Sunday, November 11, 2018

THE UN DECADE FOR WOMEN 1976-1985


Sasi K.G.

01. INTRODUCTION

The United Nations’ International Decade for Women 1976-1985 was a long cherished initiative to empower women. But in spite of repeated review meetings and follow up in the international level, its influence in India was not promising during the decade, but was counterproductive in certain aspects. However the seed of thought revolution sprang out in the later decades and under compelling social movements women friendly legislations were made abundantly and Courts began to pour out feminist precedents. Yet on a functional analysis based on statistics, the dignity of women is still going downward.
The present study is an attempt to identify the importance of the decade in historical and functional jurisprudence and its influence in India.

02. UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S YEAR, 1975

In 1972, the General Assembly, in its resolution 3010 (XXVII), proclaimed 1975 International Women's Year, to be devoted to intensified action to promote equality between men and women, to ensure the full integration of women in the total development effort and to increase women's contribution to the strengthening of world peace. It was to achieve the goals of Equality, Development and Peace.

03. UNITED NATIONS DECADE FOR WOMEN 1976-1985

United Nations Resolution adopted by the General Assembly 102nd plenary meeting dated 16th December 1976 proclaimed the United Nations Decade for Women 1975-1985.  The resolution is given in Appendix I. There are four Important Conferences / Conventions which issued guidelines to the implementation of the United Nations’ Decade for Women 1976-1985.
The World Conference of the International Women’s Year (Mexico City) adopted the World Plan of Action. The 34th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in 1979. World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women 1980 held in Copenhagen adopted the Program of Action for the second half of the United Nations Decade for Women. World Conference to Review and Appraise the Achievements of the UN Decade for Women 1985 in Nairobi adopted the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women.
The three objectives of the Decade - equality, development and peace - are broad, interrelated and mutually reinforcing, so that the achievement of one contributes to the achievement of another and these three goals of the Decade are inextricably linked to the three sub-themes - employment, health and education.
With the publication of Towards Equality, the report of the Committee on The Status of Women in 1974, and with the declaration of the decade 1975-85 as the International Decade for Women, barriers against feminism were expected to be increasingly eroded within the political sphere.

04. FIRST WOMEN’S CONFERENCE IN MEXICO CITY, 1975[i]

Mexico City Conference, the first UN World Conference on Women coincided with the International Women’s Year and served to remind the international community that discrimination against women continued to be a persistent problem in much of the world. The following goals were established:
1.       Full gender equality and the elimination of gender discrimination;
2.      The integration and full participation of women in development;
3.      An increased contribution by women in the strengthening of world peace.
A World Plan of Action was adopted at the Mexico City Conference. This document offered guidelines for governments and the international community to follow over the next ten years to accomplish the three key objectives set by the General Assembly. The Plan of Action set minimum targets, to be met by 1980, that focused on securing equal access for women to resources including education, employment opportunities, political participation, health services, housing, nutrition and family planning. Whereas women were previously perceived as passive recipients of support and assistance, they were now viewed as full and equal partners with men, with equal rights to resources and opportunities.

05 . SECOND WOMEN’S CONFERENCE IN COPENHAGEN, 1980[ii]

In 1980, at the mid-point of the Decade, the Copenhagen World Conference adopted the Programme of Action for the Second Half of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, which further elaborated on the existing obstacles and on the existing international consensus on measures to be taken for the advancement of women. The Programme of Action was endorsed by the General Assembly in 1980 in its resolution 35/136.
At the Copenhagen UN World Conference on Women, it was determined that there was a discrepancy between universal legal rights and women’s ability to exercise these rights. The barriers identified in this regard were:
1.       Lack of sufficient involvement of men in improving women’s role in society;
2.      Insufficient political will;
3.      Lack of recognition of the value of women’s contributions to society;
4.      Lack of attention to the particular needs of women in planning;
5.      Shortage of women in decision-making positions;
6.      Insufficient services such as co-operatives, day-care centers and credit facilities to support the role of women in national life;
7.      Overall lack of necessary financial resources;
8.      Lack of awareness among women about the opportunities available to them.
The Copenhagen World Conference interpreted equality as meaning not only legal equality, the elimination of de jure discrimination, but also equality of rights, responsibilities and opportunities for the participation of women in development, both as beneficiaries and as active agents.
The role of women in development is directly related to the goal of comprehensive social and economic development and is fundamental to the development of all societies. Development means total development, including development in the political, economic, social, cultural and other dimensions of human life, as well as the development of the economic and other material resources and the physical, moral, intellectual and cultural growth of human beings. It should be conducive to providing women, particularly those who are poor or destitute, with the necessary means for increasingly claiming, achieving, enjoying and utilizing equality of opportunity. The increasingly successful participation of each woman in societal activities as a legally independent agent will contribute to further recognition in practice of her right to equality.

06. THIRD WOMEN’S CONFERENCE IN NAIROBI, 1985[iii]

The Nairobi UN World Conference on Women sought to assess the achievements of the United Nations Decade for Women. Although the Women’s Movement had now become an international force unified under the banner of the “Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace”, delegates were confronted with shocking reports. Data gathered by the United Nations revealed that improvements in the status of women and efforts to reduce discrimination had benefited only a small minority of women. Improvements in the situation of women in the developing world had been marginal at best. The Nairobi Forward-Looking Strategies (NFLS) to the Year 2000 was a blueprint for improving the condition of women through the end of the century. It broke new ground as it declared all issues to be women’s issues.
The NFLS established the following categories as measures for achieving equality at national levels:
1.      Constitutional and legal steps;
2.      Equality in social participation;
3.      Equality in political participation and decision-making.
It was now recognized that women’s equality, far from being an isolated issue, encompassed every sphere of human activity. A women’s perspective, including active involvement in all issues was essential if the goals and objectives of the Decade for Women were to be attained.

07. MAJOR INTERNATIONAL EVENTS DURING THE PERIOD

A UN Chronology related to UN Decade for Women from 1975 is given below.
1975
International Women's Year, with a three-part theme: equality, development and peace, as established by General Assembly resolution 3010 of 1972.
7 March 1975
The United Nations first observes International Women's Day (8 March).
19 June-2 July 1975
The World Conference of the International Women's Year in Mexico City is the first global conference to be held on women's issues, with 133 Governments represented. The Conference adopts a World Plan of Action for the Advancement of Women for the coming decade. Helvi-Sippila (Finland), the first woman Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations (appointed in 1972 to head the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs), is the Secretary-General of the Conference. Some 6,000 representatives of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) attend the related International Women's Year Tribune.
15 December 1975
The General Assembly, by its resolution 3520 (XXX), proclaims 1976-1985 the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, to be devoted to effective and sustained national and international action to implement the World Plan of Action of the 1975 Conference. By the same resolution, the Assembly calls for the establishment of an United Nations International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW).
1976-1985
3 January 1976
The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 16 December 1966 came into force from 3 January 1976.
March 23, 1976
The United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) adopted on December 19, 1966 came into force on March 23, 1976.
15 December 1975
United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, as established by General Assembly resolution 3520 of 15 December 1975.
12 May 1976
ECOSOC decides to establish INSTRAW as an autonomous body under the auspices of the United Nations, funded through voluntary contributions. The Institute is directed to focus its activities on the needs of women in developing countries. INSTRAW begins operation in January 1980.
8 November 1977
At the first Pledging Conference for the United Nations Decade for Women, pledges of more than $3 million are received for the Voluntary Fund for the United Nations Decade for Women and more than $500,000 for INSTRAW.
18 December 1979
The General Assembly adopts the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, first drafted and approved by the Commission on the Status of Women in 1976. The 30-article women's bill of rights is the first international legal instrument to stipulate what constitutes discrimination against women. The Convention comes into force on 3 September 1981.
14-30 July 1980
The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women takes place in Copenhagen with delegations from 145 Member States. Sixty-four Member States sign the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. The Programme of Action for the Second Half of the United Nations Decade for Women, adopted by the Conference, calls for special emphasis on improving women's employment, health and education. Lucille Mair (Jamaica), the first woman Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations is Secretary-General of the Conference. About 7,000 NGO representatives attend the related NGO forum.
11 December 1980
The, General Assembly, by its resolution 35/136, decides to convene in 1985 a World Conference to Review and Appraise the Achievements of the United Nations Decade for Women.
23 June 1981
The ILO adopts the Workers with Family Responsibilities Convention calling for equal opportunities and equal treatment for men and women workers with family responsibilities and for action by States to eliminate discrimination in employment for those with family responsibilities.
14 December 1981
The General Assembly, by its resolution 36/129, extends the activities of the Voluntary Fund for the United Nations Decade for Women, which includes funding for 68 new development projects, beyond the end of the Decade.
16 April 1982
At the first meeting of the States parties to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), an expert panel to monitor compliance with the 1979 Convention, is established. The Committee holds its inaugural session from 18 to 22 October 1982 in Vienna.
3 December 1982
The General Assembly adopts the Declaration on the Participation of Women in Promoting International Peace and Cooperation, which states that since women and men have an equal interest in contributing to international peace and cooperation, women must be enabled to participate equally with men in economic, social, cultural, civil and political affairs.
1-12 August 1983
The Declaration and Programme of Action adopted by the Second World Conference to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination, held in Geneva, states that whenever there is racial discrimination, women are subjected to a second layer of discrimination, and calls for detailed legislative and educational measures to combat all forms of discrimination.
11 August 1983
INSTRAW inaugurates its permanent headquarters in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
11 December 1984
The first World Survey on the Role of Women in Development is issued. Updated every five years, the World Survey is a major source of statistical and analytical data on women in the global economy.
14 December 1984
The Voluntary Fund for the United Nations Decade for Women is renamed the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) and is made a separate entity in association with the United Nations Development Programme. In 1984, the Fund provides assistance totaling $24 million to almost 400 projects.
26 February 1985
The Secretary-General appoints a Coordinator for the improvement of the Status of Women in the Secretariat, Mercedez Pulido de Briceno (Venezuela), at the Assistant Secretary-General level. The Secretary-General also establishes a Steering Committee for the Improvement of the Status of Women in the Secretariat.
15-26 July 1985
The third global women's conference, the World Conference to Review and Appraise the Achievements of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, takes place in Nairobi, with delegations from 157 Member States present. The final document, the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women, is a blueprint for measures to improve the status of women by the end of the century. Leticia Shahani (Philippines), United Nations Assistant Secretary-General, is Secretary-General of the Conference. Some 15,000 NGO representatives attend the related NGO forum.
20 April 1987
Naris Sadik (Pakistan) is appointed Director of the United Nations Population Fund -- the first woman to head a major United Nations programme.
26 May 1987
ECOSOC adopts the long-term work programme proposed by the CSW, prioritizing implementation of the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies.
May 1988
The Section on the Status of Women in the United Nations Secretariat, which in 1972 was renamed and upgraded to the Branch for the Promotion of Equality between Men and Women, and in 1979 renamed as the Branch for the Advancement of Women, is further upgraded to become the Division for the Advancement of Women. In 1993 the Division moves from Vienna to New York to become part of the newly created Department for Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development.
25 February-5 March 1990
The CSW completes the first review and appraisal of the implementation of the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies and adopts 21 recommendations for eliminating obstacles to their implementation. The Commission recommends the convening of a world conference on women in 1995.
5-9 March 1990
The World Conference on Education for All: Meeting Basic Learning Needs, held in Jomtien, Thailand, calls for a universal reduction of the disparities which exist in the education of girls and boys.
29-30 September 1990
The World Summit for Children, held at United Nations Headquarters in New York, discusses the global status of children and emphasizes the disadvantages faced by girls as compared to boys. The World Declaration on the Survival, Protection and Development of Children states that improving the status of children depends greatly upon ensuring the equal rights of women.
14 December 1990
The General Assembly, by its resolution 45/129, decides to hold a fourth world conference on women in 1995.
21 December 1990
The General Assembly adopts resolution 45/239 establishing targets for the employment of women in the Secretariat of 35 per cent women in professional posts subject to geographical distribution by 1995 and 25 per cent women in senior posts.
18 June 1991
The United Nations publishes The World's Women 1970-1990: Trends and Statistics.

08. GENERAL ACTION PLANS OF THE DECADE FOR WOMEN

EQUALITY 

One of the objectives of the Decade entails the full observance of the equal rights of women and the elimination of de jure and de facto discrimination. The inequality of women in most countries stems to a very large extent from mass poverty and the general backwardness of the majority of the world's population caused by underdevelopment, which is a product of imperialism, colonialism, neo-colonialism, apartheid, racism, racial discrimination and of unjust international economic relations.
The political commitment to establish, modify, expand or enforce a comprehensive legal base for the equality of women and men and on the basis of human dignity must be strengthened. Legislative changes are most effective when made within a supportive framework promoting simultaneous changes in the economic, social, political and cultural spheres, which can help bring about a social transformation.
Governments should take the relevant steps to ensure that both men and women enjoy equal rights, opportunities and responsibilities so as to guarantee the development of their individual aptitudes and capacities and enable women to participate as beneficiaries and active agents in development.

DEVELOPMENT 

The continuation of women's stereotyped reproductive and productive roles, justified primarily on physiological, social and cultural grounds, has subordinated them in the general as well as sectoral spheres of development, even where some progress has been achieved. One of the main obstacles to the effective integration of women in the process of development is the aggravation of the international situation, resulting in a continuing arms race, which now may spread also to outer space.
The lack of political will of certain developed countries to eliminate obstacles to the practical realization of such fundamental documents adopted by the United Nations as the Declaration on Social Progress and Development (General Assembly resolution 2542 (XXIV)), the Charter of Economic Rights and Duties of States (General Assembly resolution 3281 (XXIX)), the Declaration and the Programme of Action on the Establishment of a New International Economic Order (General Assembly resolutions 3201 (S-VI) and 3202 (S-VI), respectively), the International Development Strategy for the Third United Nations Development Decade (General Assembly resolution 35/56, annex), aimed at the restructuring of international economic relations on a just and democratic basis, should be counted among the main reasons for the conservation of the unfavourable and unequal position of women from the point of view of development, especially in the developing countries.
The decline in economic activity is having a negative impact on an already unbalanced distribution of income, as well as on the high levels of unemployment, which affect women more than men.
The commitment to remove obstacles to the effective participation of all women in development as intellectuals, policy-makers and decision-makers, planners, contributors and beneficiaries should be strengthened according to the specific problems of women in different regions and countries and the needs of different categories of women in them.
Different socio-economic and cultural conditions are to be taken into account when identifying the foremost obstacles to the advancement of women.
Women should be an integral part of the process of defining the objectives and modes of development, as well as of developing strategies and measures for their implementation.

PEACE 

The threat to peace resulting from continuing international tension and violations of the United Nations Charter, resulting in the unabated arms race, in particular in the nuclear field, as well as wars, armed conflicts, external domination, foreign occupation, acquisition of land by force, aggression, imperialism, colonialism, neo-colonialism, racism, apartheid, gross violation of human rights, terrorism, repression, the disappearance of persons and discrimination on the basis of sex are major obstacles to human progress, specifically to the advancement of women.
Women and men have an equal right and the same vital interest in contributing to international peace and co-operation. Women should participate fully in all efforts to strengthen and maintain international peace and security and to promote international co-operation, diplomacy, the process of detente and disarmament in the nuclear field.
Governments should follow the overall framework of action for disarmament as provided by the Final Document of the tenth special session of the General Assembly, which was devoted to disarmament (resolution S-10/2). Women's participation in the World Disarmament Campaign and their contribution to education for disarmament should be supported.

Areas of Special Concern 

The economic, social, cultural and political conditions of those groups of women should be improved basically by the implementation of the measures proposed for the attainment of equality, development and peace for women in general. Additional efforts should be directed towards ensuring the gainful and productive inclusion of these women in mainstream development and in political activities.
Elderly women
The International Plan of Action on Aging adopted by the World Assembly on Aging in 1982 emphasized both the humanitarian and developmental aspects of aging. The recommendations of the Plan of Action are applicable to women and men with a view to providing them with protection and care, and ensuring their involvement and participation in social life and development.
Young women
Urgent attention should be paid to the educational and vocational training of young women in all fields of occupation, giving particular emphasis to those who are socially and economically disadvantaged. Self-employed young women and girls should be assisted to organize co-operatives and ongoing training programmes to improve their skills in production, marketing and management techniques.
Abused women
Gender-specific violence is increasing and Governments must affirm the dignity of women, as a priority action. Governments should therefore intensify efforts to establish or strengthen forms of assistance to victims of such violence through the provision of shelter, support, legal and other services.
Destitute women
Destitution is an extreme form of poverty. Governments should ensure that the special needs and concerns of destitute women are given priority in the their strategies.
Women victims of trafficking and involuntary prostitution
Forced prostitution is a form of slavery imposed on women by procurers. Social and political pressures produce refugees and missing persons. Often these include vulnerable groups of women who are victimized by procurers. Sex tourism, forced prostitution and pornography reduce women to mere sex objects and marketable commodities.
Women deprived of their traditional means of livelihood
National and international emphasis on ecosystem management should be strengthened, environmental degradation should be controlled and options provided for alternative means of livelihood. Measures should be established to draw up national conservation strategies aimed at incorporating women's development programmes.
Women who are the sole supporters of families
Studies have shown that the number of families in which women are the sole supporters is on the increase. Owing to the social, economic and legal difficulties they face, many such women are among the poorest people concentrated in urban informal labour markets and they constitute large numbers of the rural unemployed and marginally employed
Governments are urged to ensure that women with sole responsibility for their families receive a level of income and social support sufficient to enable them to attain or maintain economic independence and to participate effectively in society.

09. BEIJING WOMEN’S CONFERENCES

The UN Decade for Women 1976-85 was followed by five Beijing Conferences. 

1995 Beijing Conference

A fundamental transformation took place at the Beijing Fourth World Conference on Women, 1995. This conference recognized the Vienna Conference on Human Rights, that women’s rights are human rights. There was a shift of focus from “women” to the concept of “gender”, recognizing that the entire structure of society and all relations between men and women within it had to be re-evaluated.

2000 Beijing plus Five (B+5) Conference

The Twenty-third Special Session of the General Assembly (23rd SSGA) produced an outcome document which listed the achievements in the advancement of women during the previous five years. It identified obstacles and current challenges to the process and strengthened the BPfA by focusing action and addressing new issues.

2005 Beijing plus Ten (B+10) Conference

The 49th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW 49) was a celebratory review of the implementation of the BPfA and the outcome document of the 23rd SSGA. It also looked at the current challenges and forward-looking strategies since the SSGA.

2010 Beijing plus Fifteen (B+15)

CSW 54 presented a fifteen-year review of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and BPfA and the outcomes of the 23rd SSGA. Emphasis was placed on the sharing of experiences and good practices, with a view to overcoming remaining obstacles and new challenges, including those related to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). On 2 March 2010 the CSW adopted a Declaration reaffirming the BPfA and the outcomes of the 23rd SSGA, calling for their full and effective implementation, and emphasizing that such implementation is essential to the achievement of the MDGs.

2015 Beijing plus Twenty (B+20)

In 2014, a twenty-year review of the progress made in implementing the Beijing Declaration and BPfA was held at the regional and national levels. These reviews has fed into the global review that would take place in 2015 at CSW 59.

10. IMPACT OF UN DECADE FOR WOMEN IN INDIA

01. Legislations

Early Legislations

The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 was strengthened by the Amendment Act 46 of 1978, w.e.f. 02.10.1979 and Amendment Act 44 of 1986 w.e.f. 26.01.1987.

Indian Penal Code, 1860

In 1983 Sn. 228A of Indian Penal Code, 1860 was substituted by Act 43 of 1983 (The Criminal Law (Second Amendment) Act, 1983 which was published on 26.12.1983) prescribing punishment for any person who prints or publishes the name or any other information related to the identity of a rape victim; unless such disclosure is with the consent of the victim or, in case the victim is dead/minor/unsound mind, by the next of kin of the victim, or by or under an order of the Court.
In 1983 Sn. 375 of Indian Penal Code, 1860 was substituted by act 43 of 1983 changing the name of heading of chapter as ‘Sexual Offences’ for ‘Of Rape.’
In 1983 Sn. 376 of Indian Penal Code, 1860 was substituted by Act 43 of 1983 enhancing punishment.
In 1983 Sn. 376A of IPC was inserted by Act 43 of 1983 providing for intercourse by a man with his wife during separation shall amount to rape.
In 1983 Sn.376B of IPC was inserted by Act 43 of 1983 providing for intercourse with public servant with woman in his custody shall amount to rape.
In 1983 Sn. 376C of IPC was inserted by Act 43 of 1983 providing for intercourse by superintendent of jail, remand home etc. shall amount to rape
In 1983 Sn.376D. of IPC was inserted by Act 43 of 1983 providing for severe punishment for Gang Rape.
In 1983 Sn.498A of IPC was inserted by Act 46 of 1983 providing punishment for husband or relative of husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty
However Act 13 of 2013 amended Sections 375, 376, 376A, 376B, 376C and 376D of IPC w.e.f. 03.02.2013 thoroughly providing severe punishments to rapists and by changing the definition of rape to wider scope.
In 1986 Sn.304B Dowry Death was inserted by Act 43 of 1986 in Indian Penal Code, 1860.

Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

In 1983, in Sn. 327(2) and 327(3) of Code of Criminal Procedure, provisions were inserted by Act 43 of 1983 that in case of rape trial, in camera proceedings to be conducted and that it shall not be lawful for any person to print or publish any matter regarding proceeding.
In 1983, Sn. 174(3) of Code of Criminal Procedure, was substituted by Act 46 of 1983 that when the case relates to a woman who dies within 7 years of her marriage, the police officer shall send the body to be examined to the nearest Civil Surgeon or other qualified medical man appointed by the Government.
In 1983, Sn. 198A of Code of Criminal Procedure was inserted by Act 46 of 1983 providing for prosecution of offence under 498A of the Indian Penal Code.

Indian Evidence Act, 1872

In 1983 Sn. 113A of Indian Evidence Act, 1872 was inserted by Act 46 of 1983 providing for the presumption as to abetment of suicide by a married woman.
In 1983 Sn. 114A of Indian Evidence Act, 1872 was inserted by Act 46 of 1983 providing that in a prosecution for rape under clause (a) or clause (b) or clause (c) or clause (d) or clause (e) or clause (g) of sub- section (2) of section 376 of the Indian Penal Code (custodial rape), where sexual intercourse by the accused is proved and the question is whether it was without the consent of the woman alleged to have been raped and she states in her evidence before the Court that she did not consent, the Court shall presume that she did not consent.
In 1986 Sn. 113B of Indian Evidence Act, 1872 was inserted by Act 43 of 1986 providing for Presumption as to dowry death.

02. Case Laws

In S. Radhakumari v. K.M.K. Nair AIR 1983 Ker 139 on 05.03.1982 Kerala high Court observed,
“And in the International Women's Year 1975, the publication under the auspices of the Indian Council of Social Science Research 'Status of Women in India', made known to the public the Report of the National Committee on the 'Status of Women in India', which pursuant to its appointment by the Government of India in 1971, examined in depth and detail many facets of that subject. The suggestions contained in Chap. IV, entitled "Women and the Law" relating to the establishment of family courts, deserve to be extracted in this context:
‘We. therefore, strongly recommend the abandonment of the established adversary system for settlement of family problems, and the establishment of family courts which will adopt conciliatory methods and informal procedure in order to achieve socially desirable results.’” This judgment has resulted in the establishment of Family Courts in the State.
Gujarat High Court in Sahyog Mahila Mandal and Anr. v. State of Gujarat and Ors. (2004) 2 GLR 1764 on 18.03.2004 has observed,
The General Assembly of the United Nations passed a Resolution on 16.12.1983 (A/RES/38/107) in its meeting No.100 reaffirming the objectives of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, bearing in mind, "the essential role of women in the welfare of the family and the development of society" and "considering that prostitution and the accompanying evil of the traffic in persons for the purpose of prostitution are incompatible with the dignity and worth of the human person and endanger the welfare of the individual, the family and the community", urged the Member States "to take all appropriate humane measures, including legislation, to combat prostitution, exploitation of the prostitution of others and all forms of traffic in persons and to provide special protection to victims of prostitution through measures including education, social guarantees and employment opportunities for those victims with a view to their rehabilitation".
A similar observation was made by the Gujarat High Court in Pramod Bhagwan Nayak v. State of Gujarat (2007) 1 GLR 796 on 22.02.2006
In J.Sharmila v. The Secretary to Government W.P.(MD)NO.13555 of 2009 dated 19.10.2010 Madras High Court observed, 
“16.Thereafter, a Commission, which was appointed during the International Women's Decade, submitted its report on National Plan of Action, 1976 identifying the areas of health, family planning, nutrition, education, employment, social welfare for formulating and implementing the action programme for women and called for action plans to improve the conditions of women in India. 
17. Subsequent to the said report, a National Perspective Plan for Women for the year 1988-2000 A.D. was prepared by the Department of Women and Child Development through the Core Group set up by the Ministry of Human Resource Development. It published its report in the year 1988” 
These judgments are the judicial acknowledgment of the importance of the UN Decade for Women. However, the Supreme Court does not seem to have noticed the importance of the Decade, as it has not only neglected the importance of the Decade, but also issued some of its antifeminist judgments as in the ill-famed Tuka Ram and Anr v. State of Maharashtra 1979 AIR 185: 1979 SCR (1) 810 (Mathura rape case).

03. Women’s Movements

With the declaration of the decade 1975-85 as the international decade for women, the Indian state responded by commissioning a report on the status of women to a group of feminist researchers and activists, which acknowledged that Indian women suffered from a range of structural inequalities and injustices. A large amount of money was channeled into women’s activities through various groups and voluntary agencies resulting in a competition between different women’s agencies and groups for these funds often causing schisms and conflicts between them.
Despite these ideological differences, the issues that had arisen in the women’s movement since 1975 were taken up by women’s groups representing all ideologies and tendencies. But because of schisms, splits and feuds, there was a feeling that the quest for unity was not only futile but also counterproductive.

04. Women - Some Statistics

Rape is a typical and representative offence committed against the dignity of women. Thus an analysis on the occurrence of rape can be safely correlated with the empowerment / vulnerability of women.  Based on the records of the National Crime Records Bureau of India, the following table showing the rape cases registered in India is prepared.

Year
Total No. of  Rape Cases Reported
Victim Age below 16
Victim Age between 17-30
Victim Age above 30
Rape per one lakh population
1971
2487
723 (29.1%)
1461 (58.7%)
303 (12.2%)
0.45
1972
2605
627 (24.1%)
1642 (63.0%)
336 (12.9%)
0.47
1973
2919
783 (26.8%)
1704 (58.4%)
432 (14.8%)
0.5
1974
2962
730 (24.6%)
1806 (61.0%)
426 (14.4%)
0.5
1975
3376
696 (20.6%)
2167 (64.2%)
513 (15.2%)
0.6
1976
3893
692 (17.8%)
2576 (66.2%)
625 (16.0%)
0.6
1977
4058
858 (21.1%)
2583 (63.7%)
618 (15.2%)
0.6
1978
4558
773 (17.0%)
3058 (67.0%)
727 (16.0%)
0.7
1979
4300
751 (17.4%)
2825 (65.7%)
726 (16.9%)
0.7
1980
5023
1032 (20.5%)
3220 (64.1%)
772 (15.4%)
0.8
1981
5409
1122 (20.7%)
3488 (64.2%)
819 (15.1%)
0.8
1982
5427
1320 (24.3%)
3188 (58.8%)
919 (16.9%)
0.8
1983
6019
1170 (19.4%)
3779 (62.8%)
1072 (17.8%)
0.8
1984
6740
1279 (19.0%)
4398 (65.2%)
1067 (15.8%)
0.9
1985
7289
1127 (15.4%)
4989 (68.4%)
1179 (16.2%)
1.0
1986
7952
1261 (15.9%)
5305 (66.7%)
1386 (17.4%)
1.0
1987
8559
1406 (16.4%)
5679 (66.4%)
1474 (17.2%)
1.1
1988
9099
2102 (23.1%)
5832 (64.1%)
1165 (12.8%)
1.1
1989
9752
2334 (23.9%)
5646 (57.9%)
1772 (18.2%)
1.2
1990
10068
2499 (24.8%)
6028 (59.9%)
1541 (15.3%)
1.2
2001
15636
5682 (36.3%)
7711 (49.3%)
2246 (14.4%)
1.6
2010
22172
5545 (25.0%)
12749 (57.4%)
3899 (17.6%)
1.9
2015
34651
5846 (16.8%)
22513 (64.7%)
6412 (18.5%)
5.7

The rape rate in India in India in 1974 was 0.5 per one lakh population. However when the International Year for Women, 1975 was declared in 1975 the rate increased to 0.6 per one lakh population. In 1985 at the end of the UN Decade for Women the rate has increased to 1.0 per one lakh population. That is, the eleven years comprising of the International Year for Women, 1975 and the UN Decade for Women 1976-1985 the rape rate has increased 100 per cent. The latest published data of 2015 reveals a rate of 5.7 per one lakh population. That is 1140 per cent increase in rape between 1974 and 2015, comprising a span of 41 years. The average increase of rape per year is 27.8% approximately. This data alone are sufficient to prove that the observance of International Year for Women, 1975 and UN Decade for Women 1976-1985 and even the present legal and social reformation have not positively influenced the dignified the status of women in India. Even the children are abused mercilessly. This naturally would lead into the conclusion that the rapist men in India are much vulgar in their dignity than their victims. The degradation in the dignity of men are a much greater threat to the dignity of women everywhere.

11. CONCLUSION

The average increase of rape per year is 27.8% approximately since 1974. This data alone are sufficient to prove that the goals of UN Decade for Women were not successful in India. The legislations during the decade However The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 1978, The Criminal Law (Second Amendment) Act, 1983 and The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 1986 were supposed to bring in considerable changes, but the result was unsatisfactory. The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013 (Act 13 of 2013) and The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018 (Act 22 of 2018) was sufficient to give teeth and claws to rape laws. The recent Supreme Court judgments legitimizing living together with consent between adults (Nandakumar and Anr. v. The State of Kerala and Ors Criminal Appeal No. 597 OF 2018), legitimizing LGBT sex under Section 377 of Indian Penal Code (Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India Writ Petition (Criminal) No. 76 of 2016), striking down the criminal offence of adultery under Section 497 of Indian Penal Code (Joseph Shine v. Union of India Writ Petition (Criminal) No. 194 of 2017), allowing entry into temples during menstrual periods (Indian Young Lawyers Association v. The State of Kerala Writ Petition (Civil) No. 373 of 2006) etc. have facilitated in the sexual freedom and equality of women in par with men. However the goals of the UN Decade for Women was not only attaining conjugal equality, but also civil, political, economic, social and cultural equalities. But such equalities can only be attainable in par with the evolution of the society. The civil, political and economic rights are not functionally increasing, but the scope of restrictions on these rights are gradually expanding and thus feminist gender justice in these aspects whether shall continue for the equality of rights can be ensured only when there is real existence of rights available without discrimination.

United Nations Resolution adopted by the General Assembly 102nd plenary meeting dated 16th December 1976 proclaimed the United Nations Decade for Women 1975-1985.
Considering that in its resolution 3520 (XXX) of 15 December 1975 it proclaimed the period from 1976 to 1985 United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, to be devoted to effective and sustained national, regional and international action to implement the World Plan of Action for the Implementation of the Objectives of the International Women's Year, and related resolutions adopted by the World Conference of the International Women's Year, held at Mexico City from 19 June to 2 July 1975,
Aware of the importance of developing and implementing without delay a programme of concrete action for the Decade,
Considering further its decision to convene in 1980 a world conference to review and evaluate progress made and, where necessary, readjust existing programmes in the light of new data and research available,
Noting with satisfaction the Programme for the United Nations Decade for Women as adopted by the Commission on the Status of Women at its twenty-sixth session and transmitted to the General Assembly by the Economic and Social Council at its resumed sixty-first session.
1. Approves the Programme for the United Nations Decade for Women, which focuses on the first half of the Decade, 1976 to 1980;
2. Urges Governments and United Nations bodies to take all necessary steps to give effect to the Programme for the Decade and to give it priority in view of the real need to attain the goals of the Decade;
3. Calls upon Governments to take measures to ensure equal and effective participation of women in political, economic, social and cultural life and in policy-making at local, national, regional and international levels, thereby increasing their role in international co-operation and in the strengthening of peace;
4. Recommends that Governments should establish machinery, where appropriate, which could include governmental and non-governmental agencies, bureaux and commissions, in order to ensure the effective implementation and evaluation of the World Plan of Action and of the Programme for the Decade within the framework of national development plans and regional policies;
5. Recommends further that Governments, in co-operation with the Secretary-General, the specialized agencies, the regional commissions, appropriate regional and international research centres and institutes as well as appropriate intergovernmental bodies, should undertake the organization of training courses and seminars whereby officials responsible for the formulation and implementation of national development plans would study multidisciplinary techniques and methods which can be utilized in effectively integrating women in development;
6. Invites, as a matter of priority, Governments and organizations and bodies of the United Nations system as well as all governmental and non-governmental organizations concerned and the mass media to undertake massive public information programmes with a view to making all sectors of the population aware of the need to implement fully the Programme for the Decade;
7. Requests the Secretary-General to take fully into account the financial and staff needs required to implement effectively the World Plan of Action and the Programme for the Decade;
8. Requests the Secretary-General to prepare, for the consideration of the General Assembly at its thirty-second session, a report on the measures taken to implement the present resolution, in particular paragraphs 4, 5 and 6 above, as well as a progress report on other measures taken to implement the World Plan of Action and the Programme for the Decade.


[i] 19 June-2 July 1975
[ii] 14-30 July 1980
[iii] 15-26 July 1985

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