Knowledge of rural women about legislative provisions regarding human rights: A sociological analysis

Pages: 366-369
Vinod Kumari and Subhash Chander (Department of Sociology, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana)

The declaration of human rights by united National General Assembly in December 10, 1948, which represents the first global expressions of rights to which all human beings are entitled. It consists of 30 articles which have been elaborated in subsequent international treaties, regional human rights, national constitutions and laws. All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights from the ancient days; India has been committed to the ideals and doctrines of human rights. No discrimination is allowed or imposed in exercise of these rights. Women represent about half of total population in India, but gender biasness and gender inequality are main features of Indian society. Women have been denied equal rights for centuries. The plight of women is distressing and their conditions in society are deplorable various social evils lead to deprivation of women. Crime against women is increasing day by day. The Indian constitution has guaranteed various human rights for women. In accordance to these constitutional rights, a number of legislative measures were enacted to safeguard the rights of women of both rural and urban women. Therefore, the present study was undertaken in Karnal district of Haryana state on 200 women respondents from Nardak cultural zone to study the knowledge of rural women about legislative provisions regarding Human Rights and association of socio-economic factors with level of knowledge. It was observed that Knowledge of rural women about crimes under IPC was among 46% of respondents including partial knowledge. Knowledge of respondents was found associated with age, education, occupation and mass-media exposure.