Women are the pillars of society.
Women empowerment is the most effective way towards development as women worldwide are actively working as a leader and surpassing others in all spheres of life. When women lead a safe, fulfilled and productive life, they can reach and unleash their full potential while contributing to the growth of the nation. Thus, empowering women has become a fundamental part of our society for the health and social development of families, communities and countries.
Where is India positioned in this journey?
As per United Nations Human Development Index, Women and Child Development Minister, India ranks 135 among the 147 nations. Women empowerment in India is a compelling matter yet dependent up to a great extent on multiple variables that encompass – geographical setting (urban/rural), social status (caste and class), educational status, and age factor. Though active actions in favour of women’s empowerment exist at the state, local (panchayat), and national levels, women still have to face issues and discrimination in sectors such as education, economic opportunities, health and medical assistance, and political participation, representing that there still exists substantial gaps between strategy advancements and real exercise at the community level.
It is unfortunate how the realm of women empowerment in India is limited to granting balanced rights to women, raising slogans for the motion and letting the efforts fade into the thin air.
How is women’s empowerment related to the economy?
Uplifting the women of our society by investing in women’s economic empowerment sets a clear and achievable path towards gender equality, poverty eradication and inclusive economic growth as empowered and independent women make enormous contributions to economies through forms like businesses, on farms, as entrepreneurs or employees, or by even working at an unpaid job of household chores.
The term “women empowerment” simply describes authority, or power that is embarked on women sharing indistinguishable rights just as men. It refers to the liberated women from socio-economic backgrounds who can have fun while gaining knowledge from doing the things they always wanted to do and contributing to the nation.
However, there still exists a greater need of offering optimistic support to a considerable division of women in this nation. Most Indian villages and several semi-urban cities still deny the fundamental education of women and they are never or rarely allowed to continue higher education.
Women are versatile and it won’t be wrong to proclaim that they possess superpowers and they do deliver multiple roles effortlessly every single day thus forming a backbone of every society.
Though we have entered a strong era of femininity where women are heard and given chances to prove themselves, however, we still live under the umbrella of a patriarchal society. From caring mothers, and loving daughters, to capable colleagues, women play a wide range of roles and nail each role perfectly.
Nonetheless, they’ve also stood as a neglected bunch of society, worldwide, where they are ignored and have witnessed situations that resulted in women surviving the brunt of unevenness, financial trustworthiness, gender discrimination, oppression, and distinct social evils. And similarly, women have continued to co-exist under the shackles of enslavement for centuries now which impedes them from discovering their own worth and reaching and developing their potential, thus creating a hindrance in attaining professional as well as personal highs.
Factors responsible for the progress of Women’s Empowerment in India
A couple of factors although might seem very trivial or negligible at the given moment bring tremendous impact and affect the progress of women’s empowerment in India.
Gender Discrimination –
The problem of gender discrimination has been existing has handicapped the pace of empowerment in India on several occasions. It is prevalent in all realms of society though mostly goes unnoticed and must be checked. Women must be encouraged and furnished with a resort to become an active part in decision-making at every level, in every sphere and in every direction of life to attain and get acquainted with the depth of the motive of women empowerment. They must be appreciated for their efforts and their efforts must be rightfully acknowledged without any prejudice.
Education –
Education is one of the most necessary factors for the growth and for the advancement of women. It is the only significant tool which can direct and guide women towards the path of anticipating women empowerment in India & overall human resource development.
Education is a source of hope that gives light to the possibilities through which one can gain access to employment and make a means of livelihood revivifying the economic empowerment of women.
The power of education makes an individual conscientious, enabling one to understand, interpret, criticize, and eventually transform their atmosphere, bringing a “new” person and personality to light.
The role of mass media –
Mass media plays a very significant role to project and propagate various matters that need immediate attention. On several occasions, we have come across media content where women themselves come together to enlighten society about the need of empowering women and the reforms it could bring to turn this into a better society. Mass media performs a crucial role in repairing the attitude and the treatment of women in our community.
Implementing Women Development Programs along with Numerous Acts –
Training programmes based on action in the village or in rural parts of India along with vocational programmes are offered and aimed at women. These growth-oriented entrepreneurship development programmes are so organised to make women self-reliant so that they can be self-employed by enhancing their efficiency and capacities in making prompt decisions.
Cases related to female feticide & infanticide are also strictly prohibited and the sex determination of a child that is yet to take birth via the Regulation & Prevention of Misuse Act 1994 as well as the PNT ACT (Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques Act). Several other steps have also been taken related to marriage, succession, divorce, adoption, dowry and moral safety or protection against sexual harassment to ensure women’s empowerment.
Changing attitude of women –
Nowadays women are changing and by changing it means, they are empowering themselves by becoming aware of their oppression, indicating initiative, and confiscating chances to bring a shift in their status gradually uplifting. Empowerment gives life to the soul and every woman must empower herself starting by changing her attitude towards herself.
Today women have changed their attitude by taking initiatives towards the elimination of poverty, dowry-ills, illiteracy, and productive implementation of all programmes and laws related to women. Women of today now understand the need to fight back to rebuild their prominent position in their communities and societies and carry out their rights and maintain justice & equality in society.
Organising awareness programmes –
Numerous State and National level commissions for women, Non-Governmental Organizations, and ICDS Programmes have undertaken e- awareness. The Taskforce for women & children Development DWACRA (Concerning Development of Women & Children in Rural Areas), is working rigorously towards women’s rights, and human rights, campaigning about legal rights, generating awareness about education saving schemes, sharing the need for mass education, environmental education, rehabilitation programmes with all integrity and solemnity, building and establishing an equal society.
Why is women’s empowerment important?
Women are the backbone of our society and empowering women is a necessity.
Women have been discriminated against and treated unfairly for several generations now, but women have proved time and again how and why they possess liberty, faith, and self-worth to opt for their needs and demands to provide themselves with an independent life. Women are entitled to receive proportional rights to contribute to society, a fair share in economics, the right to education, and opportunities to highlight their potential as men.
Holistic Development of Society –
Women empowerment is one of the principal requirements for society’s overall development. From maintaining homes to office desks at corporate or running their own businesses women are participating and playing numerous roles in every sphere of serving society.
Determining the level of intelligence –
Over the period of past few decades, there has been a positive and uniform change in women’s empowerment. Now women are more confident about themselves and possess the spirit of self-worth and freedom to make decisions based on their needs and requirements. However, gender inequality still prevails and women get paid less, their efforts are undervalued, and they are expected to be in the kitchen and several other restrictions imposed by their families. These handicaps can be overcome by unbinding the shackles of negativity by allowing women to involve themselves equally in every part of society.
Solve employment problems–
Unemployment still is one of the most common problems which directs our society’s growth. Despite multiple gains, there are several odds that we still have to beat like: ill work-front opportunities, discriminatory social norms and laws, experiencing physical or sexual violence, underrepresentation at levels of political leadership and etc.
Research shows that half of the population consists of women and these problems of unemployment and unequal opportunities in the workplace can be eradicated if only women are empowered. When provided with equal opportunities women can use their strength and potential to make wonders happen.
How SENSED is making progress towards the change?
SENSED is determined and dedicated to bringing remarkable reforms in the area of empowering women in our society. Since our inception in 2011, we have had several prestigious and proud moments while working for women’s empowerment. We started a number of projects which we still continue today because things progress when we take steps forward.
To educate women about their rights and how they should treat themselves, in the long run, to help and contribute the society we began our projects on “Nasha Mukti”, “ShikshanPrashikshan”, “Save Girl”, “Mahila Prashikshan Vocational Training for women empowerment”, “Hasthashlip Prashikshan”, “Mata AvamSishu Raksha”, and “Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM)”.
The “Nasha Mukti” campaign was one of our initial projects with which, we successfully taught the women from rural regions about the adverse effects of substance use and made them quit chain-smoking ‘beedi’. With our “ShikshanPrashikshan” programme, we aimed to make an impact in the core areas of Environment, Health, Education & Community Development, as we taught women diversely about the fundamental factors required to bring positive change in their life and career.
Prioritising women’s education and the position of women in our society, in our “Save Girl” campaign, we emphasised the importance of education, building up self-dignity, and self-confidence to improve their economic condition through self-employment and cooperative basis. Our major aim through this campaign was to ensure that the young girls are aware of their basic rights so they are not exploited or forcefully deprived of those rights.
Taking another thoughtful step towards empowering women and their economic well-being we initiated “Mahila Prashikshan Vocational Training for women empowerment” with the aim to train and specialise women with practical knowledge in a particular field with an in-depth study of a specific subject/skill. In our “Hasthashlip Prashikshan” programme, we encouraged women to pick up various handicraft training activities like toy making, drawing and painting, and decorating items of various raw materials.
Moving further ahead, we aimed to prioritise the health of both the mother and child and started our “Mata AvamSishu Raksha” campaign broadly aiming to offer and ensure that they get adequate quality health benefits and the children further receive an improved scope of education and live in an enhanced and more positive environment.
And our thought and health-packed programme – “Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM)” was oriented to create awareness about the adverse health consequences of unhygienic menstrual and promote hygiene practices among young girls and women.
To Wrap Up –
Being an NGO for women empowerment, protecting the environment and emphasising the need for education in India, SENSED has commenced executing programs and campaigns concerning women empowerment via taking active actions in the direction, offering a scope of education & other essential rights. Our target revolves around the empowerment of every single girl child so that when they join the level of evolving as an adult, they should be competent souls and feel themselves full of confidence and power.
SENSED, is framing strategies regarding girl child education, women empowerment and all the needs regarding the upliftment of women so that their remaining life from now onwards would be a steady ride and always a step forward. Being an NGO for women empowerment in India, SENSED heightens the accessibility, progress and reforms to ensure every girl child and woman is healthy, safe, protected and strong to stay always ready and steady for conquering all the battles of life.