Empowerment Of Women And Other Weaker Sections

In 1992, a movement against drinking alcohol was started in Andhra Pradesh.

Note: When the breadwinning male in the dies an untimely death due to alcohol addiction, the family gets plunged into a deep financial and emotional crisis that directly affects the women. The movement was successful at receiving the state support which shows the collective power of the women.

In 1975, the government of India formed the Committee on the Status of Women under the chairmanship of Dr Phulrenu Guha.

Note: The Committee conducted a comprehensive survey on several issues such as the social position of women, their status, the effects of the constitutional provisions made for women etc.

Jyoti Mhapsekar - Women’s Commission

Note: Jyoti Mhapsekar is associated with a street play called Mulgi Jhaali Ho.

1. Alimony is the money paid by the husband to the wife after separation or divorce for her upkeep.

2. Minority is a group of people with a particular religion, language or race who are few in number in the society.

When in 1975 the central govt. constituted the Committee on the Status of Women, a State-wide movement for women’s liberation was held in 1975 organised by the Stree-mukti Sangharsha Samiti with the aim to discrimination on the gender and caste.

The Prohibition of Dowry (Amendment) Act was enacted in1984 to more strictly implement the existing act and curb the death of women due to dowry cases.

Our Constitution drafted under the leadership of Dr. BR Ambedkar took a strong stance on removal of the inhuman practice of untouchability. The 17^th paragraph of the Constitution bans untouchability and the affected class was included as the Scheduled Castes.

In order to preserve the cultural traditions and ensure continued development of the own language, the Constitution gives certain cultural and educational rights to minorities. They have the right to set up separate educational institutes and seek govt. support for the same

The Chipko movement was started in 1973 for protection of forest in the foothills of Himalayas. Women took an active participation in the movement following the strategy of holding hands and encircling each tree.

In 1993, the Protection of Human Rights Act was enacted to social injustice in the society, leading to the formation of National Human Rights Commission. It played a significant role in providing justice to women.

The united strength of women can bring about constructive changes in various sections of the society for example:

1. Laatne Morcha (1972)

Women under the leadership of Socialist leader Mrinal Gore came out on the streets of Mumbai to demonstrate against the Mrinal Gore, brunt of scarcity of essential supplies and the subsequent rise in their prices.

2. The Chipko Movement (1973)

Women took an active part in the Chipko Movement by holding hands and encircling each tree to prevent their chopping for commercial purposes.

3. Anti Liquor Movement (1992)

The Women in Andhra Pradesh came together to protest against rampant alcoholism and were supported by the Sate govt.

These moments saw great success and underlined how united strength of women can bring about a positive change in the society.

Mahila Sabhas in rural areas are informal organizations that work towards improving the quality of life of rural women. It works as a social group that operate on various issues, for example motivating parents to give equal treatment their girl children, send them to school, working towards sanitation and maternal health of women, establishing self-sustaining self-help group for women entrepreneurs etc.

These groups act as a collective representative on women concern in the village economy as well as stand for social justice and recognition.

Women have achieved notable success in various fields, some of these inspirational women are:

Sarojini Naidu

She was a distinguished freedom fighter in India’s struggle for Independence & served as the President of the INC in 1925 held in Lucknow. She is known as the ‘Nightingale of India’ for her literary contributions.

Sucheta Kripalani

She was the first women Chief Minister of State (Uttar Pradesh) in the Independent India. She was one of the few women who were elected to the Constituent Assembly and was part of the subcommittee that drafted the Indian Constitution.

Indira Gandhi

She was the first woman Prime Minister of India, known for her strong will and powerful leadership. She successfully led India into war with Pakistan in 1971 for Liberation of Bangladesh.

Kalpana Chawal

She was the first Indian women astronaut to go to Space. She completed her education in Karnal, Haryana and went on to work with NASA in the USA. She died on her way back to earth from space on her second mission in 2003.

Micro-credit groups are highly successful in rural areas owing to larger participation of women. It is believed that women are better creditors for micro-credits groups since they utilize it for fulfilment of basic needs than men. Govt. Banks also encourage rural women to organize themselves into Self Help Groups to obtain flexible loans at low interest rates. These loans are used by the women to create small local business which adds to their household income, thus improving their financial status and independence.

Such schemes have greatly contributed to women empowerment objective of the country.