Women Empowerment to improve the Equality of Career Opportunities for Women

Today many women are actively participating in the workforce. With their sincerity and hard work, they are proving themselves in every sector of professions. Women are considered to be more efficient, honest and meticulous. Hence, many organizations prefer hiring female for better performance and results.

The participation of women at the workplace in rural areas is more than the urban areas. But, in rural India most of the women get the fewer wages than men. According to the 1991 World Bank Report, about 55% to 66% of the total women’s labors are contributed in the farm production. About 94% of women are involved in the dairy production in India.

Though the female literacy rate is increasing than male literacy rate in India still, many girls are uneducated in rural areas. We need to encourage rural women and girls for education in order to improve the career opportunities. According to the 1998 report of the U.S. Department of commerce, the main obstacles to female education in India are the lack of schools and colleges facilities (such as sanitation facilities), shortage of female teachers, etc. Educated women establish small scale business so that they become self-dependent and self-reliance. Establishment of the microenterprise by the women is an effective tool for the economic and social development of the society. It provides employment to the number of women. Micro-enterprise is beneficial for the rural women so that they provide a better livelihood for their family.

There are many career opportunities for rural women like sewing clothes, handicrafts, carpet making, etc. One of the famous female business success stories is the Shri Mahila Udyog Lijat Papad. The seaweed farming is the best option of generating income for the women of coastal areas. Without spending much money one can start the seaweed farming. Fishing is a popular traditional industry of rural coastal India which can start easily. Another career opportunity for the rural coastal women are the selling of coconut and coconut products (like coconut oil, milk, cream, sweets, coconut shell charcoal, etc.)

Working women have to face so many challenges in the workplace as well as in the home. One of the main problems is the socio-cultural barriers. Women's family is sometimes not supportive and makes many obligations that make women de-motivated. The family member should encourage women so that they can efficiently manage the home and business in a balanced way. Many researchers have concluded that women became the victim of domestic violence because they earn more than their husband. Therefore, the Uttar Pradesh police started the 1090 Women Power Line service to answer all the criminal problems occurring in the modern Indian society. The Women Power Line empowers women so that they boldly fight for their rights without tolerating the offenses. Any women or teen girls suffering from the unsocial behavior can immediately inform to the WPL members by dialing the 1090 toll-free number. The members of the WPL do not call the victim to the police station in any case. The victim does not need to write any formal letter or F.I.R. to file a complaint. With an anonymous identity, women and teen girls lodge their complaint. The WPL ensures an immediate safety of women and also maintain the dignity of the women. The calls of the victim are attended by the female constables so that women and girls frankly speak their problem. The 24*7 service of Women Power Line is providing strength to the women and girls. The Women Power Line 1090 is becoming popular among women and girls and also appreciated by many people.

Reservation for Women Making Whole Concept of Women Empowerment Weak?

The concept and objective of women reservation are to uplift the women of underprivileged classes. Reservation creates discrimination, but the intention here is good, and the motive is to empower women of backward classes so that they can get equal chance to prove their abilities. There is no second opinion on the improved status of women compared to past. Whereas, an absolute mass of women are still deprived of their basic rights. Therefore, reservation for women is a nice approach to raising the women of weaker section of the society.

The reservation for women will encourage women morally, financially, and opportunity wise, so that they can come forward to show their creative ideas. The theories have also proved that women reservation is a great way to improve the economic condition of the weaker section by eliminating the poverty. Through reservation, women who are socially neglected, suppressed because of the traditional beliefs and cultures are now empowered and getting the equal benefit of the society. The Government of India has proposed 33% reservation for women in the parliament to hand over more power to female so that women empowerment can be implemented at ground level.

In the country like India, gender disparity still exists. Therefore, many women are deprived of their privileges, so they need the reservation. But, when both male and female are born equal why the disparity exists and why women need the reservation? We should not believe women are inferior to men in any way; instead women have the equal right to speak, express, and equality. Such reservation will weaken the society in another way. If women empowerment is the primary objective behind the reservation, then we need to focus more on providing basic education to girls and women, especially in the rural areas. Many women and girls are unable to get the basic education because of the lack of facilities in different parts of India. More than a women's reservation, we need a cultural and traditional change in the society so that women can get respect and can live their life without fear.

The reservation for women will not reduce the violence against women or the sick attitude of men towards women. Those people who commit crimes like rape, bride burning, honor killing, etc. have no fear of the law. Hence, we need strict rules and laws to be enforced to put an end to the violence against women. The reservation is one form of barrier in the development of our country because we are also promoting the women in various aspects on the basis of reservation, and not by their capability. So, in such scenario how women will become equal to men. Therefore, we need a society where women can show their potential through their ability not through the reservation.

Cyber Insecurities in a Developing Society

Cyber crime is a new form of harassment against women and girls by using World Wide Web. Women and teen girls are more prone to the victimization of the cyber crime. Studies show that every day about 10% women are harassed through unwanted e-mails, messages, photos, etc.

Victimizing women and girls by making their fake profiles without their consent in the cyberspace are now increasing day by day. The lack of knowledge of privacy protection, internet viruses, etc. among the girls and women is also one of the reasons for the increasing crime. The statistics show women are mainly exploited via social networking sites, emails, online chat rooms, blogs, etc. The identity of many women is misused in the cyber crime. Now a days, multiple incident are being traced related to cyber crime. The attempt of doing such activities are offensive by paying very less, but at the same time considered as a shameful step taken by the youth of our nation towards spoiling dignity of women. Some people are misusing the availability of free emails, messages, etc.

There are many adverse impacts of cyber crime on the women and teen girls. The research shows that victims suffer from depression, anxiety, guilt, self-blame, embarrassment, frustration, etc. Women and girls who are harassed by the cyber crime avoid social gathering, want to live alone, etc. Some victims move to new place, change their name, mobile number or even their appearance.

A hugely popular service of Uttar Pradesh known as Women Power Line 1090 started for the protection of women. The Women Power Line service provides help to women who are being harassed by the stalkers, web-based provocations, pesky callers, etc. Women and girls can report their complaint against the stalkers. The female constables of the Women Power Line attend the call of the victims, and the male counselors provide safety from the accused person. The members of the WPL do not call the victims to the police station in any case and update their work progress through text messages or call concerning their complaints.

Women or girls who are harassed and molested them often try to hide their problems and silently ignore them. If the teen girls share the problem with their parents, they also advise them to ignore silently the offenses. A certain mass of people believes that, eve-teasing, flirting, cyber crime, etc. are a common practice of teen boys and every girl face in the young age. Due to the orthodox thinking of people, girls are suffering the torture and ignoring the antisocial activity happening in their surroundings. We need to empower women so that women can raise their voice against the miscreants that they are silently ignoring. The Women Power Line empowers women and so that they can boldly fight for their rights. The female constable of the Women Power Line, calmly listen to the problem of the victims and ensures them safety. Therefore, women and girls who are being harassed can call to the 1090 toll-free number of the Women Power Line and share their problems to the female constable without any hesitation. As WPL do not call the victim to the police station and the complaint can be registered by an anonymous identity, so the victims easily share their problems to the female constables. The Women Power Line is a gift for the women who protects them and provides safety at the time of emergency.

Women Empowerment is Necessary for Social Equality

 

Women empowerment is necessary to expand women's ability and also for the social equality. Even in the 21st-century gender inequality exists which is the major hurdle in achieving the goal of the development.

Education is a basic human right, but most of the women and girls are deprived of the educational rights. According to the Indian constitution, every girl and boys have equal rights to attend the school from the age of six through fourteen. But, still most of the girls of rural sectors do not attend the school because of the traditional orthodox religious and cultural beliefs. According to the 2011 census, the literacy rate of women (65.46%) lags behind the literacy rate of men (82.14%) The lack of education among the women and girls leads to the poverty, ill health, exploitation, etc. Awareness programs should be organized to encourage women in the education. Parents should also encourage and know the importance of the education so that they will send their daughters to the school. The facilities like proper sanitation, drinking water, safe transport, etc. should be provided to the girls. Hence, parents can send their daughters to school without worrying about them. Another reason for such a low literacy rate of women is the lack of high school and good colleges in the rural sectors. Parents of the tribal sector do not send their daughters to cities and metros to complete their studies. Studies show that, about 31% of rural girls do not able to complete their studies because of the lack of high schools and college institutions in the villages.

Inadequate health care during the pregnancy is another issue where women are neglected. The lack of proper knowledge about the prenatal care is one of the reasons of the increasing mortality rate in India. Training programs should be organized to educate the mothers about prenatal care. We can reduce the risk during the pregnancy of women by empowering them with the knowledge of antenatal and parental care. Empowering women through the knowledge of proper nutrition and health care can create a healthy environment in the society.

When women are economically empowered they not only generate the income, but also participate in the decision-making that results in the overall empowerment of the women. According to the statistics of women in India 2010, about 9.42% women are at the workplace in the urban areas, whereas 16.65% women are working in the rural women. According to the data, in the rural areas there are more women workers. Many women in the rural sector do not get the wages equal to men. According to the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 passed by the constitution of India, every woman has rights to get the equal payment for equal work. The women in the urban sector actively participate in the economic activity. But, a certain population of women still does not able to join the organizations because of the family commitments. Some people deter their wives, sisters, daughters, etc. to join any organization because of the molestation of women in the workplace. The organizations should provide safety of women in the workplace as well as while traveling for the company and home.

The violence, harassment and molestation against women in the society are increasing day by day. Therefore, to handle the antisocial activity, the Uttar Pradesh police started the Women Power Line 1090. The unique service of Women Power Line handles the case of offense against women and ensures immediate protection to the women and girls. Women can register a complaint against fake and annoying calls, domestic violence and harassment in public places. The Women Power Line number 1090 is for empowering the women at the time of emergency. The Women Power Line provides immediate help; therefore, the victim does not need to register F.I.R. or any formal letter for the further process of the police department. The success rate of the Women Power Line is 99%, whereas the conviction rate in the courts is only 4%. WPL do not involve the court in solving the cases of harassment. The members of WPL aims at resolving the problems of victims till their satisfaction.

Ensuring Workplace Safety: A Key Element of Women's Economic Empowerment

Today’s women are contributing to many of the working sectors and help in the economic development of the country. Women are ready to accept challenges and very gracefully handle their role and responsibilities.

Working women are more vulnerable to abuse and exploitation than men. Many women faced the physical and psychological consequences in the workplace. Workplace harassment may be sexual, religion, racial, gender biased, national origin, etc. In many organizations, women who are working late hours in the office are facing the sexual harassment in the workplace or while traveling home. According to the labor laws, the duty of a female worker is limited to 42 hours a week. However, at many organizations female workers are forced to work more than 90 hours a week. While extra working time women do not get the social security, transportation safety and other essential facilities. Therefore, due to the lack of safety, and security many women are harassed and molested in the workplace.

Women and girls should complaint immediately to the organization authorities if they are being harassed and molested in the workplace. The organizations should provide a healthy working environment inside the workplace, and safe transport facilities should be provided to women so that crime against women can be controlled.

For the women empowerment, the Uttar Pradesh police started the Women Power Line number 1090 for the safety of troubled or harassed women. The Women Power Line 1090 service helps those women who require any assist in the emergency. The victims can call to the 1090 Women Power Line number for the help. There is no need for reporting F.I.R., and the most important thing the identity of the women is not disclosed. The victims can seek help from the counselor with an anonymous identity. WPL don't call the victim to the police station, they assist the victim through telephone and update their progress to the victim concerning complaints. One can send a message to the WhatApp number 9454401090 of the Women Power Line. The audio or video file can also be attached and send to the WPL members.

WPL attended 3lakh calls and satisfied more than 2.5lakh victims through the call. The Women Power Line members remain in touch with the victim until the case is completely resolved. The member of WPL aims at addressing the problems of victims till their satisfaction. The helpline number 1090 provided by the super cops of Uttar Pradesh is a one state number for the protection of women so they can live their life without any fear.

Intake of Alcohol & Drugs Causing Violence against Women

A prevalent thinking in our society about domestic violence is that intake of alcohol is the primary cause of domestic abuse. No doubt, many of the crimes occur because of the consumption of alcohol and other drugs. But, some people do not believe that alcohol causes violence against women; because it is not necessary when a man drinks he will commit a violent act.

Alcohol is not always the reason for domestic violence. The role of alcohol in violence depends on drinking context, the relationship between the victim and the perpetrator, etc. If a man with a short temper nature has taken enough alcohol, so his blood alcohol concentration is over the limit. Hence, he will be more likely to direct his anger and will be responsible to cause domestic violence. Sometimes, the intake of alcohol by the perpetrator can lead to the violence because a person loses his/her inhibition and control on impulse. Women who intake alcohol also put themselves at a risk of becoming a victim. Alcohol addicted women can also act in an abusive way because of the loss of control of temper.

According to the survey done by the Tennessee Association of Alcohol, Drug and other Addiction, financial pressure, low status in the society, stress, etc. are the reasons of domestic violence that is generally caused when the perpetrator has taken alcohol or other drugs.

Often the domestic violence is caused by the excessive drinking that makes the situation more violent and also increases the severity of abusive incidence. According to the Women's Rural Advocacy Program, women and children are the worst suffers from the domestic violence. The children who faced the domestic violence affect them in a number of negative ways. About 25-50% of the domestic violence is caused due to the excessive drinking as per the survey done by Tennessee Association of Alcohol, Drug, and other Addiction.

Researchers have concluded that the victims of domestic violence are mainly from the rural areas. However, many report that shows, the evil practice of domestic violence in cities and metros is also not less. Many families or women who faced the domestic violence are affected severely both physically and mentally. The heinous practice of domestic violence results in many adverse effects. Women attempt suicide, use drugs, exhibit violent behaviors, etc. Women and girls who are being harassed and facing torture can immediately seek help from the Women Power Line service of the Uttar Pradesh.

Women Power Line 1090 is an initiative of UP police for empowering women. The victim can easily register a complaint against harassment they face, without coming to the police station. The Uttar Pradesh government gifted a power line number exclusively for women facing the problem of crank calls, vulgar messages, stalking, humiliation and domestic violence. Women Power Line provides a platform for the women to share their problem without hesitation and fear. The complaint calls of females are attended by women and girls so that they feel comfortable while speaking to the member of WPL about their problems. The unique thing about the Women Power Line system is its four-digit number 1090. One can easily remember and dial the number even in the haste. WPL have personal security mobile app and services for the safety of the women and teen girls. With the help of the app "Shakti 1090", a victim can record audio and video clip and send them to the police control. The police departments then quickly identify the location of the victim. One of the fastest emerging tools to check crime against women is WhatsApp number of WPL, 9454401090. Women Power Line is contributing to the women empowerment and also ensures that they feel safe and secure.