Women Empowerment
Women Empowerment
The shape of any society depends on the situation of women in it. If a woman is holding a strong and respectable position in society definitely the society is destined to be a stronger one. In ancient India women were holding a very strong and dynamic position. In Vedic age they were very powerful. Ideally even today the goddess of knowledge and wisdom is Saraswati and Indian woman is struggling for education and literacy, the goddess of wealth is Luxmi and Indian woman is thrown in poverty, the goddess of power is Durga again a woman, and Indian woman is weak and subjected to torture, exploitation and has to beg for their honour . She is also considered as “SRISTI” THE CREATOR on this earth as per Indian mythology but her irony is that she herself is struggling for her own existence though we all know that without her human life will not be possible. Without a woman even the concept of society cannot be imagined. She shoulders many roles and responsibilities in her life as mother, sister, sister- in law, friend, wife, daughter, daughter-in law and grand-daughter so without her the world itself is incomplete. This modern day male dominated society prescribes different roles to women and men. 18th century society had most discriminating codes. Women were captivated inside the boundary of the house during this century. They were kept away from basic human rights like literacy and other services. After the arrival of East India Company in 19th century Women’s situation improved gradually. They were promoted to get education. Reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy contributed to the development of women. Maharshi Karve, Mohan Das Karamchand Gandhi and Sarvapalli Radha Krishnan put their emphasis on woman education. Their slogan was:
“To educate a woman is to educate a generation”.
Indian woman was also influenced by the relative changes and movements in Europe. Gradually there was some advanced in their lives through education. Indian constitution recommends equal rights and respects to every one without any discrimination of caste, creed and gender. Government of India took concrete steps for the development of women. Many constitutional amendments came into existence to improvise the situation of woman in India. Some major steps were:
A) Opening of new institutions
B) 33% Reservation in government services
C) Promoting NGOs to the cause of women empowerment
MEANING OF WOMEN EMPOWERMENT:
Not only India but the whole world has witnessed much cry related to this term woman empowerment during the last ten years. Woman empowerment has broader connotation than the terms used earlier. Earlier used terms were recognition and existence.
In the real sense woman empowerment is that mental stage in which a woman is skilled and equipped with educational, social, economical, and political rights to face the challenges of life. This also includes internal strength and social security. Strong and able administration is a pre-requisite to its effective implementation.
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights writes “It provides power, ability and capacity to woman so that she may decide her own life and its direction.”
Woman Empowerment is a social process that enables a woman to have a hold on the resources of administration after understanding its work culture.
Woman in Ancient India:
Mythological age of ancient India was enriched by the divine presence of Shree Durga, the goddess of power; Shree Laxmi, the goddess of wealth and riches; and Shree Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and wisdom. Symbolically speaking in old days Indian woman was educated, rich, and powerful. She used to participate in political activities, social functions and religious rituals along with her male counterpart. She enjoyed high social status. She used to go to battlefields to help her husband. In Devasur Sangram Kaikeyi surprised king Dashratha by her matchless bravery. Yagyavalkya’s consort Gargy obtained a respectable position by proving the eternal value and superiority of spiritual wealth over material wealth. Vidyottama was successful in converting Kalidasa into an acknowledged wit of Sanskrit. Who does not know the gem of bravery Maharani Laxmi Bai? Her sacrifice was the foundation stone of freedom struggle of India. Tulasi received seed of spiritual wisdom from none but his wife. Indian women like Rajia Sultan, Rani Laxmi Bai, Padmini and Meera were able to make a mark in the history of this land because of some praiseworthy qualities in their personalities.
Due to the arrival of Moughals the condition of Indian woman became wretched and helpless. Malpractices like Pardah system, child marriage and the most damaging illiteracy spread in their regime. Woman was subjected to the periphery of drawing rooms only. She lost all her social religious and political concerns. She was also declared as a lesser being.
“To educate a woman is to educate a generation”.
Indian woman was also influenced by the relative changes and movements in Europe. Gradually there was some advanced in their lives through education. Indian constitution recommends equal rights and respects to every one without any discrimination of caste, creed and gender. Government of India took concrete steps for the development of women. Many constitutional amendments came into existence to improvise the situation of woman in India. Some major steps were:
A) Opening of new institutions
B) 33% Reservation in government services
C) Promoting NGOs to the cause of women empowerment
MEANING OF WOMEN EMPOWERMENT:
Not only India but the whole world has witnessed much cry related to this term woman empowerment during the last ten years. Woman empowerment has broader connotation than the terms used earlier. Earlier used terms were recognition and existence.
In the real sense woman empowerment is that mental stage in which a woman is skilled and equipped with educational, social, economical, and political rights to face the challenges of life. This also includes internal strength and social security. Strong and able administration is a pre-requisite to its effective implementation.
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights writes “It provides power, ability and capacity to woman so that she may decide her own life and its direction.”
Woman Empowerment is a social process that enables a woman to have a hold on the resources of administration after understanding its work culture.
Woman in Ancient India:
Mythological age of ancient India was enriched by the divine presence of Shree Durga, the goddess of power; Shree Laxmi, the goddess of wealth and riches; and Shree Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and wisdom. Symbolically speaking in old days Indian woman was educated, rich, and powerful. She used to participate in political activities, social functions and religious rituals along with her male counterpart. She enjoyed high social status. She used to go to battlefields to help her husband. In Devasur Sangram Kaikeyi surprised king Dashratha by her matchless bravery. Yagyavalkya’s consort Gargy obtained a respectable position by proving the eternal value and superiority of spiritual wealth over material wealth. Vidyottama was successful in converting Kalidasa into an acknowledged wit of Sanskrit. Who does not know the gem of bravery Maharani Laxmi Bai? Her sacrifice was the foundation stone of freedom struggle of India. Tulasi received seed of spiritual wisdom from none but his wife. Indian women like Rajia Sultan, Rani Laxmi Bai, Padmini and Meera were able to make a mark in the history of this land because of some praiseworthy qualities in their personalities.
Due to the arrival of Moughals the condition of Indian woman became wretched and helpless. Malpractices like Pardah system, child marriage and the most damaging illiteracy spread in their regime. Woman was subjected to the periphery of drawing rooms only. She lost all her social religious and political concerns. She was also declared as a lesser being.
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