In our country women still lag much behind men despite some improvements since Independence. Women face disadvantage, discrimination and oppression in various ways:
(i) The literacy rate among women is only 54 per cent as compared with 76 per cent among men.

(ii) Similarly, a smaller proportion of girl student goes for higher studies. Girls are performing as well as boys in school. But they drop out because parents prefer to spend their resources for their boys' education rather than spending equally on their sons and daughters.

(iii) The proportion of if women among the highest, paid and valued jobs is still very small. On an average, an Indian woman works one hour more than an average man every day.

(iv) The Equal Wages Act provides that equal wages should be paid to equal work. However in almost all areas of work, from sports and cinema to factories and fields, women are paid less than men/ even when both do exactly the same work.

(v) In many parts of India, parents prefer to have sons and find ways to have the girl child aborted before she is born. Such sex-selective abortion led to a decline in child sex ratio.

(vi) Woman face harassment, exploitation and violence on the domestic front.

Indian women have been facing several problems that have been affecting their social status for a long time. The problems faced by Indian women are deeply rooted in the cultural, social, and economic fabric of the country. Here are five points that explain the problems faced by Indian women that affect their social status:

1. Gender Inequality: Gender inequality is the root cause of problems faced by Indian women. Women in India have been discriminated against since ancient times. They are not given equal opportunities and rights as men. This inequality affects their social status as most women are considered inferior to men.

2. Violence against Women: Violence against women is a common problem in India. Women are subjected to various forms of violence such as domestic violence, sexual harassment, rape, and dowry deaths. Such violence leads to physical and psychological trauma, which affects their social status.

3. Lack of Education: Women in India, especially in rural areas, are deprived of education. The lack of education affects their social status as they are not able to participate in decision-making processes and do not have the necessary skills to earn a livelihood.

4. Child Marriage: Child marriage is prevalent in India, especially in rural areas. Girls are married off at a young age, which affects their social status as they are not able to complete their education and are forced to take up household responsibilities.

5. Limited Access to Healthcare: Women in India have limited access to healthcare. They are not able to get timely medical attention, which affects their health and well-being. This, in turn, affects their social status as they are not able to participate in social and economic activities.

In conclusion, the problems faced by Indian women are deeply ingrained in the social, cultural, and economic fabric of the country. Addressing these problems requires a concerted effort from the government, civil society organizations, and individuals to ensure equal opportunities and rights for women.