Sociological Study about Public Behaviour Towards Women in Uniform in Indian Context

India is the country a witnessing rapid growth in economic, military, technology, social etc. Availability of better medical facilities has catalyzed rapid growth of population. At the same time the education and social renaissance has improved the female sex ratio and girls education. The half population is demanding its fair share in this competitive world. Their claim is rightly supported by various government policies and acts.

The Indian society to some extent accepted a woman role in in-office desk job. But their employment in a uniform service has presented mixed response devoid of uniformity. The Indian women starting from mythological warrior queen Kaikeyi in Ramayana to medieval Razia sultan to Queen of Jhansi though paved the way for acceptance but not enough for the fair approval of a woman wearing uniform.

The societal behaviour affected by cultural, social, historical, economical factors towards women has evolved with time but still having complexity in larger terms judging them in front of respect, scrutiny, observation, gender stereotype, performance etc.

Present ratio of Indian women is 12 pc in police, 0.56 pc in Army, 1.08 pc in Air force and 6.5 pc in Navy. The government has vowed for 33 pc induction of women in Indian paramilitary forces. The numbers may be increasing but the public or co-worker’s attitudinal issues are same. They range from physical and emotional stereotyping, double standard, over-scrutiny, harassment, sexual objectivism etc.

This study aims at bringing forward various problems related to women in uniform serving in different dimensions, combat or non-combat, attitudinal perspective practical issues faced by them