Globalisation means different things to different people. Economists consider it as a step towards a fully integrated world market. Some political scientists view it as a march away from the conventionally defined concept of the state. The sovereignty of the state is challenged with the emergence of non-governmental power players in the world order. Globalisation is not an event, rather a process which originated with the liberalisation and privatisation of the economic sectors. It aims for the establishment of a borderless world.

Effects of globalization on women in India

Positive Impacts

• Women have more jobs, become more active in avenues generally reserved for men, have played a more prominent role in society and not just restricted to the household. It has affected both the quantity and the quality of work available to the majority of women in India.
• Globalisation has posed a major challenge to the institution of patriarchy in India. As women take up jobs and achieve social mobility, they have also begun to stand up for their rights.
• Marrying within the same caste has become less important, and women have in many cases reserved the right to marry whoever they choose irrespective of caste
• As countries come closer, and boundaries disappear in the globalised world, women in India are inspired by women the world over to fight for their rights.
• Prospects of higher and quality education have become feasible for those women who can afford them, economically and socially
• With changing attitude towards women, especially in the urban areas, women enjoy more egalitarian set of gender relationship.
• Attitudinal changes towards women’s role in the family due to good education, benefits of family planning and health care, child care, good job opportunities etc. will surely help in the development of more confident and healthy women.

Negative Impacts

• Globalization has increased the number of low paid, part time and exploitative jobs for women.
• With increasing nuclear families, the older women’s life has become pitiable, sometimes spending their later days in old age homes and isolation.
• The feminization of population has further aggravated this problem.
• Similarly, male migration from rural areas to urban centres has put the women under triple burden of home making, farming and job in rural sector.
• At the same time, migration of women for economic reasons has led to increased exploitation including sexual exploitation and trafficking.

The most important issues stand as those pertaining to marriage, children, abortion, crimes against women, and inheritance. Crimes like rape, kidnapping, eve teasing and indecent exposure can be grouped as crimes against women. The roles of women in India have been changing and they are now emerging from the past traditions into a new era of freedom and rights.