The Role of Women in Hindu Society

The Laws of Manu The basic principles governing the roles of girls and women in Hindu history were set forth in the Laws of Manu. This ancient code specified that women must be honored and adorned by their fathers, brothers, husbands and brothers-in-law who desired their own welfare.

From the Laws of Manu “Where women are honoured, there the gods are pleased. Where they are not honoured, no sacred rite yields rewards.”

From the Laws of Manu “Day and night, women must be kept dependent to the males of their families. If they attach themselves to sensual enjoyments, they must be kept under one’s control. Her father protects her in childhood. Her husband protects her in youth. Her sons protect her in old age. A woman is never fit for independence.”

Stages of Life Early Life Marriage Widowhood Spent under the watchful eye of her father Spent learning domestic skills Virginity closely guarded Not allowed to study the Veda Marriage Arranged by the family A suitable husband chosen from the same Caste Divorce rates very low Widowhood Widows do not remarry regardless of age Forbidden to eat with the rest of the family Given the hardest jobs A sign of bad luck for the family if her husband dies first

Sati Prior to the 19th century women whose husbands died sometimes chose Sati over widowhood Sati is performed when a woman burns alive on her husband’s funeral pyre so that she did not have to live without him Some women were forced onto the funeral pyre against their will

The Plight of Widows Some families abandon their widows because of the belief they will bring bad luck to the family The city of Vrindivan is estimated to have between 25 and 35 million widows, many of whom are homeless

The future… Many people are trying to change the future for women Like Caste, legislation will not change village society – instead, change must be encouraged at the village level India and other countries in the Indian sub-continent have had many women in politics which is helping to change the position of women