Importance of Women Empowerment in the Indian Context

Importance of Women Empowerment in the Indian Context

Question: Empowering women is the key to attaining gender parity and social justice. GoI recently released commemorative stamps for empowering women. Discuss the importance of women empowerment.

- Women empowerment is critical for attaining stronger economies, attain globally agreed goals for sustainability and development and improve quality of life for women, men and communities.

- UNDP focuses on gender equality and women’s empowerment in terms of human rights and a pathway to achieve MDG and sustainable development

- Principle of gender equality is an important part of the Indian Constitution

- Constitution grants women equality and empowers the state to carry out affirmative action plans for women

- Laws, development policies, plans and programmes have aimed at advancing women’s welfare in varied spheres

- National Commission for Women was established by a 1990 Act of Parliament to provide safeguards for rights and legal entitlements for women

- 73rd and 74th AA to the Constitution of India have provided reservation of seats in local bodies for women

- This has laid a strong foundation for women empowerment at local levels

- However, gaps still exist in the wide spread network of government and organisations for ensuring the full impact of women empowerment reaches its target audience

- Holistic approach to women’s health including both nutrition and health services needs to be pursued

Facts and Stats

- A set of 4 stamps and a miniature sheet on the theme of women empowerment was recently released by the Ministry of Communication and IT

- The National Mission for Empowerment of Women (NMEW) was launched by GoI in 2010 to promote women’s empowerment.