Question

Essay on women empowerment gd topic

Answer 1

Need for women empowerment :-

Even in this 21st century Gender inequality still exists.

There are so many women, who are silently baring the harassment of their life partners because of the lack of education, lack of legal awareness and lack of empowerment.

When women are empowered, whole society benefits.

Educating women about health care promotes healthier families.

Even though a woman works 24/7 to raise her children and to maintain her family, she is not getting recognition for the work.

“There is no chance of the welfare of the world unless the condition of women is improved. It is not possible for a bird to fly on one wing.”- Swami Vivekananda.

Facts :-

Year ‘2001’ was declared as the “women’s empowerment year”.

Challenges :-

Female Foeticide.

Dowry.

Restriction on widow remarriage.

Gender Bias.

Neglect during childhood.

Childhood marriages.

Gender specific specialization at work.

Cultural definition of appropriate gender roles.

Belief in the inherent superiority of males.

Families are considered as a private sphere and stays under male control.

Limited access to cash and credit.

Limited employment opportunities.

Limited access to education.

Female infanticide.

Poverty effects women more than men.

India’s maternal mortality is highest in South Asia.

Domestic violence.

Crimes against women.

Honor killings – Family honor is associated with women in general, which is an extra burden on women.

Trafficking of women.

Lack of awareness about government schemes.

Still, status of women in India is inferior to status of men.

Constitutional provisions :-

Article 14 – Equality before law – Provides equal legal protection for women.

Article 15(3) – Special provisions for women.

Article 16 – Equal opportunities for all citizens in public employment irrespective of caste, sex, religion.

Article 23 – Prohibits traffic in human beings & forced labour.

Article 39 – The citizen, men & women equally have the right to an adequate means of livelihood.

Article 40 – 1/3 rd of seats in panchayats shall be reserved for women.

Article 42 – State shall make provisions for just and humane working conditions & maternity relief.

Article 44 – Uniform civil code for the citizens throughout the territory of India to safeguard women from laws of religion.

Article 51 A (e) – One of the duties of every citizen is to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of woman.

Government Acts :-

Section 14 of the Hindu Succession Act 1956 – Property of a female Hindu to be her absolute property.

Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act 2005 – Women get equal share in the ancestral property.

Dowry prohibition Act, 1961.

Contract Labor Act, 1970 & Factories Act, 1948 – Women can’t be employed in the night between 9pm to 6am. – Women cannot be required to work for more than 9hrs.

Equal remuneration Act, 1976.

The indecent representation of women (prohibition) Act, 1986.

Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987.

Protection of women from domestic violence Act, 2005.

Maternity Benefits Act, 1961.

Child marriage (prohibition) Act, 1929.

Hindu marriage Act, 1955 – This act was passed to stop polygamy and bigamy.

Government Schemes and Programs :-

Beti Bachao Beti Bachao :- To eliminate female foeticide and to promote education for girl children.

Answer 2

Women empowerment refers to making women powerful to make them capable of deciding for themselves. Women have suffered a lot through the years at the hands of men. In earlier centuries, they were treated as almost non-existent. As if all the rights belonged to men even something as basic as voting. As the times evolved, women realized their power. There on began the revolution for women empowerment.

As women were not allowed to make decisions for them, women empowerment came in like a breath of fresh air. It made them aware of their rights and how they must make their own place in society rather than depending on a man. It recognized the fact that things cannot simply work in someone’s favor because of their gender. However, we still have a long way to go when we talk about the reasons why we need it.