all those who are helpless will become powerful".