Catalysts of Change: Exploring Women’s Empowerment in India in the 21st Century
13 min read • July 19, 2024
Abstract: In the 21st century, the concept of women’s empowerment has gained significant attention, yet the reality often falls short of the rhetoric. Despite various governmental policies and programs aimed at addressing gender disparities, challenges persist, particularly in India. Women’s empowerment encompasses economic, social, and political dimensions, but inequalities persist due to factors such as unequal access to education, employment, and societal norms. While progress has been made, there remains a pressing need to address the underlying issues and obstacles hindering women’s advancement. Efforts to promote women’s empowerment have led to notable achievements, including increased representation in various fields and the implementation of policies like gender quotas in local governance. However, entrenched gender biases and societal attitudes continue to undermine the full realization of women’s rights and empowerment.
Thus, a comprehensive approach is necessary, one that addresses structural inequalities while fostering a cultural shift towards gender equality and respect for women’s rights.
Key words: Women Empowerment, Women’s Rights, Education, Constitutional Provision, Government Initiatives.
Introduction
Women’s empowerment is crucial for societal progress in the 21st century. Historically marginalized, women often face social, economic, and political disadvantages. Empowerment aims to rectify this by enhancing their capabilities and opportunities, fostering a society free from pervasive discrimination. Despite comprising nearly half of the global population, women in countries like India still face significant gender disparities and social inequalities. Empowerment extends beyond equal voting rights; it involves enabling individuals, regardless of gender, to make impactful decisions. The Indian government’s establishment of the Ministry of Women and Child Development[1] in 2006 highlights the importance of addressing women’s and children’s welfare. Women’s empowerment encompasses various dimensions such as human rights, economic security, and social dignity. The Indian Constitution guarantees rights to all citizens, and empowerment is seen as a means to actualize these rights by enhancing social and economic capabilities.
Effective state policies are vital for women’s economic, social, and political empowerment. Despite numerous schemes and programs, there remains a wide gap between policy and practice. A multi-sectoral approach emphasizing education and skill development is essential. Education, in particular, is a crucial tool, enabling women to become self-reliant and confident participants in societal development. Empowerment also requires a fundamental shift in societal attitudes and structures, dismantling patriarchal norms, and creating an environment where women can thrive equally. Various NGOs and government programs play a critical role, but sustained efforts and societal commitment are necessary to bridge the gap between policy and practice.
In the 21st century, women’s empowerment is not just a moral imperative but essential for economic growth and social harmony. Empowering women will drive progress and prosperity, making it a priority for global and national agendas.
PROBLEMS AND ISSUES ARISING
Empowerment is a critical tool that not only amplifies the voices of women in advocating for their rights but also heightens awareness among all societal members regarding their entitlements. Women empowerment fundamentally aims to bolster women’s strength, fostering the development of their latent potential, capabilities, and participation in all life spheres. This process necessitates the embracement of opportunities within the framework of social beliefs. Essentially, women empowerment involves equipping women with the awareness of their capabilities, independence, and liberation to enable their involvement in decision-making processes at both personal and societal levels. Despite the ongoing global emphasis on women empowerment, which gained momentum with the United Nations’ declaration of International Women’s Day on March 8, 1975[2], significant challenges persist worldwide, including in India. This issue is particularly crucial as women constitute half of the global population and have played pivotal roles in human civilization and development. In India, women’s status is integral to societal progress, which can be gauged through women’s education, economic independence, and decision-making abilities. However, even after over seventy years of independence, India’s advancement toward an egalitarian society remains slow and disappointing, with persistent discrimination against women.
Education disparity, with only 65.46% of women literate compared to 82.14% of men, hinders women’s progress in higher education and professional fields, affecting their leadership roles and employment opportunities. Poverty exacerbates the exploitation of women, who often end up in menial jobs due to economic deprivation. Health and safety concerns are paramount, with inadequate maternal healthcare services contributing to significant challenges. Professional inequality, with women facing numerous obstacles in male-dominated workplaces, further impedes their progress. Gender bias in health, nutrition, and family roles underscores the deep-seated inequality, where women bear disproportionate responsibilities in household work, childcare, and suffer from cultural and traditional biases. Issues such as female feticide, infanticide, child marriage, domestic violence, dowry, and restricted access to education, credit, and employment opportunities further constrain women’s empowerment in India. Rural women, despite their potential, remain largely untouched by empowerment efforts, continuing to face exploitation and societal neglect. In rural India, the birth of girls is often viewed as a misfortune, and in some communities, female infants are killed at birth. Empowering rural women is critical to national progress, as they constitute a significant portion of the workforce in agriculture and animal care but remain marginalized due to social norms and customs. Globally, women constitute nearly half of the population and perform a significant portion of work but receive a fraction of the income and own minimal property. Despite increased school enrollment and workforce participation, girls are still more likely to be out of school than boys. Property rights remain a critical issue, with a small percentage of women owning land despite their substantial contribution to agriculture. Political representation of women has improved but remains low, with only 24% of national parliamentarians being women. Domestic violence and harmful practices such as female genital mutilation and child marriage persist, affecting millions of women and girls worldwide.
In India, cultural reverence for female deities contrasts starkly with the reality of women’s status. Women’s workforce participation remains significantly lower than men’s, with rural women having a slightly better participation rate compared to urban women. Women remain marginalized in public and private spheres, with low representation in political offices and judicial positions. Despite some progress, gender equality in India remains elusive, with persistent social, economic, and political disparities. Addressing these challenges is crucial for women’s empowerment and the overall development and progress of the country. Ensuring gender equality and empowering women is essential to achieving a just and progressive society.
SUGGESTIONS
The foundational issue contributing to the underdevelopment of women is the lack of education. Addressing this should be our top priority, ensuring that all women have access to education. Additionally, awareness programs must be organized, especially for women from weaker sections, to inform them about their rights. Women should be allowed to work in safe environments and be supported in their employment. They must receive proper wages and be treated equally to men to elevate their societal status. Programs and laws designed to curb societal malpractices must be strictly enforced.
As Mahatma Gandhi said, “If you educate a man, you educate an individual, but if you educate a woman, you educate a whole family.” Education is a powerful tool for social change, and thus, women’s education must receive special attention. Global education for all children under 14 should be fully implemented, and measures should be taken to monitor and correct the declining rate of girls in education. Women should be allowed to work with adequate security and support. Laws such as the Equal Remuneration Act, Factories Act, and constitutional safeguards like maternity leave should be strictly enforced. Women should receive equal wages and work opportunities comparable to men to elevate their status in society. Political empowerment of women is also crucial; thus, a 50% quota is provided as a measure of political strength. Strict enforcement of laws such as the Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques Act[3] and the Dowry Prohibition Act[4] is essential.
Additionally, efforts should focus on improving women’s health, reducing maternal mortality, and meeting nutritional needs at all life stages. Social activists should monitor violence against women in impoverished areas and assist them in seeking legal justice. Programs should be introduced to support women who are victims of marital violence and those involved in sex work. Suggestions for further improvement include:
The government should place a greater emphasis on female education to boost women’s empowerment.
Opportunities for women’s empowerment should be expanded by the government.
Awareness about women’s education and available support services should be increased.
Both the government and NGOs should conduct numerous awareness programs focused on women’s empowerment.
Introducing more schemes related to women entrepreneurship would significantly empower and uplift the status of women in India.
Governments need to invest more in creating a favorable and sensitive environment for girls.
Conclusion
India has enacted numerous laws and progressive plans to enhance women’s status, but government efforts alone are insufficient. Society must also act to create an environment free from gender bias, allowing women full opportunities for self-decision-making and participation in political, social, and economic life. Improving women’s social, educational, and economic statuses is crucial, with education being the top priority. Development plans should focus on eradicating female illiteracy and building skills among women to empower them independently. Addressing gender inequality requires constant, focused efforts at all levels. Swami Vivekananda emphasized that a country that does not respect women cannot become great. Although changing the deeply ingrained culture of disregard for women in India is challenging, it is achievable through sustained efforts. Education is the most crucial tool for women’s empowerment, raising awareness of their rights and responsibilities and positively impacting families and future generations. Societal action is essential to complement government initiatives and achieve true gender equality.
Frequently Answered Questions (FAQ)
What are the major goals of Indian women’s empowerment?
The primary objectives of women’s empowerment in India revolve around transforming societal norms and practices to enable women to play a more significant and constructive role within society. This involves the emancipation and elevation of women, ensuring they are no longer constrained by traditional, restrictive social practices. By modifying these societal norms, women can gain greater autonomy, participate actively in various sectors, and contribute meaningfully to the development of the nation. Another crucial goal is to achieve gender equality by expanding civil rights for women to ensure they enjoy the same rights and opportunities as men. This includes equal access to education, employment, healthcare, and participation in political and economic decision-making processes. By promoting equal rights, the empowerment initiatives aim to dismantle the barriers that have historically hindered women’s progress, fostering an environment where both men and women can thrive equally. Ultimately, these goals are geared towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society where women’s contributions are valued and recognized on par with those of men.
What is economic empowerment of women?
Economic empowerment of women involves ensuring they have equal access to work opportunities and the ability to participate fully in all markets. This includes creating policies that support women’s education and skills development, promoting equal pay, flexible working hours, and safe workplaces. Encouraging women in leadership roles and ensuring fair representation in managerial positions are essential steps. Additionally, supporting women entrepreneurs through access to credit, training, and markets enhances their economic status. When women are economically empowered, they can make informed decisions, benefiting their families and communities and contributing to overall economic growth and societal development.
References
Janet G. Stotsky (ed.), Women, Work, and the Economy: Macroeconomic Gains from Gender Equity (International Monetary Fund, 2016).
Shari L. Dworkin et al. (eds.), Women’s Empowerment and Global Health: A Twenty-First-Century Agenda (University of California Press, 2019).
John Smith, “Women’s Political Participation,” Journal of Women, Politics & Policy 10 (2015): 45.
[1] https://wcd.nic.in/
[2] https://www.internationalwomensday.com/Activity/15586/The-history-of-IWD
[3] https://www.indiacode.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/8399/1/pre-conception-pre-natal-diagnostic-techniques-act-1994.pdf
[4] https://wcd.nic.in/act/dowry-prohibition-act-1961