Women empowerment and employment in india

Hidayatullah National Law University

Raipur, Chhattisgarh

Submitted To: Ms. Madhurima De Sarkar

Assistant Professor, women & law

Submitted By: Lucky Rajpurohit

Roll: 64, Semester- X

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to the Almighty who gave me the strength to accomplish the project with sheer hard
work and honesty. This research venture has been made possible due to the generous co-
operation of various persons. To list them all is not practicable, even to repay them in words is
beyond the domain of my lexicon.

This project wouldn’t have been possible without the help of my teacher Ms. Madhurima De
Sarkar Faculty of women and Law at HNLU, who had always been there at my side whenever I
needed some help regarding any information. She has been my mentor in the truest sense of the
term. The administration has also been kind enough to let me use their facilities for research
work. I thank them for this would be grateful to receive comments and suggestions for further
improvement of this project report.

LUCKY RAJPUROHIT

SEMESTER
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Acknowledgement………………………………………………………………………….…..2

2. Objectives…………..……………………………………………………………………….….5

3. Research methodology……………………………………………………………………….…5

4. Research Questions………………………………………………………………………….….5

5. Introduction……………………………………………………………………………….…….6

6. Meaning of empowerment and women empowerment…………………………………………8

7. Relation between empowerment and employment…………….…………….………………..11

8. Legislative safeguards to promote women employment……………………………………...12

9. Issues and other Major Problems Faced by Women Entrepreneurs…………………………..15

10. Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………...18
Statement of Problem
Women empowerment is important. At earlier times they were getting equal status with men. But
they had faced some difficulties during post-Vedic and epic ages. Many a time they were treated
as slave. From early twenty century(national movement) their statuses have been changed slowly
and gradually. In this regard, we my mentioned the name of the British people. After then,
independence of India, the constitutional makers and national leaders strongly demand equal
social position of women with men. Today we have seen the women occupied the respectable
positions in all walks of the fields. Yet, they have not absolutely free some discrimination and
harassment of the society. Very few women have been able to establish their potentialities, and
therefore steps must be taken to enable and allow women from all walks of life, to be able to
excerise their rights. This is paritucarly with respect to their employment.
OBJECTIVES

1. To study the relationship between women’s empowerment and employment in India.

2. To understand the concept of empowerment.

3. To study how employment is necessary for empowerment of women.

4. To analyze the Factors influencing the Economic Empowerment of Women.

5. To study government schemes to empower women through skill legislation, financial

assistance, education etc

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The research methodology used in this project is analytical and descriptive. Data has been
collected from various books, articles, papers and web sources. This project is based upon non-
doctrinal method of research. This project has been done after a thorough research based upon
intrinsic and extrinsic aspects of the project

RESEARCH QUESTION

1. What is the status of women from ancient period in india?

2. What is the meaning of empowerment and why there is a need of women empowerment?

3. How empowerment and employment are related?

4. How promotion in employment leads to women empowerment?

5. What are the legislative safeguard are taken to promote women employment in india?

6. What are problems faced to achieve economic empowerment?

SCOPE OF STUDY
The status of women in India has been subject to many great changes over the time. The scope of
the research paper is limited to the empowerment of women in india and how the employment of
women and rights and safeguards granted to women helped in giving equal status and
empowering women.
Chapter 1.

INTRODUCTION

The status of women in India has been subject to many great changes over the past few
millennia.1 In ancient times, Indian women used to enjoy equal status with men. Many reformers
and social workers protected the rights of women either because of the role of women in the
society or their special character as described in Upanishads. But during the Medieval period,
the rights of women have declined in spite of arguments and support from many reformers2. In
modern India, women have been holding high level positions in administration, corporate sector
and politics. They held high positions such as President of India, Prime Minister of India,
Speaker of Loksabha, etc., in Indian Parliament. Despite these facts, women in modern India are
exposed to various social problems and issues. According to a global study conducted by
Thomson Reuters, India is the "fourth most dangerous country" in the world for women.3 An
analysis of research studies on women’s status in India indicates that the status of women started
declining around approximately 500 BC. During Vedic period it is noted that women enjoyed
equal rights, sometimes better status than men. Women’s rights were curtailed and more
protectionist attitude towards women prevailed during medieval period. Many restrictions and
conditions were put on women’s education, religious rights and privileges and on their social
and political activities. The role and status of women in India was clarified in Manu Smriti.
Manu fully recognized the importance of women as a component complement of man. The role
of women is crucial for formation of a live society, as per Manu. However, he is of the opinion
that women cannot be independent of men. Her activities should be controlled and monitored by
men at every stage; otherwise, her independence is harmful to the society in all respects. This
belief was wide spread in the Indian society of those days and led to the imposition of
restrictions on women’s freedom. Therefore, the status of women in India especially in Hindu
society deteriorated remarkably. Further, with the Islamic invasion of Babur and the Mughal
Empire and later Christianity, women’s status worsened still4. Although reformatory movements
such as Jainism allowed women to be admitted to the religious order, by and large, women in
India faced confinement and restrictions.

1
Arvind Sharma, “Women in Indian Religions (E.d.)” Oxford University Press, 2002, New Delhi. P.104
2
Mahajan, V.D. Modern Indian History,Delhi (2010), S. Chand Publication, P. 82
3
India fourth most dangerous place for women: survey, NDTV, 2002
4
"Dr. Asghar, Ali Engineer, Islam in India – The Impact of Civilization. Delhi (2002), Shipra, P. 6.
The Indian woman' s position in the society further deteriorated during the medieval period
when Sati among some communities, child marriages and a ban on widow remarriages became
part of social life in India5. Further to this, the Mughal entry into Indian subcontinent has
brought purdah practice by women concealing the whole appearance of women to the public.
Similarly, the practice of Jauhar among the Rajputs of Rajastan has been another impediment on
the movements of women. Polygamy among Hindu Kshatriya rulers6, sexual exploitation of
Devadasis or the temple women are some of the incidents of deterioration of women status. In
rich Muslim families women were restricted to Zenanas. Many reformers, such as Raja Ram
Mohan Roy, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Jyotirao Phule, etc., fought for the up-liftment of
women during British rule. With the passage of time women’s role in the Indian society was
well recognized by eminent people like Peary Charan Sarkar, a member of Young Bengal who
setup first free school for girls in 1847 in a suburb of Calcutta. In 1917 there was the first
women’s delegation to the secretary of the State, demanding women’s political rights which
were supported by Indian National Congress. The All India Women’s Education Conference

held at Pune in 1927 and enactment of the Child Marriage Restraint Act in 1929 are some of the
events that indicate the recognition of women in Indian society. With the efforts of Muhammad
Ali Jinnah7, Child Marriage Restraint Act, stipulating 14 years as the minimum age of marriage
for the girl was passed. Though Mahatma Gandhi himself married at the age of thirteen, he later
urged people to boycott child marriages and called upon the young men to marry child widows.8

During India’s freedom struggle women played a significant role. Smt. Sarojini Naidu, an
acknowledged poet and a freedom fighter was the first Indian woman to become the President of
the Indian National Congress. Later, she also became the first woman Governor of a State in
India. Women in India now participate in all activities such as education, sports, politics, media,
art and culture, service sectors, science and technology, etc9. The Constitution of India

5
Lalneihzov, Women’s Developmnt in India: Problemsand Prospects, (E.d.), Agra, Azmi Publication, P. 82.
6
Praven Kumar Kamat (2004-1). "Status of Women in Medieval India". Dheena Publication, Delhi, 24 December
2004.
7
Kalayani Meenon, "Info Change women: Background & Perspective". 24 Inomic Publications, Delhi, December
2005
8
Jyotsna Kamat (19 December 2006). "Gandhi and Status of Women". Alliance Publications, Mumabi. 24
December 2006.
9
"Women in History". National Resource Center for Women. Background Papers, Parliament House,24 December
2004.
guarantees equality to all Indian Women (Article 14), no discrimination by the State (Article
15(1)), equality of opportunity (Article 16), and equal pay for equal work (Article 39(d)). In
addition, it allows special provisions to be made by the State in favour of women and children
(Article 15(3)), renounces practices derogatory to the dignity of women (Article 51(A) (e)), and
also allows for provisions to be made by the State for securing just and humane conditions of
work and for maternity relief (Article 42)10. Later, the feminist activism in India picked up
momentum during later 1970s. In 1990s, grants from foreign donor agencies enabled the
formation of new women-oriented Non-Government Organizations (NGOs). Self Help Groups
(SHGs) and NGOs such as Self Employment Women’s Association (SEWA) have played a
major role in women' s rights in India. Many women emerged as leaders of local movements.
The Government of India declared 2001 as the Year of Women' s Empowerment (Swashakti)11.
The National Policy for the Empowerment of Women was passed in 200112 . In 2010 March 9,
one day after International Women' s day, the Rajyasabha passed Women' s Reservation Bill,
ensuring thirty three per cent reservation to women in Parliament and State Legislative Bodies13

Chapter 2.

MEANING OF EMPOWERMENT AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

In India, plans and policies as well as the constitution have laid stress on women empowerment.
According to a social scientist, empowerment means acquisition of authority and power, taking
independent decisions and assuming greater responsibilities in various fields of activities. It is a
process which generates changes in ideas and perceptions and creates awareness about
one’s rights and opportunities for self development in all important spheres of life14. It
provides circumstances and opportunities where people can make use of abilities and
potentialities to the maximum level in pursuance of some common objectives. Empowerment of

10
Kalyani Menon-Sen, A. K. Shiva Kumar (2001). "Women in India: How Free? How Equal?". United Nations.
Archived from the original on 11 September 2006. Agani Publications, Cennai, 24 December 2006.
11
Mazumdar, Maya. Social Status of Women in India, Delhi, Publishers and Distributors, Delhi, 2004
12
"National Policy for the Empowerment of Women (2001)". 24 December 2005Govt of India Report
13
Rajya Sabha passes Women' s Reservation Bill". The Hindu (Chennai, India). 10 March 2010. Retrieved 25
August 2010.
14
Sharada, a. H., 1997, Women, fertility and Empowerment: Some issues in the contemporary debate. Samya
Shakti, Centre for Women Development studies, New Delhi, 6 : 28-43.
women means creating economic independence, self-reliance, political, social and legal
awareness, self confidence and positive attitude among women.

Empowerment is an active multidimensional process that enables women to realize their full
identity and powers in all spheres of life15. Power is neither a commodity to be transacted, nor
can it be given as alms. Power has to be acquired and once acquired it needs to be exercised,
sustained and preserved. Women have to empower themselves. This means that they have to
understand the causes of the existing inequality of women in all sectors, economic, social,
political, legal and educational and take the initiative to change their status16. Empowerment can
be viewed as a means of creating a social environment in which one can take decisions and
make choice either individually or collectively for social transformation. It intensifies the innate
ability by way of acquiring knowledge, power and experience. Empowerment is a process,
which helps people to gain control of their lives through raising awareness, taking action and
working in order to exercise greater control. Empowerment is the feeling that activates the
psychological energy to accomplish one’s goals.

According to the ‘Country Report’ of the Government of India, “Empowerment means moving
from a position of enforced powerlessness to one of power. Women Empowerment would
promote women’s inherent strength and positive image”17. The concept ' empowerment' is
frequently used in general terms, often synonymous with a multi-dimensional definition of
poverty alleviation. The Government of India has been spending considerable amount of money
on women empowerment during every plan period. Women empowerment is the thrust area of
development today. Empowerment can be defined as a process of awareness and capacity-
building leading to greater participation, to greater decision-making power and control, and to
transformative action18. The work of Amartya Sen (1997) has also been influential in
broadening understanding of empowerment and deprivation. He argued that poverty led to denial
of rights and opportunities to the poor for full participation in society19.

15
Singh, o. R., 2001, Education and Women’s Empowerment. Social Welfare, Allhabad, Press,48(1) : 3536
16
Pillai j.k, Women and Empowerment, Gyan Publishing House, New Delhi, 1995, p. 21
17
Government of India, Country Report, Fourth World Conference on Women, Beijing 1995, Department of
Women and Child Development, Ministry of Human Resources Development, 1995, p. 116
18
"Oxford University' s Famous South Asian Graduates- Indira Gandhi". BBc News. 5 May 2010
19
Sen, Amartya, On Economic Inequality (Radclife Lectures), Oxford University Press, New York, June 1997
The Report of the National Commission on self employed women and women in the informal
sector (June 1988), has observed that poor women have always been exploited, especially in the
rural areas, bearing the double burden of being women and being poor. Both in rural and urban
areas in India, it is well established that the poor women have the least access to basic needs,
such as food, health and education, both within the family and outside. The National Perspective
Plan for Women 1988-2000 (1988) which has made a free, frank, objective and masterly
analysis of the impact of development plans and programmes of Indian women, concludes
“there is continued inequality and vulnerability of women in all sectors – economic, social,
political, educational, healthcare, nutritional and legal”20.

The National Policy for the Empowerment of Women 2001 has been formulated with the
objective of bringing about advancement, development and empowerment of women in all
walks of life. Women’s participation in grassroot organizations is increasingly recognized as
crucial to their empowerment and as a way for them to help shape development policies21. The
Government of India and Andhra Pradesh have started several programmes such as Integrated
Rural Development Programme (IRDP), Jowahar Rozgar Yojana (JRY), Sampoorna Gram
Rozgar Yojana (SGRY), Support to Training Employment Programme (STEP), Indira Kranthi
Patham (IKP) – (Formerly called as Velugu Project) etc. to promote the better livelihood and
well-being of women and achieve empowerment of women.

20
Pillai, J.B., Women and Empowerment, Gyan Publishing House, New Delhi, 1995
21
Karl, Marilee, Women and Empowerment, Participation and Decision Making, Zed Books, London, 1995
Chapter 3.

RELATION BETWEEN EMPOWERMENT AND EMPLOYMENT

Employment is the basic tools which can change the economic and social status of females in the
near future as well as over a long time. Further women empowerment is the utmost requirement
for the inclusive growth and development of a nation like India which is emerging over time and
accounts for 614.4 million female population (1.27 billion total populations).According to the
2011 census female literacy rate happens to be 65.56% as compared to male literacy of 82.14%.
If we consider the next major issue which can lead to female empowerment then disguised
employment underpayment of remuneration is quite visible. Contrary to common perception, a
large percentage of women in India work. National data collection agencies accept that statistics
seriously understate women's contribution as workers. However, there are far fewer women than
men in the paid workforce. In urban India, women participate in the workforce in impressive
numbers. According to the ILO’s Global Employment Trends 2013 report, India’s labor force
participation rate for women fell from just over 37 per cent in 2004-05 to 29 per cent in 2009-10.
Out of 131 countries with available data, India ranks 11th from the bottom in female labor force
participation. Also according to the International Labor Organization, India ranks in the bottom
20 of a list of 131 counties in female labor force participation. "Senior level female employees in
India are just 5 per cent compared to the global average of 20 per cent," In India almost 48 per
cent women drop out of workforce before they reach the middle of their careers, compared to the
Asia regional average of 29 per cent." In the area of women’s entrepreneurship, and although
government policies and promotion strategies have been giving new opportunities to women,
few have come forward. According to the same MSME Annual Report 2011-12, only 13.72 per
cent of enterprises in the registered MSME sector were enterprises managed by women. It is

Women Empowerment through Employment Opportunities in India primarily since the last two
decades that attempts to design programmes to promote women entrepreneurs as a part of
national development plans have begun to be taken notice of by women.

As per Census of Central Government Employees, in 2001, the female employment in Central
Government is 2.92 lakhs which is only 7.53 % of the total employment in Central Government.
As per Census 2001, at all India level, 10.35 % households are female headed and the average
size of female headed households is 4.00 whereas the average household size for male headed
households is 5.4.further the knowledge economy has certainly created a large number of never
before opportunities for women particularly in the service sector. Today one can see a women
entrepreneurs in almost every field, be it ICT, retails, service sector, health-care, insurance,
tourism, education and even international trade. In our day to day life we meet many
management and techno-savvy women professionals who are eager to plunge into the world of
business. Over time, the share of the self-employed has been rising among women. Large
sections of women are self-employed in both rural and urban areas, with their share being higher
in the villages (close to 64 per cent of women workers).Women are more inclined towards
achieving economic independence and as there is limited number of opportunities in the male
dominated society, they look for small business organizations. It is the need of the hour to
support such women so that economic potentiality of the fair sex increases which will help in the
overall growth.ivRecent statistics show that as per Census 2011, the work participation rate for
women is 25.51 percent as compared to 25.63 per cent in 2001. The Work Participation Rate of
Women has reduced marginally in 2011 but there is an improvement from 22.27 per cent in 1991
and 19.67 per cent in 1981. The work participation rate for women in rural areas is 30.02 per
cent as compared to 15.44 per cent in the urban areas. In so far as the organized sector is
concerned, in March, 2011 women workers constituted 20.5 percent of total employment in
organized sector in the country which is higher by 0.1 percent as compared to the preceding year.
As per the last Employment Review by Directorate General of Employment & Training
(DGE&T), on 31st March, 2011, about 59.54 lakh women workers were employed in the
organized sector (Public and Private Sector). Of this, nearly 32.14 lakh women were employed in
community, social and personal service sector.

CHAPTER 4

LEGISLATIVE SAFEGAURDS TO PRAMOTE WOMEN EMPLOYEMENT

In India, the percentage of women employed is low, due to various reasons, some of them being
safety and lack of workplace rules in place in the unorganized sector (domestic work). Thus they
require special protection – promotion of equality in a manner of positive enforcement. This
involves equal pay, implementation of laws preventing sexual harassment, maternity benefits,
etc. For the welfare of women workers, there are a variety of legislations with special provisions,
such as The Factories Act, 1948, The Mines Act, 1952, The Plantation Labour Act, 1951, and so
on. These provisions include provisions for separate washrooms, prohibition of hazardous work,
crèches, upper cap on working hours, upper cap on load which may be lifted by women,
prohibition of night work, etc. There has been a movement towards women empowerment in
labour law, the only thing it requires is awareness of rights and effective implementation.

1. The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 (Amended in 1995)

Section8 of the Act reads a follows after April 2, 2008: "Payment of medical bonus. (1) Every
woman entitled to maternity benefit under this Act shall also be entitled to receive from her
employer a medical bonus of one thousand rupees, if no prenatal confinement and post-natal care
is provided for by the employer free of charge. (2)The Central Government may before every
three years, by notification in the Official Gazette, increase the amount of medical bonus subject
to the maximum of twenty thousand rupees.

2. Equal Remuneration Act, 1976

The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976, enacted to implement Article 39(d) of the Constitution of
India and the Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (I.L.O. Convention 100) was designed for
the prevention of discrimination based on sex against women in employment. Under the Act, the
employer is obliged to pay equal remuneration to men and women workers for same work or
work of a similar nature. By „same work or work of a similar nature‟ is meant work in respect of
which the skill, effort, and responsibility required are the same, when performed under similar
working conditions. The Act also prohibits the discrimination against women during and
subsequent to the recruitment of women workers for the same work or work of a similar nature.
By the Equal Remuneration (Amendment) Act, 1987, discrimination against women during „any
condition of service subsequent to recruitment such as promotion, training or transfer‟ was
prohibited.

3. Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act,

2013 In pursuance to the Vishaka judgement, the Act of 2013 has been enacted to fill the gap in
statutory law on sexual harassment at the workplace. Sexual harassment has been defined as
„unwelcome acts of behaviour (whether directly or by implication) namely (a) physical contact
and advances or, (b) a demand or request for sexual favours or, (c) making sexually coloured
remarks or, (d) showing pornography or, (e) any other unwelcome physical, verbal or non-verbal
conduct of sexual nature. The Act mandates the constitution of an Internal Complaints
Committee (ICC) by the employer in every one of his offices and also mandates that the
Presiding Officer shall be a woman. A minimum of four persons constitute the ICC, nominated
by the employer and at least half of the members shall be women. An ICC can only be set up in
offices with more 40 AIR 1997 SC 3011 41 20.01.1999 19 | P a g e than ten workers. The Act
also mandates for the constitution of a Local Complaints Committee (LCC) which receives
complaints from establishments having less than 10 workers or if the complaint is against the
employer himself. The appropriate government notifies a district officer to discharge the
functions of this Act. The Act mandates that the Chairperson of the LCC shall be a woman. A
minimum of four persons constitute the LCC, and atleast half of the members shall be women.
Women workers in both the unorganized and organized sectors can seek remedies under the
provisions of this Act. Workers especially in the unorganized sector will first have to be
informed of their rights under this law and also be provided with support through trade unions or
NGO‟s for making complaints against either co-workers or employers.

4. Minimum Wages Act, 1948

The Minimum Wages Act, 1948, guarantees minimum rates of wages to workers who work in
scheduled employments listed in the Act. The scope of this act can be increased by adding new
schedules by the government. Any process or branch of work forming part of the scheduled
employment is also covered by this Act. This Act covers units employing even one worker and
includes wage workers, home-workers, piece-rated work, time rated work but excludes the self-
employed. Similarly, minimum rates of wages may be fixed by the hour, day, month, or by such
other wage period as may be prescribed. The minimum wage is not uniform since it varies from
one employment to another and the government can fix a different minimum wage for different
industries or even similar industries in different localities. It is applicable to agricultural, non-
agricultural and to rural as well as urban workers.

5. The Employees Compensation Act, 1923 Originally enacted as the Workmen‟s Compensation
Act in 1923, this legislation was renamed as the Employees Compensation Act in 2009. This Act
is one of the earliest social security legislations in India. The Act establishes a statutory duty of
the employer to pay monetary compensation to an employee, in case the latter acquires injury or
contracts any illness, in course of his/her work. To be eligible for compensation, a person must
be engaged in an employment listed in Schedule II of the Act, which has a range of occupations.
Additionally, contract workers and casual workers are also covered by the Act. In addition to
death or injury arising out of accidents, an employee is also eligible to claim compensation of
contracting certain occupational diseases, listed in Schedule III of the Act

Issues and other Major Problems Faced by Women Entrepreneurs

Women in India and even other countries face gender biasness and at times working in
government or private organizations lead to many types of exploitations like low wage rates as
compared to their male counterparts, sexual harassment, family pressure etc. Self-employed
women or upcoming female entrepreneurs are free from few of the above mentioned problems.
The government is also trying to tap the skills of these ambitious females by providing them the
required support. But the fact remains that females face immense problems in rural as well as
urban areas to start a business. Developed countries like Britain and Canada show that females
own one third of the business in the society and they enjoy much more freedom as compared to
females in emerging economies. Gender budgeting at the government’s end and family support
on the personal front is a must for females in a patriarchal society like India. Given these
conditions, the basic problems still jolting on women entrepreneurship are the following:

Stiff competition from male establishments.

Shortage of raw materials

Family conflicts

Legal awareness

Low risk taking ability

Limited financial capacity

Requirement of Entrepreneurial training

Apart from these basic problems, availability of finance and credit facilities for females is a big
issue. Generally banks or other credit lending institutions fail to recognize women
entrepreneurial aptitude and do not want to take a chance by providing them financial assistance.
Hence the role of the government becomes very important.

Government Schemes to Empower Women

Development of women has been a policy objective of the government since independence. Until
the 70s the concept of women‘s development was mainly welfare oriented. In 1970s, there was a
shift from welfare approach to development approach that recognized the mutually reinforcing
nature of the process of development.In the 80s a multi-disciplinary approach was adopted with
an emphasis on three core areas of health, education and employment. Women were given
priorities in all the sectors including SSI sector. Government and non government bodies have
paid increasing attention to women‘s economic contribution through self employment and
industrial ventures. Further the government has come up with many schemes from time to time
to educate females. To name a few:Mahila Samakhya Programme, Kasturba Gandhi Balika
Vidyalaya Scheme (KGBV), and National Programme for Education of Girls at Elementary
Level (NPEGEL). Also a Nirbhaya scheme was started in the union budget in 2013 to support
initiatives by the government and NGOs working towards protecting the dignity and ensuring
safety of women in India. Though the government has come up with many schemes for social
welfare of the weaker sex, the end result has been depressing because the implementation
process is either very slow or graft and nepotism is very prevalent in the economy. Government
should take special care to implement the policies with honesty and on time so that the growth
process of the nation speeds up. Along with it the private sector should also take the initiative in
assisting women skill formation. And finally well educated, financially sound and resource full
women should take necessary steps to help uneducated and poor women in attaining education as
well as vocational trainings for required skill formation which open up employment
opportunities for the needful. There are such NGOs, training centers and government schemes
which aid urban as well as rural females. Few recent initiatives need mention eg, Federation of
Indian Women Entrepreneurs (FIWE), a National-level organization, founded in 1993 and
registered under Society Act of India in May 1999, is today, one of India’s Premier Institution
for Women thoroughly devoted towards Entrepreneurship Development in the country. It has
branches in different states of India with membership base of 15,000 individual members
/professionals and more than 28 Member Associations spread throughout the country. Another
such example is Shri Mahila SEWA Sahakari Bank; a separate bank of poor, self-employed,
women workers was established at the initiative of 4,000 self-employed women workers with a
capital of Rs 60,000 in 1974. So government and the private organizations have been aware
about women welfare but the process needs to pick up the momentum.
CONCLUSION

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru said, “To awaken the people, it is women who must be awakened; once
she is on the move, the family moves, the village moves and the nation moves”. The all-round
development and harmonious growth of a nation would be possible only when women are given
their desired place and position in the society and are treated as equal partners of progress with
men. The plans and programmes pertaining to women are not charity but an investment in the
country’s future with high rates of return. Confinement and subjugation of women to routine
household work, and denial of productive skills and decision-making will do irreparable damage
to the nation. It will make the nation weak and insecure, encourage internal domination and
exploitation by caste, class and gender factors, external domination and exploitation.
Empowerment of Women contributes to social development 16. Economic progress in any
country whether developed or under-developed, could be achieved through social development.
A woman should get proper status in the society. Her role should not be confined to routine
household but she should be made an important constituent of the society, which is called
empowerment. It means, to let women live their own life in a way they think appropriate on the
basis of their conditions, family circumstances, qualities and capabilities of which they
themselves are the best judges. Demand for empowering is not a demand for equality or
superiority, it is the demand to let women realize their ‘own true self’, which would not be
denied to women on any basis whatsoever, anywhere, and any time.