SESSION-II

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT
Introduction:
Empowering women is not a buzz word. While measures are taken to promote women’s empowerment one should
ensure that no cultural aspects are disrespects. Men and women play various roles in family as well as in the society.
Crimes against Women:
a) Domestic violence
b) Acid throwing
c) Dowry
d) Female infanticide and sex selective abortion
e) Sexual harassment
f) Trafficking

Women Empowerment: Empowerment is the process of increasing the authority and responsibility of individuals or
groups to make choices and to transform those choices into desired actions and outcome and by which women challenge
gender based discrimination in every institution and structures of the society.

Women empowerment is chain process which needs support from all the sides as follows;
 Reproductive health
 Economic empowerment
 Educational empowerment
 Political empowerment
 Environmental protection

Reproductive health

The ability of women to control their own fertility act as a foundation to women’s empowerment and equality.
She should be given freedom to protect and promote her reproductive rights. Women are considered the most vulnerable or
weaker section due to physiological and social reasons. Pregnancy and child birth related complications are ranked as the
number two killer of women of reproductive age. If we don’t give adequate information, treatment, nutrition and other
favourable conditions to women that can be addressed as gender discrimination.

Economic Empowerment:
Economic disparities are found between men and women. This is mainly because most unpaid and underpaid work has
been allotted to women within families and communities. This scenario should change and women should be treated equal
to men.

Educational Empowerment:
Education is the foundation factor for all the other factors that empower women. Though there is significant progress
towards universal primary education, only 87 out of 100 children complete primary school and more than 50 % of those
that do not attend school are girls. Women’s educational attainment definitely would benefit individuals as well the future
generations.

Political Empowerment:
Worldwide only 22% of parliamentarians are women. Gender equality should be enforced through various institutions. In
India, since the inception of women in to power at the local level enhanced the provision of public goods such as water and
sanitation.

Environmental protection:
Actually women have no or little control over on the resources which they depend on. And again if women are asked to
manage the resources with full power the outcome will be extremely good. For example, in Gujarat forest conditions
improved markedly by recognizing women’s representation in forest committees. There should be increased access to
credit, land, employment and training. Millennium development goals focus on empowering women through education,
economic opportunities and access to family planning. All these are closely related and offer foundation for population
control.
Role of Women:
Reproductive, productive and community managing role.

Indian Government has started several schemes to empower women in various spheres. The principles of gender equality
are also enshrined in the Constitution of India. The Indian government has recognised various women issues. Some of the
government schemes are as follows;
1. Mahila E-haat scheme was launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development on 7 March, 2016 to
support women entrepreneurs. It is basically a direct online marketing platform.
2. Women Helpline Scheme was launched on 1 April, 2015.
3. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme provide education to girls and their welfare.
4. Ujjawala scheme is a Comprehensive Scheme for Prevention of trafficking and Rescue, Rehabilitation and Re-
integration of Victims of Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation.
5. STEP Scheme is Support to training and Employment Programme for Women which provide skills that give
employability to women.
6. Priyadasrshini Scheme is a Women Empowerment and Livelihood programme in Mid-Gangetic Plains.
7. Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana was launched in 2010. It is a Conditional Maternity Benefit (CMB)
Scheme of the Government of India.
8. National Mission for Empowerment of Women was launched on 15 August, 2011 to empower women
holistically.