A Conceptual Study on Women Empowerment-Facts and Realities

Abstract

India with its diversity and rich heritage has an ugly side to it. If women have been worshipped as Goddess, there has been sati too. silent witness, oppressed women have come a long way. Though situation has improved some facts (education rate, sexual harassment among others) are daunting. Many women have broken barriers and we would still witness a lot more. To help women is to help society. And through this journey of women empowerment our nation will achieve its dream. The dream of reviving its past glory .To become golden peacock again .Since 1911, March 8th is celebrated around world as International Women's Day. Many groups around world choose different themes each year relevant to global and local gender issues. The UN declared an International Women's Day theme for 2013 and it is A promise is a promise: Time for action to end violence against And this is very crucial for India. Empowerment of any section of a society is a myth until they are conferred equality before law. The foundation of freedom, justice and fraternity is based on recognition of inherent dignity and of equal and inalienable rights to all members of society. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted and proclaimed by General Assembly of United Nations on 10th December 1948, envisaged in Article 2 that every one is entitled to all rights and freedoms set forth in this declaration without distinction of any kind. Keywords: Empowerment, Gender equality, Women right, Development, Education, Independence, nation, laws, participation, discrimination, India, UNDP, I. Introduction: Empowerment is defined as the enhancement of assets and capabilities of diverse individuals and groups to engage, influence and hold accountable institutions which affect them Empowerment of women is prerequisite to transform a developing country into a developed country. Women empowerment generally has five components : firstly, womens sense of self worth; secondly, their right to have power of control their own lives, both within and outside home; and lastly, their ability to influence direction of social change to create a just social and economic order nationally, internationally and universally. Educational attainment and economic participation are they key constituents in ensuring empowerment of women. The economic empowerment of women is a vital element of strong economic growth in any country. Empowering women enhances their ability to influence changes and to create a better society. Other than educational and economic empowerment, changes in womens mobility and social interaction and changes in intra-household decision- making are necessary. They equal to men in all aspects. Women are more perfectionists in power to create, nurture and transform. Today, women are emerging as leaders in growing range of fields. Be it aeronautics, medicine, space, engineering, law, politics, education, business one can just name profession and they are there, all that needed in todays world in their empowerment. In India, empowerment process has already begun. We are now witnessing a steady improvement in enrolment of women in schools, colleges and even in profession institutes. Twenty-six laws have been enacted so far to protect women from various crimes. Empowerment of women could only be achieved if their economic and social status is improved. This could be possible only by adopting definite social and economic policies with a view of total development of women and to make them realize that they have potential to be strong human beings.Women have proved themselves as equals in many professions as well as proved themselves even better suited than men in some. The situation for changing role of Women is improving fast. Women are educated; they have achieved great stature in all industries. Bureaucracy, sports, media, women have become a familiar sight. modern woman has indeed risen above past nations, about her inferior status. She fears no authoritative men, she strives to stand parallel to men and is independent. Education has given women enlightenment and a vision. They have realized that they arent mere puppets in society but a pillar without which foundation of society is incomplete..It has traditionally been accepted that thread of family weaves fabric of Indian society. Women are considered as hub centre of family. Still, in era of political domination by foreigners, women in India suffered most. Women Empowerment is most vital system to strengthen future of women in India. It is a systematic approach which needs to develop more seriously in India. The Government of India came up in