Browsing by Subject "Women"

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Open Access
The Changing Status of Women in Modern Bhutan with Relation to Education (From 1914 to 2003 A.D.)
(University of North Bengal, 2016-03) Paul, Ratna
Till the middle of the last century Bhutan was isolated from the outside world and its social system was feudal. Historically, women were supposed to enjoy the same legal status as men, but after looking at the records and the practical aspects of women's lives we find that is not so true and practically their role was only of a home maker. The advancement and emancipation of women is virtually a recent phenomenon. Before the advent of modern education in the 1960s, the only form of education prevalent was traditional monastic education where Jew women got opportunity to educate themselves. Although the seed of modern school system to impart secular education was sown in 1914, women's entry in the formal education came about only after many years. We must, of course acknowledge that Bhutan was passing through a phase where parents preferred to send their sons to school rather than daughters not only because of harsh terrains, long distances, lack of accommodations or other general hardships but also because of the view that daughters were more vulnerable and more useful at home. In the 1960s with the Royal Government's intention to modernize the country, Five Year Plans were implemented and as a part of these plans, literacy rate was sought to be increased, and women found the doors of schools unlocked to educate themselves. Gradually the number of schools increased, so also the number of girl students. In the 1990s the government established hostel facilities for girls in the technical and vocational institutions. Nonformal system was introduced which was much more suitable for women. So, in spite of some age old gender disparity, women gradually became educated ushering increased awareness and thereby bolstering their status in the socio-economic-political fabric of Bhutanese society.
Open Access
Emancipation and Empowerment of Women – Barriers and Challenges
(University of North Bengal, 2022-12) Roy, Sayantani
‘It is perfectly natural for the future woman to feel indignant at the limitations posed upon her by her sex. The real question is not why she should reject them: the problem is to understand why she accepts them’ -Simone de Beauvior, The Second Sex Since time immemorial, women have been held in the shackles of mediocrity under the guise of domesticity. The notion of inferiority complex silently embedded in their psyche. The invariably assertive surroundings forcibly made an inevitable resolution to push her down the same path that her matriarchal lineage committed to ages since. The fear of obligation and guilt persisted in following her in the subsequent time, no matter how hard a woman attempted to break free from the confines that had been deftly built to keep her in place. The terrifying outburst of self-criticism is a product of the generational transmission of a mental process that endorses patriarchy and relies on the idea that women are in fact a subordinate category incapable of being left on their own. A key component of feminist definition and politics is empowerment, which became a buzzword in the 1970s among development agencies, is not without obstacles and challenges.
Open Access
Environmental governance and women in Sikkim : a study of actors and network since 1994
(University of North Bengal, 2023) Bhutia, Tseten Uden; De, Soumitra
Over a decade and a half. the environmental movement in Sikkim has witnessed several changes, particularly since 1994. when Sikkim Democratic Front came to power. The objective of environmental protection remains, but the activism has committed itself to addressing many more issues. Analyzing the success or failure of the traditional method of governance, which could have been replaced by a new form of governance known as New Environmental Governance ( NEG). The new form of governance has introduced an idea of activism that has risen beyond the distinctions of class, gender, and region. The idea or participation. collaboration, and collectiveness based on selfless service and representation has emerged. Sikkim has been on a march towards sustainable development or 'Green· development, respecting the values and importance of natural resources and the lives dependent on them. For the same, various green policies have been formulated and implemented through State and Centre-led initiatives Such initiatives in a sense ha,e been accused of not being inclusive oft he aspirations and sentiments of the local population. Such an opinion is not just confined to a place like Sikkim. but activism against development projects which is seen to endanger the social. economic, and environmental spheres of the lives or the people has developed in different parts of India and the world. The rise of the people and communities affected ts not new to India. With Sikkim treading on the path of development later compared to other states of India, was said to have 'delayed development'. But the sooner the development started so did the activism against it. Over five chapters. the work revolves around the study of the nature of activism in Sikkim, which saw the rise of community. as well as groups within the community i.e., the rise of women in environmentaI governance. Different actors and their dependence on each other and their functioning through a network are studied. These actors have through their effort emphasized the intrinsic value of nature/environment. and its significance for the people of Sikkim especially the indigenous community i.e., Lepchas of Dzongu. Materializing on the idea of collective action toward a common goal, the movememt to this day continues. Along with the activism to stop the imposition or development projects; the actors through their organizations have instated various initiatives at the local level for the welfare of the community. They strive to relieve dependence on development efforts from external forces and establish self-determination and self-reliance through dependence on their own resources through indigenous efforts as well. They have initiated policies to prove to the authorities of traditional administration that the intellectual resources of the state and indigenous resources are adequate to bring about development in a region like Dzongu, which can later be taken as an example for the entire state. Such methods would have no negative repercussions on the environment and the people. They are keen on providing alternatives to development to the authorities. This work would provide a theoretical and field-based perspective on the concept of environmental governance in Sikkim. [t also presents an evaluation of the move from the administration of the enviromnent by the government: to environmental governance. and finally to NEG- New Environmental Governance. The work would gradually elaborate on the concepts and principles of environmental governance in general; the characteristics and principles of NEG: and move towards identifying the actors in governance and NEG and its interdependence which leads to network governance. A specific emphasis would be laid on the actors and networks in environmental governance in Sikkim. The success and failures of the above-mentioned methods of governance have been analyzed through the work. Governance includes the idea of independence and interdependence of actors working towards a particular goal. There needs to be a collaboration between the community organizations and the state agencies and also a com1ecrion between women as individuals and women as a part of the community. Local knowledge would have a grave impact on the preservation and conservation of the environment. Administration by the government should acknowledge and be inclusive of the contribution of the community and groups within the community for achieving effective and efficient governance. Actors participate for reasons which may vary- material or emotional reasons may cause one to participate, it would be befitting to consider that state-mediated environmental governance contains ' Arrogance, as prescribed by Ramachandra Guha, and thus makes it imperative to consider tJ1e presence and contribution of other actors in environmental governance. lt could complement the state-led initiatives and give a local and closer perspective to the governance of the environment. The nature of actors especially NGOs- Non- Governmental Organizations also differ. There are various NGOs that work under the aegis of the state government and a few NGOs which have no affiliation to the government. They function independently and apolitically with the support received from the local community, and national and international organizations with similar purposes. This work is based on the state's policy initiatives and the interaction with the organization, Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT).
Open Access
Experiences of Refugee Women After Partition (1947-1962): A Case Study of the Jalpaiguri District, West Bengal
(University of North Bengal, 2020-03) Pal, Agnita
Partition and migration can be considered as a mirroring face of Indian independence. A huge number of refugees entered in India after partition, and among them a considerable number were women. This particular gender unfortunately bore the most lasting scars of partition, both physical and mental, as refugees on one hand and for being women on the other. Adjustment in the new land was very difficult, rather challenging for them. Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal is in fact flooded with the stories of sufferings of those women thereby containing a significant history frozen in the memories of those surviving eyewitnesses. This paper is an attempt to seek attention to those unknown parts of human history.
Open Access
Ignored Voices: An Overview of the life of the Women with Disabilities in India.
(University of North Bengal, 2022-12) Das, Tinku
It has been held from ancient times that men and women are not equal. Some socially prescribed identities have been forced onto both genders. Based on people's biological or physiological differences, performances, competence, retention, and other capacities, society has developed some negative conceptions and established some binaries such as normal/abnormal, able/disabled, fit/unfit, etc. In order to oppress women, patriarchal society has created separate standards for men and women. It views women as weak human beings who serve as spouses, mothers, nurses, and sisters. In a culture that is governed by men, women lack freedom and safety. Men have always held a higher standing than women and are still are viewed as more significant than women. There have been different waves of feminism with their own charter of demands regarding women’s rights but there was no particular demand for women with disabilities. It seems that women with disabilities have no purpose in this world and are considered as useless in the society. Even at the very onset the women who struggled for their rights and identities did not raise their voices for women with disabilities. Harlan Hahn, a disability activist and political scientist has observed that disabled women often encounter “asexual objectification”. Though the world of words masculine and feminine are categorized but women with disability have no category and have been deprived and treated as untouchables. The paper discusses this lack of voice in favour of women with disabilities that pushes them towards more uneasy world.
Open Access
In quest of a new destination: study of refugees, resettlement and rehabilitation in North Bengal with special reference to women (1947-79)
(University of North Bengal, 2018) Mitra Guha, Madhuparna,; Bhattacharya, Dahlia
Open Access
Indian Women in the Event of Social Transformation – Legal Perspectives
(University of North Bengal, 2020-03) Das, Sudeshna
"All collective human life is indirectly shaped by law. Law is like knowledge, an essential and all pervasive fact of the social condition" –NiklasLuhmann. Law is the reflection of man's social consciousness at a given period of time.Society is a changing phenomenon and this process requires to be maintained by some machinery in order to avoid disorientation and disarray. Legal propositions, researches and judicial pronouncements are those instruments which are developed in the form ofnorms and principles and its accuracy being checked and then applied as true principles of law.
Open Access
Indigenous Women and their Tenacious Strive for Forest Rights - An Indian Perspective
(University of North Bengal, 2024) Rai, Ashima
In the forestry systems of developing countries, distinct roles are often assumed by men and women. However, women frequently encounter systemic disadvantages stemming from cultural norms, socioeconomic barriers, and institutional biases that restrict their access to and control over forest resources and related economic benefits. Despite their essential contributions to the sustainable use and preservation of forest ecosystems, women’s roles continue to be underrecognized and undervalued. Policies and legal frameworks that govern land and forest management, which disregard gender dynamics and fail to adopt a rights-based perspective, risk perpetuating the legal and social marginalization of women. Such gender-blind approaches exclude women from decision-making processes and deny them fair access to the advantages derived from forest and land resources. This paper critically analyes current legal provisions, particularly focusing on India’s Forest Rights Act of 2006, to investigate how existing forest governance structures adversely affect lowincome populations, especially women. It also proposes targeted reforms designed to strengthen gender equity, enhance women's rights, and promote both social justice and ecological integrity within India’s forest management practices.
Open Access
Literature of crisis: reading recent scandinavian crime fiction
(University of North Bengal, 2019) Sinha, Mandika; Samanta, Soumyajit,
Open Access
Love Marriage: Women in Sri Lankan Civil War
(University of North Bengal, 2020-12) Mookherjee, Sanghamitra
Open Access
Participation of women in social movements: Sociological study of the hill region of Darjeeling District
(University of North Bengal, 2020) Chhetri, Kumar; Biswas, Saswati
Open Access
Participatory decentralised governance and empowerment: a study of women participation in the Gram Sansads of two selected Gram Panchayats of Jalpaiguri District of West Bengal (2003-2011)
(University of North Bengal, 2015) Sen, Rajiv,; M. Yasin,
Open Access
Protection of Women’s Dignity and Development of Laws against Revenge Porn on Women in India: A Comparative Study
(University of North Bengal, 2024-03) Sharma, Om Prakash; Roy, Lalit Kumar
Revenge porn, means the unauthorized dissemination of private photographs or videos of a victim in cyberspace, is a newly judicially recognized crime and has an increasing trend in society with the increasing prevalence of technological advancement. This type of non-consensual pornography which is virtual rape, takes place for several reasons, i.e., taking revenge on his ex-partner, sextortion, blackmailing, getting custody of children from a divorced spouse, etc., which causes sexual exploitation, domestic violence, and more. Recent data shows that about 27% of total internet users in between 13-45 age groups were subjected to revenge porn in India. Though cases are being dealt with, with the help of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and Information Technology Act, 2000 but till now, there are no explicit provisions dealing with this crime where victims can avail themselves of the relief effectively and without any hesitation. Today, no one can think of a life without the use of the Internet, but protecting women's rights is also a significant concern. Using a comparative analysis, the authors of this research paper will attempt to understand the rising concerns of revenge porn and its development and will try to present a solution to the problem.
Open Access
Shades of South Asian Women in Rasheed Jahan’s Writings: Navigating Patriarchies, Spaces, Regime Control, and Colonialism
(University of North Bengal, 2022-12) Chakraborty, Anup Shekhar; Biswas, Praggnaparamita
Women in South Asia had a different colonial experience compared to that of men. Colonialism liberated indigenous women from traditionally restrictive practices, expanding their mobility opportunities. It also introduced indigenous women to newer forms of colonial patriarchy and sometimes resurrected older forms of masculine privilege. Women attempted to overcome obstacles to education and healthcare, forced marriages, and restrictions on their freedom of movement. A group of women actively participated in the nationalist movement and advocated for women’s rights. Writing allowed colonised women in South Asia to convey their thoughts and experiences and to challenge the oppressive structures that confined them, ultimately leading to women’s liberation. By drawing attention to the intersectionality of gender, religion, and culture, women writers in South Asia, particularly the Islamic women writers have contributed significantly to the feminist movement. These writings have given Muslim women in the region a voice and have challenged patriarchal norms and stereotypes. The writings of Rasheed Jahan, Ismat Chughtai, and Qurratulain Hyder continue to serve as a source of inspiration and motivation for future generations of women. The present study delves into the literary works of Rasheed Jahan, with a focus on the portrayal of South Asian women and their experiences in overcoming various forms of patriarchal oppression, their navigation through regimes and their mechanisms of control, their struggle for establishment of identities in diverse social settings, resisting authoritarian regimes, and recovering from the aftermath of colonialism while carving out spaces for their survival.
Open Access
Significance of brata rituals in the life of the married women in rural bengal significance of brata rituals in the life of the married women in rural bengal
(University of North Bengal, 31-03-2020) Gupta, Anuja
Brata is an age-old religious ritual practiced by women of West Bengal. It has its roots in the totemic cults of the aboriginals of this land. Brata finds reverberation in the identity that it ascribes to women as being the Su-Grihini and care- giver of her family. In the present day, community jubilations buttressed by the perception of Dharma provides legitimacy to Brata that makes it an omnipresent ritual. In this paper, I attempt to underscore an anthropological and cultural perspective of Brata and understand its significance in the religious life of married women in rural Bengal.
Open Access
Socio-Political Status of Women in Ancient India
(University of North Bengal, 2020-12) Goswami, Gita Rani
Open Access
Study on the Occupational Status of Women of Matigara Community Development Block, Darjiling District, West Bengal
(University of North Bengal, 2020-12) Lepcha Nee Lama, Indira; Saha, Tannistha
Open Access
Trafficking of women in Darjeeling hills : A sociological study
(University of North Bengal, 2022) Mukhia, Persis; Bhui, Ujjwal
Open Access
Women , Leisure and a Room of Their Own : a Brief Appraisal
(University of North Bengal, 2020-12) Mitra, Zinia
Open Access
Women and politics at the grassroots : a study of the role of women in Uttar Dinajpur district
(University of North Bengal, 2010) Sultana, Aleya Mousumi; Chakrabarty, Manas