Women empowerment is an agenda to uplifting the status of women so that they can gain control over their lives, set their own agenda and make strategic life choices.
Women
empowerment is an agenda to uplifting the status of women so that they can gain
control over their lives, set their own agenda and make strategic life choices.
It involves increasing women’s access to resources, knowledge, skills, and
enhancing decision-making power while promoting self-reliance and removing
constraints that impede women’s ability to self-determination. According to the
European Institute for Gender Equality, women’s empowerment encompasses five
main elements: (1) women’s self-esteem and self value; (2) their entitlement to
make and control decisions; (3) their access to opportunities and resources;
(4) their authority to manage their lives, both in personal and public spheres;
and (5) their capacity to impact social progress towards a fairer social and
economic structure on both local and global scales.
The
Reservation of Seats for Women in Parliament and State Assembly Bill which was
introduced in 1996, 1998, 1999, and 2008 failed, and it became an Act only in
2023. Even then, it is yet to benefit women population of the country. The 106th
Amendment Act, 2023, popularly known as the Women’s Reservation Act, 2023 (Nari
Sakti Vandan Adhiniyam), was introduced in Lok Sabha on 19th September
2023 during the special session of Parliament. This bill was passed by both the
Houses of Parliament but it will be effective only after the next census is
conducted. Based on the census, delimitation will be undertaken to reserve
seats for women. The reservation will be provided for a period of 15 years.
However, it shall continue till such date as determined by law made by
Parliament. It is reported that women seat reservations will not be possible
before 2029.
In
the 17th Lok Sabha (2019), there were 78 women Members of Parliament
i.e. 16%, whereas in the 18th Lok Sabha (2024), the number has
reduced to 74 women Member of Parliament i.e. 14% only. When we look at Manipur
State Assembly, out of 60 members there are only 5 women representatives, i.e.
only 8.33%. Meghalaya is a matriarchal society but only 5.08% women representatives
are in the state assembly, while Nagaland has two women legislators in
60-member assembly, accounting for only 3.33%. From this figures, both in the
parliament and state assembly, we can draw a conclusion if women are
politically empowered in our country.
As
per 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts of 1992,
there is a provision of 33% seat reservation for women in all the three tiers
of Panchayati Raj Institutions and Municipalities. Are these 33% seats really
filled and enjoyed by women? Or are they merely filled and exercised by pseudo
or ghost representatives on behalf of women? It is reported that in some places
women are not given the real political power to take decisions, rather their husbands
decide on their behalf in the local bodies.
In
the case of Autonomous District Councils of Manipurm which is the local
self-government system for the people of the hills, there is no provision for
women reservation in the Act. Though there is a provision of women reservation
in Panchayati Raj and Municipalities in the valley, no election was held in
time and women are denied their political rights.
Why is Women
Empowerment Important?
Empowerment
of women is not a single-ended goal but plays a significant role in the overall
social, economic, and political progress of a country and to achieve an
egalitarian society. From a socio-cultural perspective, empowering women can
lead to a more peaceful society with less gender-based violence and crimes
against women, including domestic violence and sexual harassment. Women are
traditionally understood as the binding force within families and communities,
and their well-being may trigger a ripple effect of positive change in society.
Empowered
women are more likely to prioritise education for themselves and their
children, leading to higher literacy rates and improved educational outcomes.
Additionally, empowered women are more likely to raise children who are
emotionally and intellectually healthy. This, in turn, can lead to better
outcomes for society as a whole. Empowered women are more likely to make
informed decisions about their health and well-being, leading to better health
outcomes for themselves and their families.
Economic
empowerment of Indian women can lead to increased economic development of the
country. Women play a crucial role in building human capital, and their
inclusion in the workforce can boost economic growth. Providing women with
equal economic opportunities and fair wages promotes gender equality in the
workplace, boosting the Female Labor Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) and
leading to diverse skills and perspectives.
Women's
participation in politics can lead to better decision-making and outcomes.
Encouraging political participation and supporting women in leadership roles
can lead to more diverse and innovative solutions to national and global
challenges, including economic inequality, social injustices, and climate
change. Gender parity in the economy can also lead to increased innovations and
better solutions, as diverse perspectives and talents bring more ideas to the
table.
Challenges of
Women Empowerment
We
don’t deny the importance of women's empowerment but there are complexities and
challenges involved in achieving gender equality in different contexts in our
society. Some even argue that emphasising women's empowerment over broader
social cohesion and harmony could lead to divisions within communities,
undermining efforts for unity and cooperation.
Women's
empowerment initiatives may face resistance from cultural and religious
institutions that uphold traditional gender norms and values. According to
them, women’s empowerment initiatives may disrupt traditional family dynamics,
causing tension and resistance within households, particularly in more
conservative societies.
Critics
suggest that rapid changes in gender dynamics could lead to political
instability in some regions, as traditional power structures are challenged and
new voices emerge.
Women
Empowerment Initiatives in India
The
Government of India has realised the importance of women empowerment in the
country and has taken up various initiatives. Some of these initiatives are:
1)Beti Bachao Bet
Padhao:
To ensure the protection and survival of the girl child. Ensuring the
participation and education of the girl child;
2)Nirbhaya Fund: For
empowerment, safety and security of women and girl children. The fund was used
to create “One Stop Centres”.
3)One Stop Centre: Providing
integral support and assistance to women affected by violence in public and
private spaces. Immediate access to medical, legal and counselling support
under one roof to fight against all forms of injustice against women.
4)Ujjawala Scheme: A comprehensive
scheme for the prevention of trafficking, rescue, rehabilitation and
re-integration of victims of trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation,
facilitating repatriation of cross-border victims to their native country.
5)Sakhi Niwas: A scheme that
provides safe, affordable housing for working women’s and girl students hostel.
6)Nari Shakti
Puraskar:
National Award Conferred every year on March 8 (International Women’s Day).
Given to eminent and outstanding Institutions or organisations or individuals
who have rendered distinguished service to the cause of women.
7)Mission Shakti: An integrated
women empowerment program that is an umbrella scheme for the safety, security
and empowerment of women. Some sub-schemes under Mission Shakti are: One Stop
Centre (OSC), Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP), Ujjawala, etc.
Measures
Suggested for Women Empowerment
·Social
Empowerment of Women:
The fact that gender disparity has persisted despite many legislations stating
that a social problem cannot be tackled only through legislation. What is
required is a sustained campaign to change the social attitude. Education and
women empowerment have a strong link, and enabling access to education is the
best tool for empowering women. It goes a long way in improving the status of
women in India by instilling enough self-confidence in them to decide and build
their own destinies. Ensuring effective implementation of existing laws through
efficient judicial systems and law enforcement will help reduce gender-based
violence faced by women.
·Economic
Empowerment of Women:
Providing women with market-relevant skills will help them enter the labour
force easily. Enabling access to credit through tools such as micro-financing
can enable women to participate in economic activities. This, in turn, will
make them financially independent.
·Political
Empowerment of Women:
Offer leadership development programmes for women to prepare them for roles in
politics and civil society. This will go a long way in doing away with gender
disparity in India and improving the status of women.
As
India strives towards its vision of “Viksit Bharat @2047”, the government,
civil societies, communities, and individuals should put their collective
efforts into fostering a society where every woman has the opportunity to
thrive. Anyone who supports the idea of women empowerment should genuinely care
for women, not doing it only for virtue signaling. Now that women empowerment
has become a buzzword, we should also take part in making it a focal point for
international development efforts. Women are becoming vocal about their
concerns internationally. This should be lauded until true women empowerment is
achieved. To quote Michelle Obama, “Don’t be afraid. Be focused. Be determined.
Be hopeful. Be empowered”.
Kh. Siile
Anthony
(The writer is
former Director HRD, North Eastern Council & Joint Registrar, JNU, New
Delhi)
