Title:
EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN IN INDIA: A QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS

Authors:
Dr. C.Hemavathi, Dr. H.G.Pushpalatha and Ms. Yamuna B.Raj, India

Abstract:

The skewed sex ratio between men and women has resulted in steep imbalances in all walks of life in India. There is a sharp division and discrimination based on sex and caste in Indian society. The founding fathers of Constitution of India had provided specific safeguards and promotional opportunities in the constitution for the empowerment of women. These safeguards and provisions have facilitated positive measures to the inclusive development of women in India. Women have remained educationally, socially, economically and politically backward despite constitutional safeguards and development programs in the post-independence era. The process of empowerment of women includes better social status, educational opportunities, employment opportunities, political representation and access to economic resources. Several progressive organizations and women’s associations have struggled for egalitarian and socialist structural changes in the socio-economic sphere in the country. Women’s under representation in all elected bodies undermines the democracy. Reservation for women in education, employment, economic sector and political sector should be viewed as the surest means of empowerment of women. The linkage between higher social and economic status and higher rate of participation of women is well established by the researchers in India. The importance of empowerment of women forming the core of national development strategies is increasingly recognized in Indian Republic. Acceptance of integrating women’s issues and concerns in the national development agenda is undoubtedly a vital step in the direction of empowerment of women in India. The future agenda for the stakeholders of women empowerment must deal with expansion of educational, training and developmental institutions across the country to develop a new generation of self-reliant women. The government organizations, civil society, educational institutions, media institutions, judicial organizations and other agencies have a social responsibility of actualizing the constitutional provisions and safeguards into realities in order to empower women in India.