The ancient Indian civilization women hold a very strong position in the society. The civilization has produced great women ranging from Braham vadinis to states women, from ideal wife to warrior queen. The status of women during the Vedic period was honorable and respectable. Equal social and religious status was allowed to boys and girls in Vedic society. Both boys and girls had equal opportunities for advanced education, in fact, it was necessary for the girls to study Vedas. The husband- wife stood on equal footing in the institution of marriage. There was no tradition of child marriage prevailing in the Vedic society. The choice of girl was considered in the settlement of their marriage. The practices of Svayamvara and Monogamy, and widow remarriage indicate the high status of women in this period. Women had sufficient freedom and were healthy from all perspectives- social, physical and psychological.

From the post Vedic period, women started losing their status in society. She lost her independence, became sub- ordinate and a subject of protection. She used to lose her identity after marriage. Women were per-ordained for procreation and they had no other function. Women were kept deprived from any education and the girl is married soon after puberty. The institution of caste became very rigid with strict hierarchical gradation. No inter caste marriages were favored. Polygamy along with monogamy became prevalent. A widow was not allowed to re-marry. Women were also incapable of possessing property. The birth of a son was very important from worldly, religious and spiritual point of view.

During the Mughal period the socio-economic status of women were much lowered and they became more dependent. Social evils like Purdha system, child marriage, female infanticides, and sati pratha came into force. Lack of education, early marriage, non-existence of employment opportunities, and absence of absolute property rights caused the intense inequality in the society. Economic dependence made the women socially backward. The women were treated as sudhras, and were supposed to get married at an early age of 8. Early marriage was followed by early maternity, which resulted in increased mortality and reduced health among women.

During British rule, several reforms were made with respect to status to women. Free India has carried forward the process to a point where at least legally men and women are equal. The cultural attributes that made the society male dominant, have left a deep mark on women development in India, though it varies according to specific variables operating in Indian society such as caste, class, rural, urban, education, region and other socio-economic parameters. Gils are often considered as an economic liability because of the tradition of giving dowry at the time of marriage in form of cash, gifts and streedhan (ornaments).  For many families dowry represents an enormous financial burden. The dowry system resulted in many harmful practices against women and girls including, burning of brides over dowry disputes.

Higher childhood mortality rate is the result of the unwillingness of the families to invest in the girl child, specially girls with older sisters, not providing them with proper food and health care, which is primarily responsible for the skewed sex ratio in India. Female infanticide and female foeticide play a substantial role in the lop sided sex ratio in India. Sex selective absorption has been common. Families from lower socio-economic class are often reluctant to spend in the education of their daughters.

The post independence period has seen a number of positive and concerted efforts by government, attainment of equal status for women in every sphere of life were enshrined as one of the objectives of Indian constitution. Right from the first five year plan the issue of providing equal status to women has been sharply focused in the development process. While the first four plans focused on organizing various welfare activities and giving priority to women education, the fifth and sixth plan witnessed a shift in approach from welfare to overall development of women with a three pronged thrust on health, education and employment of women. The seventh plan laid stress on efforts to identify and promote beneficiary oriented programs with the intention of extending direct benefits to women. The eight five year plan made a significant change from development to women empowerment. It recommended 30 percent reservation for women at all levels of government. The strategy of women’s component in the ninth plan provides for ensuring that a minimum of 30 percent of benefits or funds should flow to women from all ministries and department.