Вы находитесь на странице: 1из 8

STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF WOMEN AND

YOUTH IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT


Sarah Ahtesham
Doctoral Research Scholar
Osmania University, Hyderabad, Telangana
Sarah.aht@gmail.com

Nishat Ahtesham
PhD Scholar
USMS, GGSIPU
nishat0702@gmail.com

ABSTRACT
The development that meets the needs of present without compromising the ability
of future generations to meet their own needs can be termed as sustainable
development. Two underlining concepts are involved here- the idea of needs, i.e.
addressing the essential needs of the worlds poor, to which overriding priority
should be given. Secondly, the idea of limitations imposed by technology and
social organization on the environments ability to meet present and future needs.
The world today revolves around tactfully tackling the pros and cons of
sustainable development. Pros for the future generations and cons for existing
firms expecting huge returns without compromising on the quality of material used
or the hazards caused to build up the final piece of output.
This research paper deals with such issues which are directly or indirectly linked
to the concept of sustainable development. Through this paper we also try to
analyze public participation in sustainable development. Here we elaborate the
participation of women in sustainable development; the international community
has approved several action programs and conventions to promote womens full
and equal participation in sustainable development. Such action plans shall be
discussed in detail. Issues related to enhancing womens social status and
eliminating any discrimination against them will also be acknowledged.

Participation of children and youth in sustainable development shall also be


analyzed and elaborated in this research paper. India is a country with young
population structure and therefore makes an important force in the promotion of
environmental protection and sustainable development. Hence, predicting the
expected difference that can be constructed through involvement of overall public
to realize long term strategic objectives relating to the future of mankind. Finally
some suggestions from the authors perspective along with a conclusion drawn.

KEY WORDS sustainable development, public participation, gender


equity, strategy and roles, women, youth.

OBJECTIVES
To analyze the status of women in Indian society
To examine the barriers women face as a hurdle in participating in sociodevelopmental programs.
To conduct a generalized survey analyzing the awareness in women about
programs relates to social development and the manner in which women can
contribute in sustainable development.
To find the involvement of youth in sustainable development and the
responsibilities on youth.
INTRODUCTION
According to a United Nations report, Indias population currently encompasses
about 1.2 billion people, the second largest population of world and is expected to
grow by another 300 million within the next couple of decades. A peculiar trend
has been observed lately, with cities generating two-thirds of the countrys
economic output, an increasing number of Indians are leaving rural areas to seek
employment in cities, relying on an efficient urban infrastructure. By 2030 it is
predicted that 68 Indian cities will each have more than one million inhabitants,
and six megacities, more than ten million each. Increase in population has its own

counter reactions and pressure on squeezing out maximum from the existing
resources. The rapid growth of cities causes a large number of challenges,
including insufficient power supply , unreliable public transportation systems ,
limited access to adequate medical treatment and many more. Here is where the
role of sustainable development comes into existence. "Sustainable
development is development that meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Through this article we try to emphasize the role of public participation in
sustainable development .The support and participation of public and social groups
is essential to the achievement of sustainable development. Here we address the
role of women, youth and indigenous groups. The form and degree of their
participation determines the rate at which the objectives of sustainable
development are realized.
Almost all ministries of the Government of India are involved in decision making
for sustainable development, as per agenda 21 of united antions. Government of
India has have formulated legislation, regulations and policy instruments to
address matters concerning cooperation for Sustainable Development at subregional, regional and International level. There are legislation regulations and
policy instruments framed to fulfil obligation under the agreements signed under
the International Conferences, MEAs, etc. Agenda 21, the international blue-print
for sustainable development, emphasizes the requirement for consultation, public
participation and involvement, public awareness, capacity-building and
partnerships in attaining sustainable development. With this research paper we
shall try to analyze the role of women and youth participation in sustainable
development.
PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Womens responsibilities place them in a unique position to improve human and
economic well-being, and to conserve and maintain the natural environment. Yet,
their needs, their work and their voices are often not considered a priority even
today.

The general failure to provide equal opportunities for women to pursue education
and economic self-sufficiency has meant that a disproportionate number of women
are poor. Without adequate education, many are stuck in low-paying, low-status
jobs if they are able to work outside the home at all. These social barriers
exclusion, low status and poverty are also barriers to a sustainable future.
Within past few decades India has developed progressively. Democracy,
legislation, policies and legal mechanisms are essential prerequisites to guarantee
women participation in sustainable development. The international community has
promoted several action programs and conventions to promote participation of
women in sustainable development. Agenda 21 requires that each nation adapt the
rights stipulated in the international convention to its own national law and take
measures to guarantee its positive implementation. The agenda also focuses on
elimination of all obstacles which hinder women from participating in sustainable
development. It aims to eliminate social prejudices against women and building up
their capacities. India has done large amount of concrete work for the
implementation of the documents and has stipulated many laws to guarantee
womens right to full and equal participation in sustainable development.
As far as the practical applicability of the agenda is concerned it still seems more
nurturing in theoretical aspect. Whereas Indias traditional ideology to place men at
an advantage over women, the participation of Indian women in sustainable
development seems yet too far. Nations economic or social development obviously
comes next to ones own liberation. Though women have been provided equal
opportunity by the government norms, still the actual condition of women,
especially in rural areas is far behind even understanding the idea of social
development. There still exist prejudice and discrimination against women in the
society. The women in rural areas are shouldering double task of social production
and child bearing. Availability of basic amenities is a serious concern. Indian
society is still patriarchal in nature and hence womens decisions are still
dependent on the approval of male in the house. All these factors cause a hindrance
for women to participate in socio-developmental programmes.
To provide equal opportunities to women the government of India has made
several attempts since decades. Right from the very first five year plan (1951-56)

the focus has been make clear on the importance of the role of women in
development. Towards equality report (1974) saw significant change in the
governments policy for women, where they were viewed as critical groups for
development. Women and child development department was established under
ministry of human resource development in 1985. Twelfth plan year plan entitled
as Faster, Sustainable and More Inclusive growth, has widely expanded its
boundaries to accommodate the cause of women development.
With such extended efforts made by government aiming exclusively at women
empowerment is proving fruitful, but at slower than expected rate. Number of
women are also getting benefitted from such schemes and coming out of their shell
to be an independent and responsible citizen. It is an essential fact that women
once get liberated from their own exploitative circumstances, would be in a
position to judge issues related to state and nation. It is also a bare fact that women
contribute almost 50% of a nations population, and the nation as a whole would
prosper when this segment would be allowed to contribute its share. As per survey
among BRICS nations, Indian women have the lowest rate of work participation
i.e. 29%.
A survey conducted among 50 women in area of vijaynagar colony, Hyderabad; to
find out their awareness about sustainable development the following statistics
were derived.

Chart Title
women
aware
women
unaware

Percentage of women aware about


sustainable development =35% percentage of women unaware =65%

It is high time to introspect womens involvement as a crucial element in socio


developmental issues, which involves providing them basic awareness.
ROLE OF YOUTH IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Youth in the age group of 15-29 years comprise 27.5% of the population in India.
At present, about 34% Gross National Income (GNI) of India is contributed by the
youth, aged 15-29 years. However, there exists a huge potential to increase the
contribution of this class of the nations citizenry by increasing their labor force
participation along with their productivity.
The international community is greatly concerned towards youth participation in
sustainable development, and has put forth many proposals along with actions to
ensure that the youth will be able to enjoy a safe and healthy future, which includes
healthy natural environment, education and employment opportunities, high living
standards etc. with a high percentage of population falling in youth category,
makeup an important force in the promotion of sustainable development. Without
the overall participation of youth it is impossible to realize the long term strategic
objectives of development.
The Indian government currently invests more than 90000 crores per annum on
youth development programs, through youth targeted (higher education, skill
development and health care) and non targeted (food subsidies, employment etc)
programs seeking youth development and productive youth participation. Currently
the focus is to empower the youth of the country to achieve their full potential and
through them enable India to find its rightful place in the community of nations.
India is expected to become the 4th largest economy most probably by 2025,
contributing to about 5.5%-6% of the world GDP, only after the United States,
China and Japan. While most of these countries face the risk of an ageing
workforce, India is expected to have a very favorable demographic profile with one
third population under the age group of youth. The population of India is expected

to exceed 1.3 billion by 2020 with a median age of 28 which is considerably lesser
than the probable median ages of China and Japan. The working population of
India, is expected to increase to 592 million by 2020, next only to China (776
million), pointing to the fact that youth will make a significant contribution to the
economic development of the country. Thus, this demographic dividend offers a
great opportunity to India. Government of India is thus making significant
developments in creating a productive workforce that can make a sustainable
contribution to the countrys economic development. Whereas, it is the
responsibility of youth to capitalize the opportunity to its best towards their
development. Youth is at a better advantage as they have fresh ideas, new thinking
and high energy to implement them to the benefit of society. With an advantage of
government support, schemes and various programs, its easier for the youth to set a
mark for themselves. As they are on the track of self development, it is also
expected that they contribute equal importance to contributing their ideas,
philosophies and researches to channelize the socio-developmental process.
Sustainable development is an agenda for the next generation, their benefit and
well being, and hence it is huge responsibility on youth to make a contribution for
the path ahead in what so ever possible way. Their ignorance on the issue would
lead the efforts go vein, and lead the issue of development on a blind path. No
doubt youth has been participating in the motive, but it is need of the hour to
maximize the percentage to fullest. Also young people must meaningfully involve
in the global policy debate. Recently rio+20 meeting on sustainable development
also had youth in focus.
CONCLUSION
The research paper depicts the current status of awareness among women related to
socio developmental issues, which is found to be very low. Also an analysis has
been made to find out hurdles faced by women in India; the study indicates that
family issues and over burden of house hold work and managing a career has been
a factor causing hindrance to participate in social and development programs. We
also try to analyze the status of youth in the country, where we find that their
population is increasing at a constant rate and they have been receiving good
assistance from government to improve on their skills and hence it becomes their

responsibility to contribute maximum towards developmental issues of the nation,


especially sustainable development.
REFERENCES

http://www.siemens.co.in/sustainable-development-in-india/
https://www.google.co.in/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF8#q=sustainable%20development
http://www.un.org/esa/agenda21/natlinfo/countr/india/eco.htm
http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/sdissues/energy/op/hydro_hongpeng.pdf
http://www.unep.org/Documents.multilingual/Default.asp?
DocumentID=52&ArticleID=72&l=en
http://www.bu.edu/pardee/files/2010/04/UNsdkp003fsingle.pdf
http://www.jsdafrica.com/Jsda/V10N4_Spring2009/PDF/SustainableDevlopmentNigera.pdf
http://www.thecho.in/files/Satarupa-Pal.pdf
http://www.jnu.ac.in/Students/National%20Youth%20Policy%202014.pdf

Вам также может понравиться