Women Empowerment: A Step Towards Progress

Women empowerment is one of the most important social and developmental goals of today’s modern world. In addition, It refers to the process of equipping women the ability, confidence, and freedom to make their own decisions. Moreover, This is possible only by imparting skills, knowledge, and power among them; removing the old pseudo boundaries and the prevailing insecurity complex.

Women should be able to participate equally in every sphere of life like social, economic, political, and cultural by eliminating the gender biasness.

Conversely, women across the globe have faced discrimination, marginalization, and inequality for centuries. Furthermore, empowering women means breaking these barriers and creating a society where women and men have equal rights, responsibilities, and opportunities.

Concept of Women Empowerment

According to Swami Vivekananda, “There is no chance for the welfare of the world unless the condition of woman is improved. It is not possible for a bird to fly on only one wing”.  Thus, such a statement reveals that how poorly, our society treats the women.  In contrast, the situation was just the reverse among the great Aryans, Buddha among the rest, have always put woman in an equal position with man.

Certainly, the concept of women empowerment goes beyond merely granting women certain rights. It also involves breaking down societal barriers and ending discrimination.

Above all, it is a holistic process that enables them to gain control over their lives and circumstances and can add sustainable value in the family governance. Nevertheless, empowerment involves awareness, capacity-building, participation, and decision-making. It is about strengthening the inner power of women so that they can influence social change and contribute to the development of their families, communities, and nations.

The term “empowerment” literally means to give power or authority. In the context of women, it signifies increasing their access to resources, education, employment, and representation in political and social institutions. True empowerment allows women to make independent choices, stand against injustice, and lead lives of dignity and self-respect.

Notable Women

The list includes some legendary names like Angela Dorothea Merkel, Ellen Eugenia Johnson Sirleaf, Amelia Mary Earhart or Dame Jacinda Kate Laurell Ardern. India has given birth to many such esteemed women like Indira Gandhi, Rani Lakshmibai, Savitribai Phule, Sarojini Naidu, Razia Sultan, to name a few.

Notably, several women had used their limited capacities to protest against gender inequity. How can one forget, Madonna’s protest against gender discrimination includes decades of challenging sexism and misogyny through her music, performances, and public statements? It’s impossible to forget the turmoil sparked by Iranian girls and women who protested against the compulsory hijab. Even Afghan women and girls joined in, staging demonstrations to demand their rights to education, work, and freedom.

Dimensions of Women Empowerment

Social Empowerment

Social empowerment focuses on improving the social status of women and ensuring their participation in community life. It involves Challenging traditional attitudes, eliminating gender discrimination and violence, and promoting equality in family and society, enabling the self-worth. Social empowerment also includes access to healthcare, education, and social networks that strengthen women’s sense of belonging and identity.

Economic Empowerment

Economic independence is a cornerstone of empowerment. The achievement lies when women gain access to financial resources, employment, and entrepreneurial opportunities, enabling them to support themselves and their families. This requires providing access to credit, resources, and equal pay. Economic empowerment not only improves a woman’s quality of life but also contributes substantially to national development. Examples include microfinance initiatives and skill development programs. Within West Bengal’s framework, schemes like Kanyashree align with the concept of Economic Empowerment by imparting skills or resources for future earning; On the other hand, the Laxmir Bhandar social welfare scheme is not classified as a direct coefficient of such women empowerment

Economic independence is a crucial part of empowerment. When women have access to financial resources, employment, and entrepreneurship opportunities, they can support themselves and their families. Women empowerment demands necessary access to various resources, credit, and opportunities. Economic empowerment not only improves their quality of life but also contributes significantly to national development. Microfinance initiatives, skill development programs, and equal pay laws are examples of measures that promote women’s economic empowerment. If we compare in West Bengal’s concept, we can hardly compare Laxmir Bhandar as a coefficient of economic empowerment, while Kanyashree is.

Political Empowerment

Political empowerment ensures that women have a voice in governance and decision-making processes. Representation of women in parliaments, local bodies, and leadership positions is essential to address gender-specific issues. Political participation gives women the opportunity to influence policies that affect their lives and promotes more inclusive and democratic governance. In Indian context, we can refer Late Parliamentarian, Geeta Mukherjee, who had shown desperation in bring the women’s representation act.  India’s Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in 2023, mandated ratio for women in parliamentary elections will be at least one-third of the total seats. The irony is that even in such situation, its noticed that the male leaders are pushing their wives by which the males are controlling indirectly.

Educational Empowerment

Education is the foundation of empowerment. It helps women acquire knowledge, critical thinking skills, and confidence to participate actively in social and economic life. Educated women are more likely to be aware of their rights, make informed choices, and contribute to the welfare of society. The famous saying, “If you educate a man, you educate an individual; but if you educate a woman, you educate a nation,” highlights the transformative power of education. The focus has to be on Increasing access to education and training to build knowledge, confidence, and skills.

Psychological Empowerment

The achievement of psychological empowerment not only lies by fostering self-worth, self-confidence, and the ability to make independent choices about one’s life and future. We can notice a lot of women psychiatrists and counsellor, who have been reckoned in their domains.

Legal Empowerment

Legal empowerment ensures the protection of  women  by law and have equal rights to property, inheritance, and justice. Laws against domestic violence, sexual harassment, dowry, and discrimination are vital for safeguarding women’s dignity. However, the mere existence of laws is not enough; the success lies in effective implementation to create real change. We can notice a vivid change in the legal front in India. Some of India’s most famous female judges include M. Fathima Beevi,  Leila Seth,  and Ruma Pal. Some famous female lawyers in India include Indira Jaising, Zia Mody, Menaka Guruswamy, Flavia Agnes, Vrinda Grover.

Importance of Women Empowerment

Despite progress, several challenges remain. Deep-rooted patriarchy, gender bias, illiteracy, poverty, and social taboos continue to hinder women’s empowerment. In many areas, women still face violence, limited access to healthcare and education, and wage inequality. Overcoming these obstacles requires continuous efforts from governments, civil society, and individuals to create an environment of equality and respect.

Governments and international organizations have launched numerous programs to empower women. In India, schemes like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Mahila E-Haat, Self Help Groups (SHGs), and National Mission for Empowerment of Women aim to improve the social and economic conditions of women. Globally, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5) focuses on achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.

Women Empowerment is a must

Women empowerment is essential for building a just and progressive society. Empowering women means empowering families, communities, and nations. It is not a privilege but a necessity for the sustainable development of the world. Every woman will truly achieve empowerment when she lives with dignity, makes her own choices, and contributes fully to the world around her. As the saying goes, “When women rise, we all rise.”