Women empowerment in India refers to the efforts to empower women and girls in the country through various means such as education, employment, and political participation. Despite progress in recent years, women in India still face significant challenges including gender discrimination, violence, and limited access to education and employment opportunities.
The Indian government has implemented several policies and programs aimed at improving the status of women, including the National Policy for the Empowerment of Women, the Mahila Samakhya program, and the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign.
However, these efforts have not yet fully succeeded in addressing the deep-rooted patriarchal mindset and traditional cultural practices that continue to suppress women’s rights and opportunities.
Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected women, causing job losses and economic hardships, as well as an increase in domestic violence.
Empowering women in India will require sustained efforts from the government, civil society, and the private sector to address the structural barriers and societal attitudes that continue to hold women back. This includes increasing access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, as well as changing cultural attitudes towards women and girls.
In addition to the government initiatives mentioned earlier, there are several other efforts being made to empower women in India.
The Self-Help Group (SHG) movement is one such effort. SHGs are small, informal groups of women who come together to save money, take small loans, and engage in income-generating activities. These groups provide a platform for women to come together, share their experiences, and support each other in their efforts to improve their lives. SHGs have been successful in improving the economic status of women, as well as increasing their participation in decision-making at the community level.
Another important initiative is the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, which provides free LPG connections to women from below poverty line families. This has helped to reduce indoor air pollution and improve the health of women and their families.
Education is also a key aspect of women’s empowerment. The government’s Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) have helped to increase enrollment of girls in schools, especially in rural areas. However, there is still a significant gender gap in literacy rates in India, with the literacy rate for women being significantly lower than that for men.
Gender discrimination and violence against women are also major issues in India. The government has implemented several laws to address these issues, including the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act and the Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act. However, implementation of these laws remains a challenge.
The media also plays a crucial role in shaping societal attitudes towards women. Unfortunately, the portrayal of women in the media often reinforces negative stereotypes, which can perpetuate discrimination and violence against women.
To continue, one of the major barriers to women’s empowerment in India is the lack of access to financial resources. Women in India are often excluded from the formal banking system, making it difficult for them to access credit and other financial services. This is particularly true for women from low-income households and rural areas.
The government has launched several financial inclusion schemes, such as the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), to address this issue. The PMJDY aims to provide access to banking facilities to all households in the country, with a special focus on women and marginalized communities. Additionally, the government has also launched the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) to provide small loans to entrepreneurs, including women.
Another important aspect of women’s empowerment is their participation in the workforce. Despite the government’s efforts to increase women’s participation in the workforce, the female labor force participation rate in India remains low. This is due to a combination of factors, including societal attitudes towards working women, lack of affordable childcare and lack of safe and affordable transportation.
To address this issue, the government has launched several schemes such as the Mahila Shakti Kendra and the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY). The Mahila Shakti Kendra scheme aims to empower rural women by providing them with information, education, and training in various skills. The PMMVY provides financial assistance to pregnant and lactating women for the first live birth.
Another significant barrier to women’s empowerment in India is the lack of representation in political leadership roles. Although the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments provide for reservation of seats for women in local government bodies, women’s representation in political leadership roles remains low.
To address this issue, the government has launched the Women’s Leadership Development Program which aims to train women for leadership roles in politics and governance. Additionally, the government has also implemented the 33% reservation for women in police forces at all levels.
Women’s health is also a crucial aspect of their empowerment, and yet it remains a significant challenge in India. The maternal mortality rate in India is still high, and access to healthcare remains limited, particularly in rural areas. The government has launched several schemes to address these issues, such as the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMMSA) and the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY). The PMMSA aims to provide pregnant women with access to quality ante-natal care services, while the JSY provides financial assistance to pregnant women for institutional deliveries.
Another important aspect of women’s empowerment in India is the need to address the issue of gender-based violence. India has one of the highest rates of violence against women in the world, and this is a major barrier to their empowerment. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reported that there were over four lakh cases of violence against women in India in 2019, which includes rape, domestic violence, and acid attacks.
To address this issue, the government has launched several initiatives such as the One Stop Centre (OSC) and the Universalisation of Women Helpline Scheme. The OSC provides a range of services to women affected by violence, including emergency medical aid, legal aid, and counseling. The Universalisation of Women Helpline Scheme aims to provide women with a 24-hour helpline to report incidents of violence and to seek assistance.
However, the implementation of these schemes remains a challenge. There is a lack of coordination between different government agencies and a lack of awareness about these schemes among women. Additionally, the legal system in India is often not responsive to the needs of women, and the conviction rate for crimes against women remains low.
To further empower women in India, it is essential to ensure their participation in decision-making. This includes not only political participation but also participation in decision-making at the community and household level. The government has launched several initiatives such as the Mahila Samakhya and the Gender Budgeting to ensure women’s participation in decision-making.
The Mahila Samakhya program is a government-funded initiative that aims to empower women in rural areas by providing them with education and training in various skills. Gender Budgeting is an initiative to ensure that government policies and programs take into account the different needs and concerns of women.
However, despite these efforts, women’s participation in decision-making remains low. This is due to the lack of awareness about these initiatives and the lack of support for women to participate in decision-making.
Another significant barrier to women’s empowerment in India is the lack of access to information and communication technology (ICT). Women in India are often excluded from the digital economy, which limits their access to information and opportunities. The government has launched several initiatives such as the Digital India and the BharatNet to bridge the digital divide.
The Digital India initiative aims to provide all citizens with access to digital services and to promote digital literacy. The BharatNet aims to provide high-speed internet to all villages in the country.
However, the implementation of these initiatives remains a challenge. There is a lack of digital literacy among women, and the infrastructure to support these initiatives is often lacking in rural areas.
Another important aspect of women’s empowerment in India is the need to address the issue of gender pay gap. Women in India on an average earn less than men, and this is a major barrier to their empowerment. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), the gender pay gap in India is 27%, which means that women earn 73% of what men earn. This pay gap is even higher in certain sectors such as the IT and ITES sector, where the gender pay gap is as high as 34%.
To address this issue, the government has launched several initiatives such as the Working Women Hostels and the Pradhan Mantri Mahila Shakti Kendra Yojana. The Working Women Hostels provide accommodation to working women, especially those who have migrated to urban areas in search of employment. The Pradhan Mantri Mahila Shakti Kendra Yojana aims to empower women by providing them with information, education, and training in various skills.
However, the implementation of these schemes remains a challenge. There is a lack of coordination between different government agencies and a lack of awareness about these schemes among women. Additionally, the private sector also has a significant role to play in addressing the gender pay gap. Companies need to ensure that there is equal pay for equal work, and that there are no discrimination in promotions and other benefits.
Another important aspect of women’s empowerment in India is the need to address the issue of sexual harassment at the workplace. This is a major barrier to women’s empowerment, as it not only affects their physical and mental well-being but also limits their opportunities for advancement. The government has launched several initiatives such as the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013 to address this issue. The act provides a framework for the prevention, prohibition, and redressal of sexual harassment at the workplace.
However, the implementation of this act remains a challenge. There is a lack of awareness about this act among women, and the legal system is often not responsive to the needs of women. Additionally, the private sector also has a significant role to play in addressing this issue. Companies need to ensure that there is a safe and secure working environment for women, and that there is a mechanism for reporting and redressal of sexual harassment.
Another significant barrier to women’s empowerment in India is the lack of access to affordable childcare. This is a major issue, as it limits women’s opportunities for education and employment. The government has launched several initiatives such as the Anganwadi and the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana to address this issue. The Anganwadi is a government-funded initiative that provides pre-school education and nutrition to children, especially those from low-income households. The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana provides financial assistance to pregnant and lactating women for the first live birth.
However, the implementation of these schemes remains a challenge. There is a lack of awareness about these schemes among women, and the infrastructure to support these schemes is often lacking in rural areas.
However, it’s also important to recognize that the empowerment of women cannot be achieved through government policies and programs alone. It requires a change in societal attitudes towards women and girls, and the active participation of men and boys in the process of women’s empowerment. This includes challenging patriarchal norms and beliefs, promoting gender-sensitive education, and encouraging men and boys to take an active role in promoting gender equality.
In addition, it’s crucial to involve communities and civil society organizations in the process of women’s empowerment. This includes working with local leaders, religious leaders, and community-based organizations to promote gender equality and to raise awareness about women’s rights.
Finally, it’s essential to ensure that the needs and perspectives of marginalized women are taken into account in the process of women’s empowerment. This includes women from low-income households, rural women, women from marginalized communities, and women with disabilities. These women often face additional barriers to empowerment, and their needs must be considered in the development and implementation of policies and programs.
In conclusion, empowering women in India is a complex issue that requires a holistic approach. It requires the active participation of all stakeholders, including the government, civil society, private sector, and communities, to create an enabling environment for women’s empowerment. It also requires a change in societal attitudes towards women and girls and the active participation of men and boys in the process of women’s empowerment. Addressing the structural barriers and societal attitudes that continue to hold women back is not only a moral imperative but also essential for sustainable development and inclusive growth of the country.
