Women Empowerment

I. Introduction

As we know, women are the backbone of our society and the pillar of every family. Men and women hold equal rights in society, but when men and women are treated unequal, then it is called gender inequality. Where women are deprived of some rights like education, decision making, doing the job or any kind of business. Even women are the victim of domestic violence and abusive marriage. Women are equal to men but still not getting their equal respect. Women are not free to express their opinion on anything. As we know, equality is ensured in the Indian constitution in its preamble, fundamental rights, fundamental duties and directive principles. The constitution not only grants equality to women but also allows the state to adopt positive discrimination in favour of women.

As we know, there are several women who have achieved something for the country and made us proud of our country, like mother Teresa, who established many missionaries of charity, and she became the first Indian woman to win a Nobel peace prize in 1979. Our 1^st woman Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was the first women Prime Minister of our country and served for 10 years and also; she became the first woman to receive the Bharat Ratan. Kalpana Chawla was the first woman of India who ventured into space in 1997. There are many women who contribute their power to the country, but still, women are deprived by society. Women's empowerment cannot be achieved in one day. It is a long chain of little effort every day. It is very necessary for Indian men to understand the power of women and let them go ahead to make themselves independent.

Every Indian need to change their mind towards women and strictly follow aa the rules made for women empowerment. This change should be brought, things won’t change in a day, but with every single effort, we can change the condition.

II. Government scheme and policies

Government have launched various scheme over the year for girls like Beti Bachao Beti padhao yojana, Mahila shakti kendra, Sukanya samridhi yojana, and many more. It is truly and commonly accepted that an empowered woman is a real changemaker for her family, her society and her community. However, one thing has the potential to enhance the status of women in society, and that is the empowerment of women. Women empowerment has been effective through the various initiative. The government of India is working actively towards empowering women through various policies, plans, schemes. Over the past few years government has introduced several schemes that focus on providing their social dignity and ambition as women fulfil their needs. As the government has come forward to bring equality in every aspect to empower every woman and to uphold child education.

The prime goal of all the central and state government schemes for women is to provide them protection, better health facilities, enough education to make them employable and make them financially strong. All these government schemes and policies aim to bring about the advancement, development and empowerment of women.

III. Civil and political rights of women

Women have the right to vote who is eligible for the election to all publicly elected bodies without any discrimination. Women also have the right to hold the office of profit and exercise all public functions. Women have the right to vote and elect the representative and the right to form political parties or join them. Unfortunately, many women of our country are not aware of their right, which is provided in different Indian laws.

Women empowerment is necessary for the improvement of any country’s future as women play more responsibilities of managing the family and household simultaneously contribute to other works. No one can ignore the role of women who can play the role of mother, sister, wife, daughter of the family as women have created an unbeatable position in the world where their names can be remembered.

As women are claiming the socio-political right like the right to work, right to education, right to decide etc.

IV. Legal provision for women empowerment

Women have the right to equal pay, as mentioned in the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976, that no one can discriminate against on the basis of gender when it comes to salary and wages; working women have the right to equal pay as men. Women have the right to workplace harassment, whereas the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013 gives a right to women who can file a form of Sexual harassment complaint at her workplace under this act, she can submit a written complaint to the branch office to an internal complaint committee. Women have the right against domestic violence as per section 498-A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, seek to protect a wife from domestic violence at the hand of husband or relatives. Women have the right to get free legal aid under the Legal Service Authority Act, 1987; female rape victims have the right to receive free legal aid from legal service authorities. As Article 14 of the Indian constitution provides equality Before the law, that is, no person irrespective of sex will be denied equality before the law and equal protection of the state. Where Article 15 prohibits discrimination against women as it mentioned that “the state shall not discriminate against any citizens on the ground of sex, religions, gender, place of birth”.

The parliament of India has passed many provisions to protect women from various injustices and discrimination. The provision like the Dowry prohibition act 1961, prohibition of child marriage act 2006, sexual harassment of women at the workplace (prevention, protection and) act- 2013.

V. Conclusion

Women empowerment is required demand for a better future and to draw the best image Infront of society. If women are given power, they can do anything for the development and proof the power of women. As government have initiated several NGOs to make awareness to empower women, but true women empowerment will be achieved when gender inequality is eliminated. We need to give equal opportunity to women as men get and need to be strong and alert every time of their growth and development. Women should be able to express themselves freely individual empowerment for the process of self-confidence.

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