ESSAY NO.

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

Women empowerment mainly refers to the practice of making

women independent so that they can make their own decisions as well as handle
their lives without any familial or societal restrictions. In simple terms, it
entitles women to take charge of their own personal development. Since women
have always been the oppressed ones in a patriarchal society, the main motive
of women empowerment is to help them stand equally with men. It is a
foundational step to ensure the prosperous growth of a family as well as the
country. Empowering women, the world would definitely witness gender
equality and help women from every stratum of society stand on their own and
steer their lives as per their own wishes. 

Women empowerment is the process of giving women the ability to

live a happy and respected life in society. Women are empowered when they
have unrestricted access to chances in a range of domains, such as education,
profession, and lifestyle, among others. It involves things like education,
awareness, literacy, and training to help them improve their position. It also
involves decision-making authority. A woman feels powerful when she takes a
significant decision. Empowering women is the most important factor in a
country’s overall growth. If a household has just one earning member, while
another family has both men and women earning, who will have a better
standard of living? The solution is straightforward: a household in which both
men and women work. As a result, a country where men and women work
together grows more quickly.

Almost all countries, regardless of how progressive, have

a history of mistreating women. To put it another way, women from all over the
world have been defiant to achieve their current standing. While Western
nations continue to make progress, third-world countries such as India continue
to lag behind in terms of women’s empowerment. Women’s empowerment is
more important than ever in India. India is one of the countries where women
are not safe. This is due to a variety of factors. Not only that, but horrific crimes
against women such as rape, acid attacks, the dowry system, honour killings,
domestic violence, and other forms of violence against women continue to
occur throughout India. Women should account for 50% of the entire
population.

However, due to female foeticide practises , which is still

prevailing in the rural and underprivileged sections of the Indian societies, the
girl child population is rapidly declining, affecting the country’s sex ratio.
Furthermore, the education and freedom scenario is extremely regressive in this
situation. Women are not permitted to continue their education and are married
off at a young age. In certain areas, men continue to dominate women, as
though it is the woman’s responsibility to labour for him indefinitely. They
don’t let them go out or have any form of freedom and personal life. As a result,
we can see how women empowerment is a pressing issue. We must equip these
women with the tools they need to stand up for themselves and never be victims
of injustice.

There is a wide range of approaches and methods to empower

women. Individuals and the government must work together to achieve
this. Girls’ education should be made obligatory so that they do not become
illiterate and unable to support themselves. Women, regardless of gender, must
be given equal chances in all fields. Women empowerment may also be
achieved through government-sponsored programmes as well as on an
individual level. On a personal level, we should begin to appreciate women and
provide them with chances equal to males. We should promote and encourage
them to pursue jobs, further education, and entrepreneurial endeavours, among
other things.

To empower women, the government has implemented

programmes such as the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Yojana, Mahila Shakti
Kendra, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, and others. Apart from these programmes,
we can all help women by eradicating societal problems such as the dowry
system and child marriage. These simple actions will improve women’s status
in society and help them feel more powerful.

Women empowerment encompasses more than just ensuring that women get
their basic rights. In its truest form, women empowerment comprises the aspects
of independence, equality as well as freedom of expression. Through this, the
real strive lies in ensuring that we bring gender equality.
 When given the right support, women have shone brilliantly in
every field. Even in India, we have seen women handle diverse roles, be it a
Prime Minister, Astronaut, Entrepreneur, Banker and much more. Further,
women are also considered the backbone of a family. From domestic chores to
nurturing children, they handle multiple responsibilities. This is why they are
great at multitasking and often many working women efficiently juggle between
professional and personal responsibilities. While the urban cities have working
women, the rural areas have still restrained them to household chores .India is a
country where we worship goddesses while we don’t bother thinking about
gender equality. 

Hence, for all our mothers, sisters and daughters we must aim at
creating an environment of integrity. We must boost their confidence to make
them capable enough to take their decisions in every phase of life and this is
how we can strive towards bringing women empowerment.

“Feminism does not aim to make women powerful. Women are

already powerful. It is about influencing the way the rest of the world views
your strength.” Women have always had fewer opportunities and possibilities to
develop their talents and knowledge since ancient times. Although the world is
made up of both men and women. But men were regarded as the family’s most
powerful members. They were the family’s decision-makers and were in charge
of making a living. Women, on the other hand, were believed to be the
responsible person for all home chores and child-rearing, and they were not
engaged in making any important family decisions. The roles were assigned
depending on gender. If we look at the whole picture, research shows that
women’s subjects are either centred on their reproductive role and their body, or
on their economic position as workers. However, none of them is aimed at
empowering women. Women’s Empowerment is a progressive technique of
putting power in the hands of women in order for them to have a happy and
respectable existence in society. Women are empowered when they have access
to opportunities in a number of sectors, such as the right to an education, gender
equality, a professional (equal wage) lifestyle, and others.

However, there are no constraints or limitations. It involves

training, awareness, increasing their position via education, literacy, and
decision-making authority. For the total growth of each country, women’s
empowerment is the most essential sector. Previously, the men were the sole
breadwinners in the household. Assume the household has one earning person;
on the other side, suppose the family has both male and women earning
members. Who will have a better way of life? The answer is simple: a
household in which both the man and the woman work. As a result, when
gender equality is prioritized, a country’s growth rate accelerates. Standing up
for equality, women have empowered and spoken up for other women.

Women are taught to mold themselves based on others’

preferences and men are taught to lead because at the end of the day, women
have to manage household chores whereas men are the heroes saving their
family and providing them financial support. This is the stereotype that has
existed for centuries in India and one of the reasons women are denied basic
human rights in society. A woman is denied the right to raise her opinions even
in her household matters, political or financial viewpoints are far behind. 
Women are born leaders and if given the opportunity can excel in every field.
We live in a male dominant society where a male has every right to do whatever
he desires however thought in women’s minds is sacred. For centuries, women
were not allowed to eat before men or sit in front of other men. Gender equality
and women empowerment is major concern globally. Gender equality starts
with providing the same and equal resources of education to both genders.

Education of girl child should also be a priority and not just an

option. An educated woman will be able to build a better life for herself and the
ones surrounding her. Gender equality and women’s empowerment are essential
for the growth of women in society. Women empowerment ensures that every
female gets an opportunity to get an education, seek professional training, and
spread awareness. However, gender quality will ensure that access to resources
is provided equally to both genders and ensure equal participation. Even at the
professional level women faces gender inequality because a male candidate is
promoted way before a female candidate. The mindset should be changed and
only deserving candidates should be promoted. Gender quality is a key step
towards sustainable development and ensures basic human rights for everyone.

Education is the biggest tool in women’s empowerment and also a

factor that helps in the overall development of the country. Education can bring
a change in women’s life. As the first prime minister of India once quoted “If
you educate a man you educate an individual, however, if you educate a woman
you educate a whole family. Women empowered means mother India
empowered” An educated woman will promote the education of other females
around her, mentor them and also a better guide to her children. Education helps
women to gain self-confidence, esteem, ability to provide financial support.
Education will also help to reduced the infant mortality rate because an
educated woman is aware of the health care, laws, and her rights. Educating a
woman will benefit her and also the development of society. With proper
education, women can achieve more socially, economically and build their
careers. Women are still being denied their right to education in rural parts of
India. Education will also reduce the child marriage that is still practised in
some parts of India also help in controlling the overpopulation. The government
has launched various schemes over the years to create awareness around
women’s education such as Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Operation Black-Board,
Beti Padhaoo Beti Bachao, and many more. Education helps women to identify
the good and bad, change their outlook, way of thinking, and way of handling
things. Education helps women to become independent. Indian women have the
lowest literacy rate as compared to other countries. Education is a fundamental
right of all and no one should be denied the right to education. Education helps
to meet the necessities of life, confidence to raise a voice against domestic
violence or sexual harassment. Be a part of a change and empower a woman
with the help of education.

Improved female education leads to higher levels of economic

growth because women spend 90%of their earnings back on their families,
whereas males only invest 30-40% of their earnings. This is only one example
of how women’s empowerment has a beneficial impact. Like this, there are
several other benefits and positive sides of women empowerment