The women still observe purdah, at least among certain communities. In
former days, purdah was observed quite rigidly. It is now considerably
relaxed mainly due to economic causes. It is still observed in certain
forms. Village girls cover their heads while daughter-in-law cover their
face in the presence of elderly persons in the house or outside. The position
is different in urban areas. with the spread of education, social barriers
against the employment of women in offices are collapsing rapidly. Women
are increasingly replacing men in many fields or participating with them
in parallel fields of social work, arts and crafts. Working women still
occupy a subordinate position in social life but they do not observe purdah.
