Women, Social Justice and Human Rights

The present volume is on social justice and human rights. It unequivocally asserts that social justice is an inseparable component of human rights of women in India and without it human rights would be empty and meaningless. Equality in basic liberties, equality of opportunity for advancement and positive discrimination in favour of women ensure social justice and human rights. Human rights of a woman means her liberation from the traditional oppressive bonds and discrimination, improvement in the concept of self and she in relation to the environment and the people around her. It means a matter of provision of social justice in relation to resources, organization, socio-economic and political opportunities of a woman. In her milieu, human rights expect a change in the perception and the value characteristics of Indian culture. The rural, tribal and slum women, during the Freedom Movement, joined hands with Mahatma Gandhi to fight against colonialism and feudalism. But the independent India not only ignored them completely, but also exploited them by refusing to honour their dignity and rights. A democracy that fails to take the poor and oppressed women as an important constituent of the nation building endeavour is gender insensitive. So, human rights of women require continuing understanding of women’s needs in different situations and dimension. In this context, development of women expects the articulation of social justice and promotion of human rights. The present volume is highly provocative and illuminating. It contains come of the clearest analyses on social justice to women and their human rights. It is a significant work and makes serious contributions to law, human rights, social welfare, social work, sociology, participatory research and public administration. Academics, researchers, legal pundits, activist, social thinkers and social workers find this volume constructive and inspiring.