Under this slogan 'she' has been struggling hard for centuries, to win recognition of her rights as well as her 'Dignity' and 'Honor'. Discrimination and petty tyrannies to which she has been subjected is quite a sad chapter of human history, even till date 'the fight' is not over. The homage that society pays to women has always been considered a pertinent yardstick to measure the standard of civilization. The test of every civilization is thus the estimate of woman and for this reason she has always remained in the limelight of human history. Years ago 'she' used to be buried in earth; today she has to burry her soul with all the yearnings, dreams and emotions under the soil of taboos, social restraints and boundaries. Every now and then she has to flap her fragile wings of intentions in order to break the cage of unnecessary restrictions. Despite holding 'paradise' beneath her feet, she has to muster up enough courage to take single step towards her heaven of ecstasy and bliss. Much has been talked and written about emancipation of women, in the context of freedom wave all over the world. Practically, in every existing society, advanced or backward, feminist movements are fighting against bounteous built_in_male prejudice.

According to Socrates:

"Once made equal to man;
Woman becomes his superior."

The Greeks and the Romans accorded a lofty place and esteem to the members of the 'fair sex' and treated them as tender vessel, they were respected and adored as many of their mythological figures happened to be goddesses like Aurora, Athena, Venus, Diana, Minerva, Muse, and Flora were the eminent goddesses amongst them. But on the contrary, she was also regarded as great hindrance in attaining 'salvation'. In accordance with Buddhism 'Nirvana' (salvation), which is the ultimate goal of human life, cannot be accomplished in the company of woman. Life, as stated; by Buddhism, is like an enchanting young lady dancer that comes before man in stunning clothes and allures sin.

The orthodox Christians believe woman, as the origin of all sins, for it was Eve who, enticed Adam to commit the first sin of eating the prohibited fruit - the cause of the 'Great Fall'. The entire Christian religious philosophy is based on the same concept of 'Original Sin', which it attributes to woman. Many moons ago in Greece, 'she' became the cause of a devastating combat, took place in the city of Troy. The purpose of this invasion was the release of Helen, the princess of Troy, who was kidnapped by neighboring king.

The battle lasted for ten years and turned the city of Troy into ashes. While here in India Sita was abducted by Rawan and was released by Ram, his husband, after an immense catastrophe in Lanka.

The Hindus have glorified womanhood in the persona of Sita ; and their sense of worship is symbolized in their goddesses Laxmi, Saraswati (goddess of learning), Durga, Parwati, Hollika and Mahadevi while Goppis of Krishna illustrate the sense of devotion of woman towards man. However, strict orthodox Hinduism assigned a low position to women. Manu, ancient Indian lawgiver says:

"In childhood must a female be dependent on her father, in youth on her husband; a woman must never seeks independence."

Cruel rituals like 'sati' prevailed in Hindu society for long time. The picture of woman in pre-Islamic Arab civilization was no less bleak and shocking. To be a woman was considered to be a great crime. Parents were ashamed of owing female children and girl infants were, thus, buried alive. Women were treated just as means of diversion and carnal pleasure. Amongst the great religions over the globe, Islam perhaps is the only one which has made serious and concerted efforts to place women at a respectable pedestal in society. As a fundament principle of its system, Islam holds that " woman is a human being" and she has a soul similar to that of man. This men and women are quiet equal to each other in their origin, their abode as well as in their place of return and are a such entitled to similar and equal rights. Islam gave her the right to life, to honor, and to property like men. She is a respectable being and it is not permissible for any one to find fault with her or backbite her. No one is permitted to spy on her or hold her in contempt due to her functions as a woman. Regarding her status, Islam recognizes an independent economic position of woman and gave her the right to own property, use, and enjoy it her own right without any intermediary trustee or mediator. Not only this but in the most important problem of her life i-e, marriage as well as her independent status was established. She could not be given in marriage without her assent; no marriage was valid unless she agreed to it. The Holy Prophet says:

"No widow should be married without
Consulting her, and no virgin be married
Without her assent, and her assent is
Her silence."

Even then, she has been unable to gain freedom of thought, action and resistance. In the guise of sacrifice, she's being exploited by society, and is compelled to compromise in all maters of life. She has to surrender her blithe, aspirations and sentiments on the threshold of social altar. Until, they will not be aware of their hidden qualities, potentials and abilities, they will be remained unable to get an empowerment.

Nevertheless, in this era twenty 1st century woman is fully equipped with all sorts of rudiments in order to test her mettle, all set; to explore new dimensions, to conquer altogether new horizons in certain fields. All the hindrances and manacles prove intangible in front of their determination, conviction and endurance.

Today's woman is completely aware of her worth, knows very well, how to make a distinct place. By putting all the barriers on both sides, she makes a smooth pavement for advancement, and no matter how much fraught it is, with thorns and weeds; slow and steadily she manages her marathon. Whiles morality, chastity and dignity serve as torchbearers for such an advancing caravan towards their gleaming destination. They just have to follow, the pithy verses of Robert Frost replete with ample meanings:

"Woods are lovely, dark and deep'
But I have promise to keep
And miles to go before I sleep
And miles to go before I sleep."

By
EMMA ALAM.