Progress of Women: An Islamic Perspective

with their demure and bashful nature, seem to be symbols of virtue; on the other hand, we try to instigate our women to reveal as much of their bodies as possible. Then, when our women are waylaid and their modesty torn, we shed crocodile tears. In the present Indian scenario, with events of female harassment ever on the increase, we have a most pathetic sight. Even our workplaces—not to talk about our homes—are not safe. Even those women holding higher bureaucratic posts are not spared. Laws against sexual harassment and rape are being moulded and remoulded, but the escalation in gender-related crimes keeps rising unabated. Female foeticide is on the increase. Most dowry deaths go unreported. In fact, with the present-day status, who would refuse to accept that women are poised suicidally on the brink of disaster? The facts and figures showing deliberate women’s subjugation under the cover of pleasure-making cannot put them to sleep. There is a wave of restlessness to be found everywhere. Many suggestions have been made in this regard, such as it being felt at certain quarters that women need rights, not power. In other places, education is being re commended for women’s overall development. Some suggest political empowerment. Yet some say that women can only be genuinely emancipated by becoming economically independent. Whatever the case, we cannot isolate the various aspects of women’s development into different channels and work for any one or the other. We have to devise a comprehensive system that, while recognizing