Indian society is still largely male-dominated, and the real freedom for women
seems to be a myth. Though women constitute half the population, yet equal
opportunity and equal treatment are alien concepts even to a large number of
women in India. In this scenario, women often have to endure a climate of
condescension bordering on contempt and hostility. The Constitution of India did
well by declaring in its Preamble its desire to secure justice - social,
economic and political - and to secure equality of status and opportunity.
Several steps have been taken to ensure translation of these objectives into
reality by incorporating provisions ensuring equality of