EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN

Meaning

• Empowerment of women means development of women

• The Constitution of India also specify regarding rights & privileges of women under , the head – “Fundamental Rights”

• Article 14, 15,15(3), 16, 39,42,51 (A) contains various provisions for equal rights & opportunities for women.

• Amendments – 73 & 74 provides 1/3rd of total no. of seats reserved for women in – Panchayat (50% from 27-08-2009)– Municipality and local bodies and Local self

Government (incorporated under State Act.)

• Several bills & laws have been passed under different Acts to protect the human rights for women.

Population

• Female population of India is 48% (2001 census)

• 73 rd & 74 th amendments 1993 to the Constitution of India provides 33.3% reservation for women in all local Govt. bodies.(Now revised to 50%)

Pillars of Empowerment

1. Literacy ( very low in rural areas)

2. Education is necessary to impart to women

3. Better health facilities ( for mother & child)

4. Nutrition

5. Political representation ( Gram Panchayat to Lok Sabha)

6. Financial securitya. Equal opportunity for self employment

b. Self- relience

• This all depends on:

a. Making Women aware about their rights

b. Creating a conducive atmosphere

c. Giving due opportunity to live (Equal opportunities are not given hence not getting equal wages)

• Indian women are now working in every field:1. Engineering 2. Medical3. Management 4. Administrative Services 5. Industries 6. Police & Armed forces7. Politics 8. Education & Judiciary9. Public & Private sector10. Business entrepreneur and Corporate Houses.

• Great potential exist in Women. Men & Women are two wheels of our country . Both the wheels should move together for smooth movement.

• Discrimination exist in society. This discrimination (difference) is required to be removed.

• Equal opportunity & powers to women will Empower a women.

• Microfinance has Empowered women.

• The society has to change attitude towards girl-child & women.

• There is need to create awareness in the society to fight against discrimination & violence against women (i.e. Torturing, depriving, exploitation , humiliating etc.)

• “The Father of Nation”-Mahatma Gandhi desired that:-Women should enjoy the same rights as men in

every walk of life, i.e. • Cultural – Social • Political – Economic• Developmental process• Decision making etc.

• The Hon’ble President of India (Smt. Pratibha Devi Singh Patil) have recently said that—– Half of population is women’s population,– i.e. Half the Talent,– Half the progress,– Half the Development.

• Thus, 50% is contributed by Women, so it must be realised and use of Talent (available) should be there.

• Thus, Opportunity needs to be given to women for development.

GENDER BASED DISCRIMINATION:

• Gender based discrimination exists in our society which is enforced by Religious, Social and Cultural norms.

• It is a Violation of the very Right to Life of Women and deprive them of the civil, political and Economic liberty both within the Society and Family.

GENDER JUSTIC:

• Gender justice is possible only through Women’s Empowerment which involves Economic and Political opportunities, Social Equality and Personal Rights.

HOW TO REMOVE DISCRIMINATION:

• To remove discrimination and improve the Status of women, following are the avenues :

• 1. By promotion of EDUCATION and awareness among Men and Women.

• 2. By Capacity Development in Women:– (a) SKILL DEVELOPMENT (by Training)– (b) ENTERPRISE MANAGEMENT (Trg.)

• 3. By Transfer of Technology to Women both in Farm and Non-Farm activities.

• 4. By giving LEGAL RIGHTS in parental properties.

• 5. By providing credit facilities to women by Banks for business or income -- generating activities.

• 6. By giving opportunities to Enterprising Women (proper guidance for business to be given, if required).

• 7. Promotion of SHGs and Area Programmes for Women.

• 8. By showing Successful Model on Women Development – in various fields:SEWA Bank is one of the Model.– Lady Political Leaders :

• PRIME MINISTER (Smt. Indira Gandhi)

• PRESIDENT (Smt.Pratibha D. Patil)

• GOVERNOR OF STATES/UT

• CHIEF MINISTER (Smt. Sheela Dixit)

• OTHER AREAS:– Economist, Scientists, Administrators,– IPS and IAS Officers, Army Officers, Pilots.

• High Court Judges.

• Vice-Chancellors.

• Chief Executive Officers in Corporate Houses like ICICI BANK, SEWA BANK,ENTERPRENUERS, CEO of COCA-COLA COMPANY, Chairperson of NGOs and so many other portfolios.

• Rly.Engine/Bus Driver/Conductors

GENDER BUDGTING: Allocation of Budget for Women

• (a) Allocation of number of Seats in Ministry– in Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assembly ( MP and MLA) for Women.

• (b) Poverty Eradication Programmes, for Women.

• (c) Special attention to productive Rights of Women for Quality Health & Care.

• -Reducing Malnutrition,

• -Reduction of Maternal Mortality (Girl child)

• - Infant Mortality

• -Death Rate

• -Women’s Health care with child.

• (d) Private Sector Employment (in organised and unorganised sector)

• (e) Safe and clean drinking water.

• (f) Shelter and Housing facilities.

• (g) Sanitation and Toilet facilities for women.

• (h) Human values (equal for men and women)

• (i) Training in Gender sensitization in all areas.

• OTHER PROGRAMMES WHICH ARE PROGRAMMES OF GOVERNMENT FOR EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN:

• (1) RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMES:

• DWCRA JGSY SGSY NREGS• IRDP SHG NSAP JRY

41 - WOMEN RELATED LEGISLAATIONS PASSED :

• Women Specific Legislations:

• - The immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956.

-The Dowry Prohibtion Act, 1961.

-The Indecent Reprersentation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.

-The Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987.

Women Related other important Legislations are as under :

• 1. The Guardians and Wards Act,1860.

• 2. Indian Penal Code, 1860.

• 3. Christian Marriage Act,1860.

• 4. The Indian Evidence Act, 1872.

• 5. The Married Women’s Property Act,1874

• 6. The Legal Practitioners (Women) Act, 1923. – The Workmen Compen.Act,1923.

• 7. The Indian Succession Act, 1925.

• 8. The Child Marriage Restraint Act,1998.

• 9. The Payments of Wages Act, 1936.

• 10 The Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937.

• 11. The Factories Act, 1948.

• 12. The Minimum Wages Act, 1948.

• 13.The Employees’ State Ins. Act, 1948.

• 14. The Plantation Labour Act, 1951.

• 15.The Cinematograph Act, 1952.

• 16.The Special Marriage Act, 1954.

• 17. The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.

• 18. The Hindu Adoptions & Maintenance Act,1856

• 19. The Hindu Minority & Guardianship Act, 1956.

• 20.The Hindu Succession Act, 1956.

• 21.The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961.

• 22.The Beedi & Cigar Workers (Condition of Employment ) Act, 1966.

• 23. The Foreign Marriage Act, 1969.

• 24.The Indian Divorce Act, 1969.

• 25.The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971.

• 26.Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.

• 27.The Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976.

• 28. The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976.

• 29. The Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act, 1976.

• 30. The Inter-State Migrant Worker (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service ) Act, 1979.

• 31. The Family Courts Act, 1984.

• 32. Juvenile Justice Act, 1986.

• 33.The Child Labour (Prohibition & and Regulation) Act, 1986.

• 34.National Commission for Women Act, 1990.

• 35. The Infant Milk Substitutes, Feeding Bottles and Infant Foods (Regulation of Production, Supply and Distribution Act,1992.

• 36. The Pre-Natal Diagnostic Technique (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1994.

LEADING BUSINESSWOMEN IN INDIA

• 1. Akhila Srinivasan, MD, Shriram Investments Ltd.

• 2. Chanda Kocchar, ED, ICICI Bank.

• 3. Ekta Kapoor, Creative Dirretor, Balaji Telefilms.

• 4. Jyoti Naik, President, Lijjat Papad.

• 5. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, CMD,Bicon.

• 6. Lalita D. Gupta, Jt.MD, ICICI Bank.

• 7. Naina Lal Kidwai,Dy.CEO, SHBC.

• 8. Preetha Reddy, MD, Apollo Hospitals

• 9. Priya Paul, Chairman, Apeejay Park – Hotels.

10.Rajshree Pathy, Chairman, Rajshree Sugars and Chemicals Ltd.

11.Ranjana Kumar, Chairman, NABARD.

12.Ritu Kumar, Fashion Designer.

• 13. Ravina Raj Kohli, Media Personality and Ex-President , Star News.

• 14. Renuka Ramnath, CEO,ICICI ventures

• 15. Ritu Nanda, CEO, Escolife.

• 16.Shahnaz Hussain, CEO Shahnaz Herbals.

• 17. Sharan Apparao, Proprietor, Apparao• Gallaries

• 18. Simone Tata, Chairman, Trent Ltd.

• 19. Sulajja Firodia Motwani, Jt.MD, Kinetic Engineering.

• 20. Tarjani Vakil,Ex.CMD, EXIM Bank.