Power to our Women!!
Women play a strategic role in the development of society and economy. Women contribute directly or indirectly to economic. The genetic power of reproduction is given especially to the women but still the socio-economic status of women is poor. Thus empowering women is the solution.
Empowerment means to increase the educational, social, economic, political, gender, or spiritual strength of individuals and communities.Women empowerment means to create an atmosphere where women can have a common platform so they can take their own decision on their personal development and be equal in the society. It is the law that has to implement Women Empowerment to a greater extent.Regarding the Indian Constitution the principle of gender equality is enlightened in its Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties, Preamble and Directive Principles. During the early Vedic Period women had equal position and rights. Later around 500 B.C the position of women started to decline. Thus women were ill-treated and there were evils like Child Marriage, Dowry system, Female foeticide and infanticide. The people of the past may have made these customs with some other intention, but there oppressor have changed it and made them into evils practises. E.g. the child marriage also known as Bal- Vivaha came into place due to various reasons like Political turmoil in which sultans forced people to follow their ways and formed the practise of Child marriage which lowered the status of women further. Military alliances as in the Indian feudalistic society, children were the assurance of the alliance. The caste system was also one of the reasons for the child marriage as it ensured that there is no marriage out of the caste and thus the caste system continues. Social reason for child marriage was due to the fact to protect girls against rapes and abduction by foreign rulers. To strength family relations, bonds and Grandparents wanted to see their grandchildren before their death. To get accustomed to the practices in her in-laws house as it would not cause any differences in future and the girl would live happy after marriage.
Benefits of women empowerment, as most of the world’s poor population are represented by women so empowering them will reduce the global poverty. Female participation in groups, counsels and businesses have shown notable increase efficiency a study found that companies who have women members on their board’s panel, showed to have higher financial returns.In the 19th century European scholars observed that Indian women are faithful, naturally innocent, and more virtuous than other women. Rajaram Mohan Roy, Jyotirao Phule, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, etc. worked for upliftment of condition of women in India.
Raja Rammohan Roy efforts in 1829 resulted in the abolition of the practice of “Sati ?abolition of the practice of „Sati? (which a recently widowed woman immolates herself on her husband’s funeral pyre.) Mahatma Gandhi said “You educate a man, you educate an individual. You educate a woman, you educate an entire family”. Education is needed for women empowerment. In India more than 80% of adult men are educated, only around 65 % of adult women are known to be literate. In 2001 government of India declared the year as the Year of Women’s Empowerment (Swashakti) and passed the National Policy for the Empowerment of Women. 2005, the Hindu law of inheritance, women have right of having share in ancestral property. Domestic Violence Act, 2005. Women’s Reservation Bill (108 amendment of constitution) , ensuring 33 % seats were reserved for women in Parliament and State Legislative bodies on 9th March, 2010. 108 amendment saw around 1 million women in the decision making process and seat reserved for them. Still they are under-represented in governance and decision making positions. Our neighbouring country has a higher percentage of women in the decision making process around 13 to 14%. To empower a female does it sound like were are ignoring males, no the truth is, both genders need to be equally empowered. There are barriers which create hindrance in the development for women empowerment like certain cultural norm that make women feel being treated inferior to man. Studies have shown that women face barriers in workplace like unfair hiring, Career progression, unequal pay and other etc.
Swami Vivekananda once said “arise away and stop not until the goal is reached “The Government of India are doing its part by implementation of the Acts, Policies, Rules, Regulations, etc. but we also have to play are part in it. Stop Discrimination against women, Domestic Violence against women, gender Biased etc.
Women Empowerment—> Decision making ability—> Quality of participation —> Enhanced Performance —> Women’s Development
As the growing access of the World Wide Web, women began to use the social networking site like Facebook and Twitter to start online activism. But all things have a bright and dark side.The internet increased exploitation of women. The personal information of women on the internet has put personal safety at risk. This includes harassment, online pornography, cyber stalking and flaming or bashing.Women empowerment is not a distant objective or Goal, Let us move ahead with determination, Respect the Girl Child, and let women make an earning. Come let us all come together and help in Women Empowerment.
