The National Policy of Empowerment of Women- A Critical Evaluation of Policies with Special Reference to Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2006

Abstract

The simple logic about the status of women in India is “as women receive greater education and training, they will earn more money. As women earn more money they spend it in the further education and health of their children, as opposed to men. Women rise in economic status; they will gain greater social standing in the household and the village, and will have greater voice. As women gain influence and consciousness, they will make stronger claims to their entitlements - gaining further training, better access to credit and higher incomes - and command attention of police and courts when attacked. As women's economic power grows, it will be easier to overcome the tradition of "son preference" and thus put an end to the evil of dowry. As son preference declines and acceptance of violence declines, families will be more likely to educate their daughters” (Coonrod, 1998). In other words, the women need to be ‘empowered.’