Women Safety & Gender Justice in Traditional Texts of India vis-à-vis SDG 5 (Gender Equality)

The question of women’s safety and gender justice in India cannot be separated from its long civilizational history. For centuries, social attitudes and norms have been influenced by traditional texts such as the Vedas, Upanishads, Smritis, and epics. These texts do not present a single clear picture of women’s status; instead, they show a mix of respect and restriction that has changed over time. In the early Vedic period, women seem to have held a comparatively respected place in society. They were not limited only to household duties but were also involved in learning, religious practices, and intellectual discussions. Some women had access to education and were able to take part in important social and spiritual activities. In certain cases, they even exercised a degree of personal choice in matters like marriage. This suggests that early traditions were not completely restrictive and, in some ways, reflected ideas of dignity and participation that are similar to the principles behind Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5). However, this position did not remain the same. As time passed, especially during the later Vedic and Smriti periods, society became more structured and patriarchal. Women’s roles were gradually confined to the domestic sphere, and their independence was reduced. Social and legal rules began to stress obedience, modesty, and dependence on male authority. Women’s identity became closely linked to their roles within the family, and their participation in public and intellectual life declined significantly. The epics also show this mixed reality—women are often portrayed as strong and virtuous, yet at the same time expected to follow strict duties and make sacrifices. When we compare these traditional ideas with the goals of SDG 5, certain limitations become clear. SDG 5 focuses on equality, empowerment, and freedom from violence, but traditional systems often viewed women’s safety in terms of protection under male guardianship rather than as an independent right. This difference highlights the gap between older social structures and modern expectations. Even so, it would not be correct to treat traditional texts as completely opposed to gender justice. They also contain positive elements that recognize women’s dignity and participation. The real need today is not to reject tradition, but to understand and reinterpret it in a way that matches constitutional values like equality, dignity, and individual freedom. By doing so, it becomes possible to respect cultural heritage while also moving towards a more fair and inclusive society.