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| Honored as Architects of the Nation, Denied Safety at Home | | | Lalit Gargg
For decades, Indian society has proclaimed its commitment to women’s empowerment. Women are described as the “other half of society” and equal partners in the nation’s development. Numerous policies and programs have been launched to enhance their participation in education, employment, politics, and leadership. Governments have repeatedly pledged to ensure greater representation of women, including reserving 33 percent of seats in legislative bodies. Society proudly celebrates women’s achievements across diverse fields. Yet, beneath these encouraging narratives lies a troubling reality that compels us to re-examine the true state of women’s empowerment in India.
Recently, the Supreme Court of India made a landmark observation by recognizing homemakers as “nation builders.” The Court acknowledged that the unpaid labor performed by women in managing households and caring for families possesses immense economic and social value and can no longer be ignored. At the same time, data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) reveal a disturbing truth: one in four women in rural India and one in six women in urban India experience some form of violence.This stark contrast exposes a profound contradiction. The woman who is hailed as a nation builder is often the same woman who lives under the shadow of insecurity, discrimination, and violence within her own home and society.
The Supreme Court’s recognition of homemakers marks a historic step toward acknowledging women’s unpaid labor. For generations, household work has been viewed merely as an extension of duty, affection, or sacrifice. Cleaning the home, preparing meals, raising children, caring for the elderly, maintaining family health and values, managing household affairs, and nurturing social relationships have all been considered a woman’s natural responsibility. As a result, this labor has rarely been measured in economic terms. In reality, if a family were to hire separate individuals to perform all the tasks undertaken by a homemaker, the financial burden would be substantial. Despite this, homemakers receive neither wages nor adequate social recognition. They work around the clock, every day of the year, without holidays, promotions, or retirement benefits.
Therefore, the Supreme Court’s assertion that homemakers contribute not only to their families but also to nation-building is far more than a legal observation—it is a transformative social message. In a motor accident compensation case, the Court suggested that the value of a homemaker’s services should be assessed at a minimum of ₹30,000 per month. This is not merely a judicial determination; it is a challenge to the longstanding mindset that undervalues domestic work. Indeed, the invisible labor of women forms the foundation of the economy. If unpaid domestic work were formally measured and incorporated into the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), India’s economic landscape would look remarkably different.
While the judiciary has acknowledged the immense contribution of homemakers, an equally important question remains unanswered: Are women receiving the dignity, security, and respect they deserve? Unfortunately, the answer remains far from satisfactory. According to NFHS data, violence against women continues to be a serious social challenge. Nearly 22 percent of married women between the ages of 18 and 49 have reported experiencing domestic violence during their married lives. This reality highlights a painful paradox. The woman whose labor sustains families and strengthens society often finds herself vulnerable to abuse within the very institutions she helps nurture. This situation persists despite the existence of numerous laws designed to protect women and widespread awareness campaigns promoting gender equality. A natural question arises: If legal protections exist, government schemes are in place, and women’s empowerment has become a national priority, why does violence against women continue unabated? Why do many women still struggle to feel completely safe—whether at home, in public spaces, or in the workplace?
The answer lies not merely in legislation but in social attitudes. A significant section of Indian society continues to be influenced by patriarchal thinking. Women are often celebrated as the backbone of the family, yet many are denied equal decision-making power and genuine autonomy. Families depend heavily on women’s labor, but frequently fail to accord it the respect it deserves. This mindset often manifests itself in domestic violence, economic exploitation, and social discrimination.
The dowry system remains one of the most glaring examples of this contradiction. Despite educational progress and economic advancement, dowry demands and related crimes continue to surface across the country. Cases of dowry harassment and dowry deaths repeatedly make national headlines. It is deeply ironic that parents who invest years in raising and educating their daughters are often compelled to bear an additional financial burden at the time of marriage. Such practices are not merely social evils; they represent a direct assault on women’s dignity and equality. Beyond dowry, women continue to face numerous other forms of violence and discrimination, including sexual assault, child marriage, human trafficking, witch-branding, and gender-based prejudice. These challenges are particularly acute in some rural and tribal regions, where superstition and social backwardness continue to fuel abuse. Such realities demonstrate that economic development alone cannot guarantee social progress. While India has advanced significantly in infrastructure, technology, and economic growth, the transformation of social consciousness has not kept pace.
Women’s empowerment cannot be confined to political representation or economic participation alone. True empowerment means dignity, safety, equal opportunity, and the freedom to make independent decisions. A woman who earns an income but suffers violence at home cannot be considered fully empowered. Likewise, political representation without social respect leaves empowerment incomplete. The time has come to adopt a multidimensional approach to women’s empowerment. Recognizing the economic value of domestic labor is important, but ensuring women’s safety and dignity is equally essential. Schools and families must cultivate values of gender equality from an early age. Men and boys must become active participants in this transformation. Lasting change cannot be achieved by educating women alone; society itself must change.
Particular attention must be given to rural areas by expanding educational opportunities, creating employment avenues, increasing legal awareness, and ensuring access to justice. Law enforcement agencies and administrative institutions must become more responsive and sensitive to women’s concerns. Effective implementation of laws is crucial to creating deterrence against offenders and ensuring justice for victims. At the same time, unpaid domestic labor must become an integral part of national economic discourse. Household work should no longer be viewed merely as a private responsibility but as a vital social and economic contribution. Such recognition would not only strengthen women’s self-esteem but also foster greater respect for their role within society.
The Supreme Court’s recognition of homemakers carries a powerful message: nation-building is not limited to Parliament, industry, the military, or public administration. The nurturing of families and the preservation of social values are equally fundamental to the strength of a nation—and women remain the principal architects of this process. However, if the very women who build families and shape future generations continue to face violence, discrimination, and insecurity, the dream of genuine nation-building will remain incomplete. The challenge before India today is not merely to calculate the economic value of women’s labor but to recognize the intrinsic value of women’s lives. A society that truly honors its homemakers as nation builders must ensure that they live not in fear, but in dignity; not in silence, but with a voice; not as victims, but as equal partners in shaping the future of the nation. |
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