“We need women at all levels, including the top, to change the dynamic, reshape the conversation, to make sure women’s voices are heard and heeded, not overlooked and ignored.” – Sheryl Sandberg
Background In the Stone Age period, women had equal status and power with men. But then they started facing some difficulties during the post-Vedic and epic ages. It was observed that right from the early 20th twenty (national movement), the status of women had been changing gradually and this credit goes to the British people. It is only after the Independence of India, under the able leadership of Dr. Ambedkar, the constitutional makers and national leaders started strongly demanding and also reiterating the equal social position of women with men.
Today, it is overwhelming to see that a good proportionate of women in India are in respectable positions in all walks of the field. But the various events and incidents that have been happening in the country for two squares reveal clearly that women are discriminated against, abused, tortured, and harassed both in public and in families. From ancient times, men is considered the leading member of a particular family. They have all the liabilities for food, water, clothes, and so on. Thus, they have the right to make the decisions for the family. On the other hand, women have the responsibilities for the households work and upbringing of the children. This shows gender discrimination. Women were not involved in making decisions for the family. The Government of India declared 2001 as the Year of Women’s Empowerment (Swashakti). The National Policy for The Empowerment of Women was passed in 2001. Meaning of women empowerment This term is a combination of two words such as women and empowerment. It is the procedure that includes providing power to women for achieving a prosperous life. It can be in the field of education, profession and way of living, and so on. The main aspect is to make the decisions for the family without any limitations and restrictions. Then we can say, women are empowered. It signifies that women should be given equal opportunity in every field, irrespective of any discrimination.
Women’s empowerment is the most crucial point for the overall development of a country. For instance, there is a family where is one earning person, while in another family, both men and women are earning, then, the question arises, who will have a better lifestyle. Why Women Empowerment? From the earlier times, women were ill-treated, for example, The satipratha, the girl child abortion, Rape, attack, dowry demand, domestic violence, and child labor, etc. This misbehavior with women is still happening in our country. Out of the all population, almost 50%, of the population should comprise of women. In any case, because of female foeticide rehearses, the proportion of young girl kids is diminishing in India. Steps to Empower Women Women can be empowered in various ways. It can be done through government schemes as well as on an individual basis. At the individual level, we should start respecting women and start giving them opportunities equal to men. We should promote and encourage them to take up jobs, higher education, business activities, etc.
The Government has come up with various schemes such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Yojana, Mahila-E-Haat, Mahila Shakti Kendra, Working Women Hostel, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, etc. to empower women. Apart from these schemes, we as individuals can also empower women by abolishing social evils like the dowry system, child marriage. These small steps will change the situation of women in society and make them feel empowered. Conclusion Need for Women Empowerment in India is the most vital point for the general advancement of the nation. Assume, in a family, there is one acquiring individual, while in another family, the two people are procuring, at that point who will have a superior way of life. The appropriate response is basic, the family where the two people are bringing in cash. Along these lines, the nation where people cooperate creates at a quicker rate. As the times evolved, women realized their power. There began the revolution for women empowerment.
By Dr. Neelam
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