Thursday, 30 April 2015

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

Gender Equality, Empowerment of Women



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.

No comments:

Post a Comment