WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

DEFINITION The term “empowerment of women”

refers to the process of providing power to woman to become free from the control of others, that is, to assume power to control her own life and to determine her own conditions.

“Women empowerment refers to increasing the spiritual, political, social or economic strength of women. It often involves the empowered developing confidence in their own capacities”.

PROBLEMS OF WOMEN IN MODERN INDIA Increasing Violence Against Women Gender Discrimination Problems of Female Education Problems Relating to Employment and

Unemployment of women: Harassment of women at workplace Exploitation of women in the media Divorce and desertion The problem of dowry Decline in the political participation of

women

COMPONENTS OF WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

Women's sense of self-worth Right to have and to determine choices Right to have access to opportunities

and resource Right to have the power to control their

own lives, both within and outside the home

Ability to influence the direction of social change to create a more just social and economic orders, nationally and internationally

FACTORS AFFECTING WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

Educational problems Gender prejudice - Problem related with health Poverty Societal issues Low confidence Lack of unity Ignorance Traditional barriers

FACTORS FACILITATING EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN

Acknowledging womens rights Freedom to take decisions and choices Access to education and employment Educate girls Opportunities for political participation

NATIONAL POLICY FOR THE EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN Goal and Objectives

Creating an environment through positive economic and social policies for full development of women to enable them to realize their full potential

Fundamental freedom by women on equal basis with men in all spheres – political, economic, social, cultural and civil

Equal access to participation and decision making of women in social, political and economic life of the nation

Equal access to women to health care, quality education at all levels, career and vocational guidance, employment, equal remuneration, occupational health and safety, social security and public office etc. 

Strengthening legal systems aimed at elimination of all forms of discrimination against women

Changing societal attitudes and community practices by active participation and involvement of both men and women.

Mainstreaming a gender perspective in the development process.

Elimination of discrimination and all forms of violence against women and the girl child; and

Building and strengthening partnerships with civil society, particularly women’s organizations.

POLICY PRESCRIPTIONS

Judicial Legal Systems Decision Making Mainstreaming a Gender Perspective in

the Development Process Economic Empowerment of women Social Empowerment of Women Women in Difficult Circumstances Violence against women Rights of the Girl Child Mass Media Legislation

SPECIFIC MEASURES Strict enforcement of all relevant legal

provisions and speedy redressal of grievances will be ensured, with a special focus on violence and gender related atrocities.

Measures to prevent and punish sexual harassment at the place of work, protection for women workers in the organized/ unorganized sector and strict enforcement of relevant laws such as Equal Remuneration Act and Minimum Wages Act will be undertaken

Crimes against women, their incidence, prevention, investigation, detection and prosecution will be regularly reviewed at all Crime Review fora and Conferences at the Central, State and District levels. Recognised, local, voluntary organizations will be authorized to lodge Complaints and facilitate registration, investigations and legal proceedings related to violence and atrocities against girls and women.

Women’s Cells in Police Stations, Encourage Women Police Stations Family Courts, Mahila Courts, Counselling Centers, Legal Aid Centers and Nyaya Panchayats will be strengthened and expanded to eliminate violence and atrocities against women.

Widespread dissemination of information on all aspects of legal rights, human rights and other entitlements of women, through specially designed legal literacy programmes and rights information programmes will be done.

NATIONAL MISSION FOR EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN

Support to Training and EmploymentProgramme of Women (STEP) scheme

“Priyadarshini” scheme Swarjjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY) India Vision 2020 Helplines for Women Women’s Leadership Summit 2010 Women’s Reservation Bill 2010: India’s Tirade Against Anti-Woman Activities

OTHER LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

The Hindu Marriage Act (1955) The Hindu Succession Act (1956), Dowry Prohibition Act (1961) Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act

(1971) Equal Remuneration Act (1976) Child Marriage Restraint Act (1976) Immoral Trafficking (Prevention) Act

(1986) Pre-natal Diagnostic Technique

(Regulation and Prevention of Measure) Act (1994)