Women's Empowerment in India: Progress, Challenges, and the Ongoing Journey

Abstract

Women empowerment is a continuous process that involves addressing various aspects of gender equality and ensuring that women have equal opportunities and rights. In ancient India, women played multifaceted roles and held positions of respect in society, evident through historical texts and archaeological findings. However, the eventual erosion of these positions due to societal shifts. The people of the Indus Valley civilization worshiped female deities; they were especially worshipped "Ammatalli". The Rigveda provides glimpses into the roles and contributions of women during that era; women were actively involved in religious rituals and ceremonies. They played roles in performing sacrifices and were often praised for their dedication to these rituals. The kings and people of the Satavahanas dynasty used to put their mother's name before their name. For example, Gautamiputra Satakarni,Vasishtiputra Pulomavi. Over time, the position of women in Indian society has declined. The present modern world the position of women is lower than that of men in many countries. India is taking many steps to empower women, but the results are meager. Women's empowerment in India has witnessed significant strides, accompanied by a host of persistent challenges. Advances in education, economic participation, and legal reforms have propelled women forward, but societal norms and deep-rooted biases continue to impede their full realization of empowerment. The struggle for gender equality gained momentum with social reform movements and legal advancements, leading to increased access to education and employment opportunities for women. Although Global Gender Gap Report 2023 India has 127th place out of 146 countries. Yet, persistent issues such as gender-based violence, unequal pay, and under representation in leadership positions underscore the incomplete journey towards empowerment. In the current circumstances there is a need to examine the measures taken by India for women empowerment.