Empowerment of Women in India - An Attempt to Fill the Gender Gap

In India, the discrimination between men and women is affecting the lives of both the genders. The discrimination creates hindrance in the development of the society. The men and women have equal rights according to the Constitution of India but still the gender disparity exists. Women are discriminated in each stage of their life.

Discrimination against women

The low status of the women is due to the gender inequality. The sex- selective abortion is declining the girl population in the Indian society. The demand for son among the parents still exists. Therefore, many girls are killed in the fetus or killed after the birth. Studies show that, the practice of female feticide is still happening in the society due to the backwardness and orthodox cultural beliefs of the people.

According to the 2001 census of India, the literacy rate of women (65.46%) lags behind the literacy rate of men (82.14%) because very few populations of women are receiving the education. A certain mass of people of the tribal sector in India, believe that educating a girl is the waste of resources because the daughters would live with their husbands after the marriage and, therefore, consider the girl as a liability. According to the Hindu Succession Act, 1956, the women and girls have the equal right in the parental property. But, still in the different region of India, many women are deprived to the parental property.

How to fill the gender gap?

According to the data of National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), the average wage rate of women is one-fifth lower than the men. Therefore, the participation of women in the workforce is less than the men because women get fewer wages. The Government of India needs to enforce more acts to increase the women’s right in employment. We need to encourage women to participate in the public and political development of the country. The statistical data show that there are only 5% of women in the police force. According to the survey done in April 2014, there were only two out of 24 Supreme Court judges.

We need to promote women through education, skill development, etc. so that they can know their basic rights. The awareness programs related to health care should be organized in rural areas so that women can take proper care of their children and themselves as well. The prohibition of all forms of violence against women is necessary so that women can actively participate in the social, economic and cultural development of the country.

The violence against women is ruining the life of many women and teen girls. In India, various women are harassed at every step of life, but they silently accept the torture. The women and girls should strongly protest against the crime. If women will not raise their voice, we cannot able to abolish the discrimination against women. Therefore, the Uttar Pradesh police started the Women Power Line to protest against the crime and to eliminate all the anti-social activity happening in the society.

Women hesitate to share their problems related to harassment and violence and also do not want to disclose their identity while filing a complaint. Therefore, Women Power Line provides a platform where any woman or girl can easily share their problem to the woman constable. With an anonymous identity, women can file their complaint and no need of writing any formal letters. The Women Power Line takes strict action against any offenses against women and ensures their safety. The four-digit number (1090) of WPL is providing strength to many women and girls. The Women Power Line is a dedicated service and provides immediate help to the women in distress. The service of the Women Power line is gaining popularity by the girls and women of Uttar Pradesh.

Women's Empowerment and Reproductive Health in Rural India

The health status of Indian women is a matter of concern, especially in the rural sector. India accounts for the maximum number of maternal deaths in the world due to the complication of unsafe abortion, postpartum infection or bleeding, obstructed labor and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Poor health not only affects to women, but also their family members. Women in ill-health are more likely to give birth to low-weight infants. Many women die because of the lack of proper nutrition and health care.

The exploitation of women through female foeticide is still prevalent in India. There is a high desire for boy child among the Indian families because people believe that the son will take care of the parents in their old age. According to the traditional Indian beliefs, a childless woman is incomplete, and if, given birth to a girl child is partially complete. The women who have a boy child are only considered as a complete and can enjoy the status in the society.

In India, most of the women are illiterate in the rural sector. 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.

Numerous of studies shown that closely spaced births affect the mothers’ health and also cause obstructed labor, birth of a premature baby. Unwanted babies termination by unsafe abortions also hampers the health of the mothers. The family planning awareness program should be organized so that woman and men both can know the better health of the mother and infants. Domestic violence during the pregnancy affects both the mother and child. According to the research, women who are abused during the pregnancy, they face miscarriage, gynecological problems, etc.

As we know there are many crimes against the women, so entire citizen should take initiative steps and protect the women of our country. Women power line 1090 of Uttar Pradesh has been designed to protect those women, who are being harassed, molested and need protection. Women and teen girls can feel safe by dialing the number 1090 and can share their problems with female constables. Trained female constables of Women Power Line counsel the victims and ensure safety to them. The members of WPL immediately take action against the violence and harassment to provide better protection to the women. Women Power Line members always give fast support to the women, who have been subjected to the harassment.

Condition of the Exploited Women in Contemporary Society

In the contemporary society, several women are exploited physically, socially, economically, and mentally in their life. Exploitation against women is often highlighted by the media in the modern society. The violence and injustice against women are not new. The traces of cruelty against women are also found in the history of ancient India.

STAGES OF WOMEN EXPLOITATION AND PRESENT INDIAN PERSPECTIVES

The women in India are discriminated in the every sphere of life, whether education, employment, property rights or access to health care. In our society, the discrimination of women started at the stage of birth.

Pre-birth stage of women

The exploitation of women on the stage of pre-birth is still prevalent in many parts of India. The desire of male child still exists even in the modern era. The practice of female foeticide is illegal in the country, but many people are misusing the technology of the medical science for the sex determination. About 50 million girls are missing from the Indian population because of the termination of the female fetus.

Infancy stage of women

At the infancy stage, girls are ignored particularly in case of the education, nutrition, and healthcare. In the rural sector of India, people emphasize more on their sons than the daughters. The girls are discriminated within the family members.

Childhood stage of women

At the stage of childhood, many women are victimized in the form of child trafficking and abuse. Many girls are kidnapped for the illegal work of child labor and sex. At the stage of childhood, the life of girls is ruined because of the exploitation.

The adolescence stage of women

The women and girls mostly became the victim of sexual harassment, molestation, eve-teasing, rape, etc. at the stage of the adolescence. Everyday media flash the report of sexual harassment like rape, eve-teasing, etc. At the stage of adolescence, many women are forced by their parents to get married at the early stage. The early marriage of a girl hampers her education and self-development.

Reproductive stage of women

At the reproductive stage, women do not get the proper nutrition and health care. Therefore, the maternal death rate is 437 per 100,000 live births, which is mainly caused due to the anemia, abortion, infection, hemorrhage and obstructed labor.

DIFFERENT FORMS OF WOMEN EXPLOITATION IN PRESENT SOCIETY

Dowry deaths

The cases of dowry death are common in the states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, etc. part of the India. When the family of the bride does not able to full fill the demand of dowry made by the bridegroom, the bride's are severely beaten and killed. The dowry death is increased by 2.6% over the last year in the India. About 8,172 cases of dowry death are reported from the Uttar Pradesh.

Kidnapping

About 12.2% of women are kidnapped and exploited. The Uttar Pradesh has reported 19.7% of cases related to the kidnapping.

Torture

Women are abused inside the home by their husband or family. The cases of ‘torture’ are increased to 10.1% over the previous year. The highest rate of torture reported from the Tripura i.e. 22.8%.

Molestation

The case of molestation is occurring very frequently in the states like Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The working women are the worst sufferer of molestation.

Sexual harassment

Many women are facing the sexual harassment, and the crime is increasing day by day. The Uttar Pradesh has reported 22.9% cases of the sexual harassment.

Many women are suffering from several heinous crimes and silently ignoring them. 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.

How to Stop Women Abuse, Eve Teasing & Cyber Crime

The gender-based discrimination in the society is giving rise to the violence against women and girls. Everyday many women are facing the dirty comments, stares, unwelcome touch whenever they step out of the home. In every five minutes, a woman is sexually harassed. Every day women and girls have to contend with their life. The victim of eve-teasing can be anybody, of any age, anywhere and anytime. The perpetrator is mainly a man or a teen boy against a woman. Studies have shown that molestation and sexual harassment against women are still endemic. Even in many organizations women face the harassment. About 40-60% of working women face the antisocial behavior at the workplace. Lack of religious values, morality, ethics and disrespect of women are giving rise to the unsocial behavior in the society.

The new generation criminal activity like cyber flames, cyber flirting, cyber teasing, cyber cheating, etc. are increasing very rapidly not only in India, but all over the world. Most of the cyber crime happens in the social networking websites, public chat rooms, and online messaging application. The identity of many women is misused in the cyber crime. The cyber crime happens in many ways like cyber stalking, cyber pornography, email spoofing, etc.

Women should encourage registering a complaint, whenever they are facing any unlawful act in the society. We need to empower women through the useful tricks of self-defense so that they can utilize them at the time of emergency. About 48% of the women use pepper spray for their self-defense weapon. Studies have shown that the movies and television show featuring women as sex objects is responsible for raising the violence against women in the society. We should not support the movies and television shows, which provoke the people for doing the evil behavior against the women. The cyber crime should be controlled by using the strong password for every account. Women and girls who use social networking sites should set their user account settings to private.

The Power Angles of Women Power Line (teen volunteers of WPL) educate the girls and women not to tolerate the harassment and violence against them. If women tolerate the crime silently, we cannot put an end to the crime. We need to empower women so that they will come forward and fight for their rights. Women Power Line empowers women to fight against the harassment they face and encourages them to register a complaint against the anti-social behavior happening in their surroundings immediately. The Power Angles visit many rural areas and educate the women and girls with the modern technology, like mobile phones, internet, etc. and encourage them to use them. Therefore, the women and girls can immediately lodge a complaint to the Women Power Line 1090 against the offence they are facing.

The member of the Women Power Line does not portray women as a weak and helpless entity. The members of WPL empower women, provide strength and support them to bravely fight against the crime instead of silently ignoring them. Women and girls without hesitation, dial the number 1090 to register the complaint against the offences they face. The counselors of the Women Power Line system do not call the victim to the police station. Women and teen girls can register a complaint against the harassment they face by dialing 1090 number or by sending the message in the WhatsApp number 9454401090 of the Women Power Line. One can also register online by log into www.1090up.in. The Smartphone user can use the WPL application, i.e. Shakti app. With the help of the app "Shakti 1090", victims can record audio and video clip and send them to the police control. Women Power Line deals through the SMS and keeps posting their work progress to the victim concerning their complaint. Women Power Line immediately takes the strict measures against the offence. If the person repeats their actions, then the police can take legal steps against them. Since, the Women Power Line maintains the dignity of the female and ensures the safety at the time of emergency. WPL is gaining popularity among the girls and women. Many people appreciated the work of the Women Power Line.

Protective Measures for Women's Development & Empowerment

Empowerment of women is necessary for the development of the country and also to promote the women's inherent strengths. The contribution of women in the country should be recognized and valued to enhance their abilities, potential and talent. Women empowerment enables the women and girls to raise their voice against exploitation, injustice, violence, harassment, and abuse.

Educating women and girls are the key to empowerment of women. 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 schools. According to the research, 31% of rural girls do not able to complete their studies because of the lack of high schools and college institutions in the villages. Parents of the tribal sector do not send their daughters to cities and metros to complete their studies. According to the report, the lack of the facility of toilets in the school is also a reason for the parents for not sending their daughters to school and college. The young girls are more vulnerable to the offenses. Therefore, most of the parents hesitate to send their daughters to school after the age of 14-15 years. The Government should take the initiative step for the protection of women and girls because most of the crime occurs in the rural areas while going toilets far from home or school. The Uttar Pradesh police started Women Power Line for the protection of women and teen girls. Any girl or a woman who is harassed or molested can lodge a complaint to the Women Power Line. To register a complaint, women do not need to come to the police station. Women and girls hesitate to disclose their identity while complaining against the crime. Therefore, Women Power Line provides a platform where women and girls can file a complaint with an anonymous identity.

Women are strong and have the potential to improve the economic condition of the country. Economically empowered women are self-dependent. Their children are educated, families are healthier and improved livelihood. We need to encourage women so they can earn money to improve their livelihood by educating their children, provide nutritious food for their family, etc. In India, many women are illiterate that results in the lack of interest and motivation to earn money. We need to encourage women for education as well as to earn money so that they can contribute in the economic and social development of the society. Economically empowered women can reduce the poverty from the society.

Educated women are self-motivated and bravely accept the responsibilities as well as risk. Women face tremendous hurdles when they start their enterprise and sometimes they became the victim of violence. According to the research, women became the victim of domestic violence because they earn more than their husband. In the cities, many women are harassed and molested in the workplace and also tortured by the family because of working outside the home. We need to put an end to the violence against women for a better tomorrow. Therefore, the contribution of Women Power Line to controlling the crime against women is quite appreciable. The WPL is a potent tool for managing and improving the current situation of the police department. The Women Power Line has given the responsibility to women constable to attend the call of the victims. Therefore, victims share their problems without hesitation. The Women Power Line is a system for the women by the women.

Societal Development is a Tool for Women Empowerment

Women are an important part in our society, and empowerment of women is must for the social, economical, and political development of the society. According to the survey, the women contribute 75% in the development of the society, whereas men contribute only 25%, although the population of female in our country is low as compared to the men. Unfortunately, even the women and girls have praiseworthy role in society, still they are being neglected.

Empowerment of women through social development

The women and girls are deprived of their basic rights because of the social barrier of the Indian society. Many girls do not able to receive the primary education because people consider daughters as a liability. Parents engage their daughters in the household work or the agricultural work. In our society, many girls are forced by their parents to get married at an early age. According to the traditional belief, if a marriage of a girl is not done at the early age, people consider as a failure of the parents. Many people marry their daughters at an early age in order to maintain their status in the community.

A lot of families deter their daughter-in-law from working outside the house. A Certain mass of people believes that after marriage women should engage in the household work and take care of the family due to their orthodox thinking. There is a great initiative towards empowering women, the Uttar Pradesh police started the Women Power Line 1090 for the safety of troubled or harassed women.

Political Empowerment

Involvements of women in the politics provides a governance benefit, but if the existing data will be referenced, then only 9% of the seats are occupied by the women in the parliament. Female political leaders even contributed at the high level towards the growth of the nation than the male counterparts. We need to extend our help and support to women. Therefore, women can actively participate in the political development of our society, which will set a milestone for next generation.

Technological Empowerment

We need to encourage women for using the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools in the proper way. Using ICT, women can broaden the scope of their activities since more than 80% of women are working in the rural sector. The working women of the rural sector are mostly engaged in economic activities like sewing, weaving, handicrafts, etc. The women of a rural sector should expose to modern technology so that they can get benefit in their handicraft markets. The members of the WPL educate the rural women for using the mobile phones; internet, etc. so at the time of emergency women can contact the WPL.

Empowerment through economic development

Empowerment of women is necessary for the economic development of the country. Therefore, we should encourage and empower women to earn so that they can improve their livelihood with their income. Women have the right to live an independent life as well. In the cities, women are highly willing for the job opportunities, and they can work outside the house. The gender inequality creates a wide cap between men and women, which leads to less participation of women in the workplace. Women get less wage than the men in many workplaces. At the time of promotion, men get the more preference, than the women. The reason behind the hindrance to the development of the country is the difference between men and women.

Sometimes, women are molested and harassed at the workplace also. The lack of strict government rules is responsible for the crime against women. Therefore, Women Power Line 1090 provides a practical solution so that the accused boy can be immediately warned and punished. In every police station, the victim has to register the F.I.R. for the further process of the police department, but WPL does not need any formal letters. The success rate of the Women Power Line is 99%, whereas the conviction rate in the courts is only 4%. WPL do not involve court in solving the cases of harassment and provide immediate help to the victim.