South Africa and India share a common colonial past and experienced various forms
of exploitation and humiliation. The past of both these nations have been daunting
the present and the future. These two countries are growing at a much faster pace by
occupying major places in the world today. No nation can fully develop until its
people live a happy and dignified life. Women are an inherent part of the society and
is building the family and the nation.
The traditional or the patriarchal societies prevented women from entering into the
public domain and women were considered as inferior to men. To challenge this
inferiority status, women began to empower themselves. Since mid-1970s the
women have started employing themselves and accepting new occupations both in
the private and the government sector. The concept of working women emerged
strongly in the 19th century. The 19th century is regarded as the century of women
and it paved way for the development of women. The overall development of women
is seen in the various fields of political, economic and social spheres of the society.
The rising human rights abuses against women acts as a barrier in the path of
development of women. Human rights can be promoted and protected by education
young girls in order to uplift the lives of women. By providing jobs to women it
would act as another way of developing and empowering women. Women's
condition has always been deteriorated in both South Africa and India. Human rights
violation against women is increasing day by day, but the parameter of crime has
widened its spheres. Earlier crimes committed against women mostly included
dowry death, domestic violence, female feticide, murder etc. But in the age of
development women are assuming important roles in the society by not only mere
housewives instead they are bread runners of the families also. The Government of
both South Africa and India are taking effective measures to curb rising human rights
atrocities against working women. At the work place the concepts of gender
neutrality and equal pay for equal work needs to be reinforced.
