STUDY OF VARIOUS COMPONENTS OF WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT

The extent of empowerment of women in the national hierarchy is determined largely by the three factors – her economic, social and political identity and their weightage. These factors are deeply intertwined and interlinked with many cross cutting linkages which imply that if efforts in even one dimension remain absent or weak, outcomes and momentum generated by the other components cannot be sustained as they will not be able to weather any changes or upheavals. It is only when all the three factors are simultaneously addressed and made compatible with each other can the woman being truly empowered. Therefore, for holistic empowerment of the woman to happen - social, economic and political aspects impacting a woman’s life must converge effectively. Women as an independent group constitute 48% of the country’s total population as per the 2001 Census. The importance of women as an important human resource was recognized by the Constitution of India which not only accorded equality to women but also empowered the State to adopt measures of positive discrimination in their favour. A number of Articles of the Constitution specially reiterated the commitment of the constitution towards the socio economic development of women and upholding their political right and participation in decision making. ARTICLES Article 14 - Men and women to have equal rights and opportunities, in the political, economic and social spheres. Article 15(1) - Prohibits discrimination against any citizen on the, grounds of religion, race, caste, sex etc. Article 15(3) - Special provision enabling the State to make, affirmative discriminations in favour of women. Article 16 - Equality of opportunities in matter of public, appointments for all citizens. Article 39(a) - The State shall direct its policy towards securing all, citizens men and women, equally, the right to means of livelihood. Article 39(d) – Equal pay for equal work for both men and women., Article 42 - The State to make provision for ensuring just and, humane conditions of work and maternity relief. Article 51 (A) (e) –To renounce the practices derogatory to the, dignity of women. Drawing the strength from the constitutional commitments, the Government of India has been engaged in the continuous endeavor of concretely translating all the rights, commitments and safe guards incorporated in the Indian Constitution for women from de jure to de facto status. ‘Empowerment’ refers to increasing the spiritual, political, social or economic strength of individuals and communities. It often involves the empowered developing confidence in their own capacities. Women Empowerment is most vital system to strengthen the future of women in India. It is a systematic approach which needs to develop more seriously in India. Women Empowerment is the ability of women to exercise full control over one’s actions. In the past, women were treated as mere house-makers. They were expected to be bound to the house, while men went out and worked. This division of labour was and is still in a few parts of the country one of the major reason because of which certain evils took birth in our society child marriage, female infanticide, women trafficking. The government has passed many laws so as to empower the women. These rules have empowered them socially, economically, legally and politically. For example recentll indian government is determined to pass 33% Women's reservation bill in Lok Sabha and State assemblies. Not only the government but various non-governmental organisations have done a lot so as to improve the status of woman in our society. Status of women in ancient India was much better. The women enjoyed equal status with men in all fields of life. However, some others hold contrasting views. Works by ancient Indian grammarians such as Patanjali and Katyayana suggest that women were educated in the early Vedic period Rigvedic verses suggest that the women married at a mature age and were probably free to select their husband. Scriptures such as Rig Veda and Upanishads mention several women sages and seers, notably Gargi and Maitreyi. According to studies, women enjoyed equal status and rights during the early Vedic period. However, later (approximately 500 B.C.), the status of women began to decline with the Smritis (esp. Manusmriti) and with the Islamic invasion of Babur and the Mughal empire and later Christianity curtailing women's freedom and rights. Although reformatory movements such as Jainism allowed women to be admitted to the religious order, by and large, the women in India faced confinement and restrictions. The practice of child marriages is believed to have started from around sixth century. The questions surrounding women's empowerment the condition and position of women have now become critical to the human rights based approaches to development. The Cairo conference in 1994 organized by UN on Population and Development called attention to women's empowerment as a central focus and UNDP developed the Gender Empowerment measure (GEM) which focuses on the three variables that reflect women's participation in society – political power or decision making, education and health. 1995 UNDP report was devoted to women's empowerment and it declared that if human development is not engendered it is endangered a declaration which almost become a lei motif for further development measuring and policy planning. Equality, sustainability and empowerment were emphasized and the stress was, that women's emancipation does not depend on national income but is an engaged political process. Hopefully the Women's Reservation Bill of reserving 33% seats in indian parliament and state assemblies, which has long awaited to see day light will be passed this time.Now seeing both INC and BJP national parties in its favor. It would rightfully be a big and positive step in women empowerment in India where Women have waited long enough to be empowered. on 8th March 2010 the parliamentary session will have debate on this bill. Women in India now participate in all activities such as education, politics, media, art and culture, service sectors, science and technology, etc. The Government of India declared 2001 as the Year of Women's Empowerment (Swashakti). The National Policy for the Empowerment of Women came was passed in 2001.