Women

Empowerment
BY REMYA CHANDRAN
The origin of a child is a mother, a woman…. she
shows a man what caring, sharing and loving is all
about.
That is the essence of a woman.

Sushmita Sen
Miss Universe 1994
What does Empowerment mean?
 The manifestation of redistribution of power that challenges patriarchal ideology and
male dominance. (Chandra 1997)
 Process aimed at changing the nature and direction of systematic forces which
marginalize women and other disadvantaged sections in a given context. (Sharma 1992.)
 The empowerment of a person or group of people is the process of giving them power
and status in a particular situation (Collins Dictionary).
 Holistic (Political, Social and Economic); Universal (equal opportunity and level
playing field); Participative and Inclusive (Anjali Goyal 2005)
 Awareness/consciousness, choice/alternatives, resources, voice, agency and
participation (Charmes & Wieringa 2003).
 Power implies ability to make choices (Kabeer 2001:08)
What is Women Empowerment?
Women empowerment is the process, and the outcome of the process, by which
 Women challenge gender-based discrimination in all the institutions and structures of the
society.
 Active participation in social economic and political spheres.
 Process of decision making empowerment.
 Desired self-respect.
 Social dignity.
 Involvement of women in decision making process.
Need for Women Empowerment?
Econom
ical

Women Educati
Social Developme onal
nt

Political
Problems faced by women in our country

 Domestic Violence  Gender discrimination

 Dowry  Female infanticide
 Sexual harassment at workplace  Child marriage
 Lack of education  Acid Attack
 Financial constraint  Rape
 Family responsibility  Trafficking
 Social status  Sanitation
 Malnutrition  Maternal mortality
Ways to achieve Women empowerment

Economic
Social
Political
Cultural
Women empowerment – Economic
Economic empowerment can be achieved via
 Poverty Eradication
 Micro Credit
 Women and Economy
 Globalization
 Women and Agriculture
 Women and Industry
 Support Services
 Improving the flow and access of credit and finance for women through financial institutions
for female entrepreneurs at the governmental and non-governmental levels.
Women empowerment – Social
Social empowerment can be achieved via
 Education for women
 Healthcare for women
 Participation of women in development of science and technology
 Housing and Shelter
Women empowerment – Political
Political empowerment can be achieved via
 Education and training without gender based bias
 Increasing awareness regarding the rights of an employee.
 Encouraging and supporting women entrepreneurs
 Equal representation in government, non-governmental bodies and private enterprises.
 Building and strengthening networks where women come together from different nations and
regions for common goal economic empowerment of women.
Women empowerment – Cultural

There should be a change in the mind set of society on a fundamental level.

Cultural empowerment as such can be achieved only when women are treated as human beings
first and foremost.
They should have the same security and freedom as men.
The society should fight against violence and discrimination on women and also for the rights
of the Girl Child.
How we enforce Women empowerment
The principle of gender equality or equal right for women is enshrined in the Indian Constitution
The Constitution empowers the State to adopt measures of positive discrimination in favor of
women.
One-third reservation for Women in the urban and Local Self-Government.
Free and compulsory education- a justifiable right for all children between the age group of 6-14
years.
National Policy for Women Empowerment (2001)-advancement, development and empowerment
of women

Some of the government agencies which work on ensuring this are

 The National Commission for Women ,1990
 Kerala State Women’s Development Corporation
 Kerala State Women’s Commission
 Kerala State Social Welfare Board
How we enforce Women empowerment ….contd.
Listed are few of the important sections / acts in the Indian Penal code which are for enforcing
women empowerment and the rights of women.
 Section 304(b) -murder of women in connection with demand of dowry.
 Sections 312 to 318 -miscarriage.
 Section 366-A deals -procuration of minor girls for sexual purpose.
 Section 376 -punishment for rape
 Section 498-A -women to cruelty by her husband or relatives
 Section 509- punishment for uttering words and gesture or act intended to insult the modesty
of a woman
 The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961
 The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971 :
 The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976
 The Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1976
 The Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986
 The Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987
 If Empowered Women do achieve great.

P T Usha

Saina Nehwal

Kiran Bedi

Kalpana Chawla

and the list goes on and on ….

Come lets join hands For

Thank You 