“To be liberated, women must feel free to be herself, not in rivalry to man but in the context of her own capacity and her personality” said by former Indian Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi. What does empowerment mean? It is a process which gives power to individuals over their own lives, in their society and in their communities. However, empowerment in context of women is an excise to enhance their educational, economic, social and health status.
Women empowerment is made up of the world, for giving authority and power of women. It mainly refers to practice to making women independent, so that they can make their own decisions as well as handle their lives without any restrictions. The main motive of women empowerment is to help stand equally with men, a giving women the ability to live a happy and respectful life in society.
Women are empowered when they have unrestricted access to chance in education, profession and life style. Empowering women is most important factor in a country’s overall growth. “Need for Women Empowerment” women are highly regarded during Vedic period were treated with respect, education and gratitude with time. The conservative British and middle eastern cultures are finished Indian Culture. As a result, women power and dignity were diminished. Finally, women gradually regained their last power after Independence.
The most Important step to be taken for women empowerment is ‘literacy and education’. According to the Mahama Gandhi (The Father of Our Nation) said “If you educate a man, you educate a women, you educate an entire family”. A well-educated women is a confident, outspoken and able to make decisions. Now women are everywhere, the country has its first female Prime Minister and President. It has many prominent female athletics, scientists, artists, etc. Especially the country like India the women get chance and they can become role models for others like Former female Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, former female IPS officer Kiran Bedi. In most IT Companies and leading business firms, the top most position are occupied by women. They inspire the under privileged once to try hard and become successful in life.
Women were always victimized from the ‘Sati Pratha’ in ancient time, to abortion of girl child in the current day, women are faced to abuse the entire environment. Furthermore, many crimes against women such as violence, chemical attack, dowry system crime, family abuse and so on. Dowry is also one of the biggest barriers, when it comes to women empowerment. In many parts of the country, dowry system has not only made women a burden on their families, but has also increased a case of violence against them.
The girl literacy rate is extremely low compared to boys. The majority of girls do not receive primary education. It is compulsory for the balanced growth of life cycle of society, 50% of the population should be women due to the female feticide practices, the number of girls children in India rapidly declined impacting on India sex ratio. Girls are pressured to marry at a young age and are expected to raise children while doing only homework. They are not permitted to leave the house and are controlled by their husbands, men take women for granted because they regard them as property, due to gender bias in health and nutrition there is unusually high maternal mortality rate.
Despite this, there are several challenges that are hindering the growth of women. Women constitute 48.5% of total population of India, according 2011 census. However, their contribution to national GDP is very low. India is a country where goddess like Saraswathi, Maha Lakshmi, Durga are worshipped, but at the same time the country also witnesses to considerable instances of women harassment.
Fundamental Rights have been enshrined in the Indian Constitution, which are central to women empowerment. In addition to the above there are several laws which have been enacted by Parliament to empower Indian women. In 2023 Women Reservation Act(128th Constitutional Amendment Act) was introduced in Lok Sabha on September 2023. The Bill seeks to reserve 33% women of the total number of seats in Lok Sabha and State Legislative assembly foe women. The bill has introduced a new article such as Article 330A, 332A and 334A in the constitution. The special majority of the 128th Amendment Bill 2023 such as the majority of the total members of each house in legislative assembly, A majority of 2/3 of the House present and Voting. Observing the growth contribution of women in every sector, the Bill aims to include more of them in policy making, decision making and vital step towards gender equality.
How to provide Women Empowerment.
There are various ways to improve the status of women such as.
- Women must be treated with equality in all field such as Research, office, etc and they must be paid equality.
- Mostly women must abandon the guilt of relationship women are frighted of social pressure, they suffer from domestic violence, its parent’s responsibility is to make their daughter feel comfortable.
- Equal opportunities in all sectors should be provided to them, even few sector where only men to hold the top position.
- Education after marriage should be normalized in lot of marriage take place for females just after their graduation female should be encouraged to continue with their education after marriage.
The government of India has taken various schemes for Women Empowerment.
- “She box,” which is sexual harassment electronic box, enables women employees to file complaints related to sexual harassment at workplace.
- One stop Centre and Universalization of women Helpline
- “Beti bachao beti padhao” is for ensuring survival, protection and education of girl child.
- “Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan” for rural sanitation, and improving health outcomes through POSHAN Abhiyan and Ujjwala scheme.
- The government made it essential that 33% beneficiaries must be women in MGNREGA.
- “Mahila Samridhi Yojna” ensures economic empowerment of women.
- The government promoted and made special efforts to increase the number of women in our police and paramilitary forces. It is a good move for giving a push to empowerment of women in various fields which were considered only for men till now.
- Recently ‘Ahilya Gang’ was constituted by Central Railway in Mumbai division. All 10 members are women in this team.
- Union Ministry of Women and Child Development has collaborated with Facebook to enhance digital literacy and online safety for women and children in India. This programme is named as: “We Think Digital”.
- To create awareness about women’s education, the Union Government has launched “Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan”, “Operation Black Board,”etc. Education will reduce child marriages that are still practiced in some parts of India.
On a parallel note, International Women’s Day is celebrated across the globe on March 8 every year. It gives us an opportunity to celebrate the shining examples of women who proved that they are second to none. Also, “Mahila Shakti Puraskar” is given to strengthen the role and position of women in society.
Thus, to develop India as a superpower the development of women is equally important and it should be a priority to give women and equal opportunities in all sectors. India has come a long way in empowering women but many milestones are yet to be crossed.
In Conclusion Women Empowerment plays on essential role in a social and economic development of the nation. It removes the obstruction to women progress and free their minds making them able to take decisions.
By: ARCHANAA P
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