Various studies, as well as our experience, have shown that when we work towards women empowerment, the whole society benefits. But unfortunately in India, far from empowering women, most are denied even their basic rights like health, education of girls for women empowerment, employment and a respectable status in society.
According to a recent UNDP Human Development Report, India has a dangerously imbalanced sex ratio, the chief reason being rampant female infanticide and sex-selective abortions.
Swabhiman, meaning self-respect in English, was initiated in 2005 to address these challenges through a simple yet effective approach. The programme is specifically aimed at realization of both individual and collective self-esteem and inner strength for marginalised and socially excluded women and adolescent girls through innovative community practices.
A tailor-made strategy called the '4 S Model' has been developed under Swabhiman, the women empowerment programme. The ‘4 S Model’ is an acronym for four novel approaches, namely Seeking Healthcare as a Behaviour, Support for Education, Supporters through Male Involvement, and Sustaining the Change in Communities.
The programme identifies adolescent girls and women from the community and develops them into Change Agents, who in turn actively contribute to the community mobilization process.
So far, Swabhiman through women's education empowerment program and health programmes has successfully made a difference to the lives of over 560,000 women and girl children.
Gender inequality is the main social issue in India in which female male dominance is lagging behind in the country. There is a need to accelerate women empowerment to bring men and women on par. The upliftment of women in all fields should be included in the priority of the nation. The disparity between men and women gives rise to many problems which can pose as major obstacles in the development of the nation. It is the birthright of women that they should get equal importance as men in society. To truly bring empowerment, women should be aware of their rights. Not only domestic and family responsibilities but also women should play an active and positive role in every field. They should also know the happenings around them and in the country.
Women empowerment has this power to change a lot in society and country. She can deal with any problem in society better than men. She can understand well the loss of overpopulation for the country and the family. With good family planning, he is fully capable of managing the economic condition of the country and the family. Women are more capable of handling any effective violence than men, whether it is family or social.
Through women empowerment, it is possible that a country with female-male equality of a strong economy can be replaced with a country with maleist influence. With the help of women empowerment, every member of the family can easily develop without much effort. A woman is considered very responsible for everything in the family, so she can solve all problems well. With the empowerment of women, the whole society will automatically become strong.
Women empowerment is a better solution to any small or major problem related to human, economic or environmental. In the last few years we are getting the benefit of women empowerment. Women are more conscious about their health, education, job, and responsibility towards family, country and society. She participates prominently in every field and shows her interest. Finally, after many years of struggle, they are getting their right to follow the right path.
The need for women empowerment arose because India had a gender inequality and a male dominated society since ancient times. Women were pressurized by their own families and society for various reasons and they were subjected to various forms of violence and discrimination in family and society, this is not only seen in India but also in other countries. Wrong and old trends in the society since ancient times for women were molded into new customs and traditions. To honor women in Indian society, it is a tradition to worship women ladies as mother, sister, daughter, wife, but this does not mean that just by worshiping women, the need of development of the country will be fulfilled. Today, it is necessary that half the population of the country i.e. women are empowered in every field, which will become the basis of development of the country.
India is a famous country which has proved the phrase 'unity in diversity', where people of different religions live in Indian society. Women have been given a different place in every religion, which has been helping people continue many wrong actions (physical and mental) against women, as a big veil covering the eyes and as an ideal for many years. is. Ancient Indian society, along with other discriminatory practices, was the tradition of sati, city brides, dowry, sexual violence, domestic violence, killing of girls in the womb, veils, sexual abuse at work, child labor, child marriage and devadasi system etc. . The reason for such malpractices is patriarchal society and male superiority occultism.
Socio political rights (freedom to work, right to education, etc.) were completely banned by male family members. Some bad practices against women were removed by open minded people and great Indian people who raised their voice for discriminatory actions against women. It was because of the continuous efforts of Raja Ram Mohan Roy that the British were forced to abolish the practice of Sati. Later other Indian social reformers (Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Acharya Vinobha Bhave, Swami Vivekananda etc.) also raised their voice and fought fiercely for women's upliftment. To improve the condition of widows in India, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar introduced the Widow Re-Marriage Act 1856 with his continuous efforts.
In the last few years, many constitutional and legal rights have been created and enforced by the government to remove gender inequality and evil practices against women. However, there is a need for constant support of everyone including women to solve such a big topic. The modern society is more aware of the rights of women, as a result of which many self-help groups and NGOs etc. are working in this direction. Women are more open minded and are breaking social bonds to get their rights in all dimensions. However, the crime is going on simultaneously.
Some of the Acts passed by Parliament to empower women with legal rights are - Equal Remuneration Act 1976, Dowry Prohibition Act 1961, Immoral Trade (Prevention) Act 1956, Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act 1987, Prevention of Child Marriage Act 2006Sex Testing Techniques (Controller and Prevention of Misuse) Act 1994, Sexual Exploitation of Women at Workplace Act 2013.
Working towards the empowerment of women, the Swarashtra Seva Foundation is running a number of programs. Women's income is increased by forming groups of women and connecting them to domestic industries. They are made self-sufficient by training them in making incense sticks, pickles, jam, papad. They are made self-sufficient by training small cottage and domestic industries. Women are being made aware about their rights so that they are not exploited. Donate to the Swarashtra Seva Foundation to help women become self-reliant and help them live a life of self-respect.
