Women empowerment

Empowerment of Women

The principle of gender equality is enshrined in the constitution in its preamble, fundamental rights, fundamental duties and directive principles. The constitution not only grants equality to women, but also empowers the state to adopt measures in favour of women. In keeping with this principle of equality and inclusive growth, the state has adopted various measures to empower women.

Empowerment, as an enabling process will only be achieved when an improvement in the condition of women in terms of health, education, safety and security including financial security is ensured.

Health

[] To address the problem of maternal and child under nutrition, the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme has been universalized and strengthened.
[] The programme covers close to 1.9 crore pregnant and expecting mothers and 8.5 crore children under the age of six.
[] To accelerate the pace of reduction Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) in several interventions have been made by the Government.
[] Promotion of institutional deliveries through Janani Suraksha Yojana
[] Absolute free and no expense delivery, including caesarean for all pregnant women delivering in public health institutions, under Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram
[] Mother and Child protection card to monitor service delivery for mother and children
[] Mother and child tracking system to ensure ante-natal, intra-natal and post-natal care along with immunization services
[] Maternal Death Reviews to take corrective action at appropriate levels and to improve the quality of obstetric care

Education

[] The Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009 was enacted to make free and compulsory primary education a right for all children.
[] Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan was rolled to universalize access to education at primary and upper primary levels.
[] A Gender parity Index score of 1.0 at primary and 0.95 at upper primary levels was achieved with the help of SSA
[] A nationwide sub programme to the SSA called “Padhe Bharat, Badhe Bharat” has been launched to ensure that learning levels of Class I and Class II students in reading, writing language, comprehension and mathematics is at par with the world
[] Vidyanjali (School Volutee programme) is another initiative under SSA to enhance community and private sector involvement in Government run elementary schools across the country
[] Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyaan in under implementation to enhance access to secondary education for all children in the age group of 14-18 years and improve its quality
[] Rashtra Uchchattar Shiksha Abhiyaan is being implemented for the holistic development of higher education
[] Vidya Lakshmi (vidyalakshmi.co.in) under Pradhan Mantri Vidya Lakshmi Karyakram provides loan for students seeking higher education

Safety and Security

[] The criminal law (Amendment) Act, 2013 has been enacted to make punishment for offences like Rape more stringent and also broadened the meaning of sexual assault and harassment. New offences like sexual harassment, acid attack, voyeurism and stalking, and disrobing a women have been incorporated in the Indian Penal Code
[] The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2013 aims to provide a safe and secured environment for women to work
[] The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005; for the protection of the rights of women who are the victims of violence of any kind within the family
[] The Prohibition of Child marriages Act, 2006; for prohibition of solemnisation of child marriages
[] The Protection of Children from Sexual offences Act, 2012 to protect children from offences of sexual attack
[] The Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act (PC & PNDT), 1994 for prohibition of sex selection, before and after conception
[] The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill, 2016; passed in Rajya Sabha which proposes to increase maternity leave from 12 weeks to 26 weeks will definitely promote female workforce participation in India
[] For ensuring women’s safety pertaining to the strategic areas of prevention, protection and rehabilitation, Government has established Nirbhaya Fund. It includes establishment of One Stop Centres for facilitating/Providing medical aid, police assistance, legal counselling/court case management, psychosocial counselling and temporary shelter to women affected by violence.
[] The multi-sectoral Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiative also aims to secure a bright future and welfare of the girl child in India and address the declining child sex ration and related issues of disempowerment of women over a life cycle continuum
[] To increase the visibility of women in police force 33% reservation for women in Police force in State and UTs have been made

Financial Security

[] The flagship programmes like Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, National Rural Livelihoods mission while providing livelihood security to thousands of rural women, have also provided them with economic security, empowered them and created rural assets simultaneously.
[] Rashtriya Mahila Kosh is working exclusively for poor women by providing them with regular funds and facilitating market linkages
[] Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana has given confidence to lakhs of women in opening their first bank account and a breakthrough to overcome the vicious cycle of poverty and debt
[] Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) launched to help them securing a decent employment to move out of poverty
[] Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana has also been launched under the Beti Padhao Beti Bachao.

Uplitfment of women in Agricultural Sector

As per 2011 census, 65% of the total female workers in India are enaged in agriculture.

[] Of the total cultivators (118.7 million), 30.3% are females.
[] Out of 144.3 million agricultural labourers, 42.6% are women.
[] In 2001, female agricultural labourers were 21% which increased to 23% in 2011.

As per directives for the Women Component Plan, the state governments have been asked to ensure flow of funds to the tune of 30% for the benefits of women farmers. The programmes include:

[] State extension programmes for extension reforms under sub-mission on agricultural reforms (SMAE), National Food Security Mission, National Mission On Oil Seed And Oil Palm and National Mission On Sustainable Agriculture, Sub Mission For Seed And Planting Material, Sub Mission For Agricultural Mechanisation and Mission For Integrated Development of Horticulture.
[] The primary objective of ‘Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana’ implemented by Ministry of Rural Development is to empower women in agriculture by making systematic investments to enhance their participation and productivity, as also create and sustain agriculture based livelihoods of rural women.
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