WOMEN EMPOWERMENT IN INDIA

Mr.S.Kather Meeran*, Assistant Professor, Dr.Zakir Husain College,

Ilayangudi.
Dr.P.Murugesan, Associate Professor and Head, Department of Business
Administration, M.K.U.College, Madurai
ABSTRACT
Women's Empowerment entails enhancing the social, economic, political, and
legal standing of women, ensuring their equal rights, and fostering the
confidence needed to assert these rights. The crux of the issue lies in the deeply
ingrained patriarchal and male-dominated societal structures, which relegate
women to subordinate roles and employ various methods to exert control over
them. The imperative is to educate and sensitize male members of society
regarding women's issues, fostering a sense of unity and equality among all,
thereby dismantling discriminatory practices against women. To achieve this
transformation, concerted efforts are required not only from the government but
also from numerous non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and conscientious
citizens. Commencing at home, we must empower the female members of our
families by affording them equal opportunities in education, healthcare,
nutrition, and decision-making, devoid of any bias. True empowerment of
women is essential for India to emerge as a potent and progressive nation.

INTRODUCTION
Women's empowerment entails enhancing and enhancing the social, economic,
political, and legal status of women. Its goal is to ensure equal rights for women
and cultivate the confidence necessary for them to assert these rights. This
includes the following:
 Enabling women to lead their lives with self-worth, respect, and dignity.
 Granting women complete autonomy over their lives, both within and
outside their homes and workplaces.
 Allowing women to make their own choices and decisions.
 Affording women equal rights to participate in social, religious, and
public activities.
 Elevating women to equal social status within society.
 Advocating for women's rights to social and economic justice.
 Empowering women to determine their financial and economic choices.
 Providing women with equal opportunities for education.
  Ensuring women receive fair employment opportunities without gender
bias.
 Creating safe and comfortable working environments for women.
In essence, women's empowerment is a multifaceted endeavor that seeks to
create a society where women have equal rights, opportunities, and the
confidence to participate fully in all aspects of life.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The objectives are to examine the significance of women's empowerment in
India and to assess the government's policies and initiatives aimed at promoting
women's empowerment in the country.
WHY WOMEN EMPOWERMENT IS IMPORTANT?
The importance of women's empowerment is underscored by several
compelling reasons:
Addressing Underemployment and Unemployment: Women comprise roughly
50% of the global population, yet a significant portion of them face
unemployment or underemployment. This imbalance in workforce participation
hinders the global economy.
Recognizing Competence and Intelligence: Women exhibit equal competence
and intelligence as men, excelling in various socio-economic activities, often
surpassing men.
Unleashing Talent: Women possess talents on par with men, but historically,
limited access to higher education hindered the realization of their full potential.
Today, increased educational opportunities enable women to showcase their
talents, benefiting not only them but also society at large.
Fostering Overall Societal Development: Women's empowerment contributes to
the holistic development of society. The income generated by women doesn't
just benefit them and their families but also fuels societal progress.
Economic Advantages: Women's empowerment enhances economic prosperity,
as they actively participate in the workforce, contributing to the nation's
economy and gaining financial independence.
Reducing Domestic Violence: Empowered women are less susceptible to
domestic violence, as education and awareness empower them to assert their
rights.
Fighting Corruption: Women's empowerment can be instrumental in combating
corruption. Educated and empowered women are more likely to be aware of
their rights and duties, potentially curbing corrupt practices.
Poverty Alleviation: Empowered women can help lift their families out of
poverty by supplementing household income, reducing the economic strain on
male breadwinners.
National Development: Women's active participation in various sectors,
including medicine, social services, and engineering, contributes significantly to
national development.
Irreplaceable Contributions: Women are often irreplaceable in certain roles and
professions, adding to the diversity and efficiency of the workforce.
women's empowerment is pivotal not only for gender equality but also for
societal, economic, and national progress. Recognizing and promoting women's
rights and opportunities is a fundamental step towards a more equitable and
prosperous world.

Social Empowerment of Women

This policy outlines a comprehensive approach to the social empowerment of

women, addressing various facets of their well-being:
Education:
 Ensuring equal access to education for women and girls.
 Eradicating discrimination and creating a gender-sensitive educational
system.
 Improving enrollment and retention rates for girls.
 Developing gender-sensitive curricula to combat gender stereotypes.
Health:
 Prioritizing women's health throughout their life cycle, including nutrition
and healthcare.
 Reducing infant and maternal mortality.
 Ensuring access to comprehensive, affordable, and quality healthcare.
 Addressing reproductive rights and vulnerabilities to health issues,
including infectious diseases and HIV/AIDS.
Nutrition:
  Addressing the nutritional needs of women across all life stages.
 Tackling macro and micronutrient deficiencies among pregnant and
lactating women.
 Ending intra-household discrimination in nutritional matters through
education and participation.
 Recognizing and utilizing women's traditional knowledge about
healthcare and nutrition.
Drinking Water and Sanitation:
 Providing safe drinking water, sewage disposal, toilets, and sanitation
accessible to households, especially in rural and urban slums.
 Ensuring women's participation in planning, delivery, and maintenance of
these services.
Housing and Shelter:
 Incorporating women's perspectives in housing policies and planning.
 Providing safe and adequate housing for various categories of women.
 Recognizing the housing needs of single women, working women,
students, and others.
Environment:
 Involving women in environmental policies and programs.
 Ensuring women's participation in conservation and control of
environmental degradation.
 Promoting non-conventional energy resources, involving women in their
utilization, and reducing rural women's drudgery.
Science and Technology:
 Encouraging women's participation in science and technology.
 Promoting girls' interest in these fields.
 Developing appropriate technologies tailored to women's needs.
 Enhancing women's skills in communication and information technology.
Women in Difficult Circumstances:
 Providing special assistance to disadvantaged groups of women.
 Addressing the needs of women in extreme poverty, conflict situations, or
those affected by natural calamities.
 Supporting disabled women, widows, elderly women, and single women
facing challenges.
 Addressing issues such as marital violence, desertion, and prostitution.
This policy underscores the commitment to empower women across various
domains of life, acknowledging their diversity and unique needs while aiming
for their holistic development and inclusion in societal progress.
GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES FOR WOMEN
EMPOWERMENT
The advancements and empowerment achieved by women are primarily the
result of their relentless efforts and struggles, although government initiatives
also play a supporting role in their endeavors.
In 2001, the Government of India introduced the National Policy for the
Empowerment of Women, which delineates specific objectives:
Fostering an Enabling Environment: To create a favorable environment through
positive economic and social policies that enable women to reach their full
potential.
Equal Enjoyment of Rights: To ensure that women can enjoy all human rights
and fundamental freedoms on an equal basis with men across political,
economic, social, cultural, and civil spheres.
Participation and Decision-Making: To provide women with equal access to
participate in and influence the decision-making processes in political,
economic, and social spheres.
Access to Opportunities: To grant women equal access to healthcare, quality
education, career guidance, employment, fair compensation, occupational
safety, social security, and public life.
Legal Empowerment: To strengthen legal systems aimed at eliminating all
forms of discrimination against women.
Changing Societal Norms: To transform societal attitudes and practices through
active participation and engagement of both women and men.
Gender Perspective in Development: To incorporate a gender perspective into
the development process.
Eliminating Discrimination and Violence: To eradicate discrimination and all
forms of violence against women and girls.
Partnerships with Civil Society: To build and reinforce collaborations with civil
society organizations, particularly women's groups.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development serves as the primary agency
responsible for women's welfare, development, and empowerment. It has
devised various schemes and programs spanning a wide spectrum of women's
needs, including shelter, security, legal aid, justice, information, maternal health,
nutrition, economic sustainability through skill development, education, access
to credit, and marketing.
Several noteworthy schemes and programs have been established, such as
Swashakti, Swayamsidha, STEP, and Swawlamban, which aim to enhance
economic empowerment. Support services are provided through initiatives like
Working Women Hostels and Creches. Additionally, Swadhar and Short Stay
Homes offer protection and rehabilitation for women facing challenging
circumstances. The Ministry extends its support to autonomous bodies like the
National Commission, Central Social Welfare Board, and Rashtriya Mahila
Kosh, which are dedicated to the welfare and development of women.
The Ministry places special emphasis on facilitating women's economic
sustenance through skill development, education, and access to credit and
marketing.
In conclusion, women in India have made remarkable strides, driven by their
unwavering determination and aided by constitutional provisions and
government welfare programs. Their increasing participation in both public and
private sector employment, socio-political activities, and decision-making
bodies is a positive sign. However, it's crucial to acknowledge that we are yet to
achieve the equality and justice championed by the Constitution's preamble.
The root of the issue lies in the deeply ingrained patriarchal and male-
dominated societal norms that subordinate women and employ various means of
subjugation. The solution lies in educating and sensitizing male members of
society regarding women's issues, fostering a sense of unity and equality. To
achieve this, efforts are not limited to the government; they must also come
from NGOs and enlightened citizens.
The journey toward gender equality begins at home, where we must empower
female family members by affording them equal opportunities in education,
healthcare, nutrition, and decision-making, devoid of any bias. It's imperative to
recognize that India's true potential as a powerful nation can only be realized
through the genuine empowerment of its women.
REFERENCES
 Dhameja S K (2002) , Women Entrepreneurs : Opportunities,
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 Rao Padala Shanmukha (2007) "Entrepreneurship Development among
Women : A case study of self help Groups in Srikakulam District, Andhra
Pradesh" The Icfai Journal of Entrepreneurship Development Vol.1V
No. 1
 Vasant Desai, “Small-scale Industries and Entrepreneurship”, Himalaya
Publishing House.