WOMEN EMPOWERMENT AND

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
INTRODUCTION

―Women‘s empowerment is the process in which women elaborate and recreate what it is that
they can be, do, and accomplish in a circumstance that they previously were denied.
Empowerment can be defined in many ways, however, when talking about women‘s
empowerment, empowerment means accepting and allowing people (women) who are on the
outside of the decision-making process into it‖.

Women‘s empowerment refers to the process of enabling women to have greater

control over their lives and to be able to make their own decisions. This can include
empowering women to participate fully in the economy and in the political process, as well
as empowering them to make decisions about their own health and well-being.
Women‘s empowerment is important because it can lead to a range of positive outcomes,
including increased economic growth and development, improved health and well-being, and
greater gender equality.

In India, women‘s empowerment has been a key issue for many years. Despite some
progress in recent decades, women in India continue to face significant challenges when it
comes to gender equality. These challenges include discrimination, lack of access to
education and employment, and gender-based violence.

The term women empowerment is all about authority, or the power embarked on women
sharing indistinguishable rights. The term refers to the liberation of women from socio-
economic restraints of reliance. Women comprise around 50% of the country‘s population,
and a bulk of them stays economically dependent on each other without employment. In the
age of feminism, a small portion of women in India are freed and can employ their free will
and are permitted to carve out their lives the way they want. But there is a considerable
division of the women in this nation who require optimistic support. In most Indian villages
and semi-urban cities, women are still denied fundamental education and are never
authorized to continue higher education despite amassing the understanding required.
 Women are known for delivering multiple roles effortlessly per day, and thus, they are
considered the backbone of every society. Living in male-dominating societies, women play a
wide range of roles, such as caring mothers, loving daughters, and capable colleagues. The
best part is that they fit the bill perfectly in every role. Nonetheless, they‘ve also stood as a
neglected bunch of society in different parts of the world. In turn, it has resulted in women
surviving the brunt of unevenness, financial trustworthiness, oppression, and distinct social
evils. Women have been residing under the shackles of enslavement for centuries now that
impedes them from attaining professional as well as personal highs. Being an NGO for
women empowerment in India, Hindrise Foundation has designed our dynamic and
transformation-oriented programs in such a manner that the grooming of impoverished young
girls will uplift the condition of the nation.

FACTORS AFFECTING WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT

 Gender Discrimination must be Checked- The problem of gender discrimination

has affected the pace of women empowerment in India. Gender discrimination in all
realms of action must be checked. Women must be furnished with a resort to take an
active part in decision making at every level and direction procedures to attain the
motive of empowering women. They need to get due admiration and prominence,
which they rightfully earn on merit basis in society to accomplish their fate.

 Educational Factor- Education is the most vibrant factor of advancement and

growth. It is the only significant tool for anticipating women empowerment in India &
 human resource development. It gives light to the possibilities for access to
employment and making a livelihood, which in twirl revivify economic empowerment
to women. In order to join the community of developed countries, people should
understand the value and importance of women‘s education and, thereby, put
combined efforts to make India on the progressive track. Education makes the
individual conscientious, enabling them to comprehend, interpret, criticize, and
eventually transform their atmosphere. It results in the accession of abundances of
skills that heighten a person‘s enthusiasm and her proficiency to shape life in a better
form.
Education is the initial line of defense for women who withstand life-imperiling
circumstances that traditional lifestyle perpetuates. It motivates a sense of supervision over
personal fortune. In addition to this, it unlocks the door to preferences that are not confined
by tradition. With a meaningful education, the women‘s status strides beyond the restrictions
of motherliness. Advancement of education of women and girls allots to the postponement of
their marriage timing and the ensuing constriction in the volume of their families.

Priority should be plopped on enrolment along with retention of the girl child in basic formal
schooling and non-formal education via incentive methods like a supply of textbooks free of
cost, midday meals, school bags, science kits, uniform, scholarship, residential and hostel
facilities as well as the expulsion of gender discrimination in the curriculum. Education will
go an extended way in making women familiar with their legal and personal rights and make
them battle for their privileges, which will direct to protecting their rights mentioned in the
Constitution.

 Mass Media is Bringing the Transformation- The mass media is responsible for
playing a significant function to project and propagate associated issues, most
specifically about women empowerment in India. The numerous programmes
pertaining to women‘s prestige revealed the mass media enable her husband to behave
toward her wife with loads of honor and respect. He can remake his attitude and assist
her in the domestic domain to reduce stress and anxiety. The mass media performs a
crucial role in repairing the attitude and way of conversation of husband and other
family members towards women.

 Steps Regarding Implementation of Women Development Programme along

with Numerous Acts- Training programme based on action at the village or in rural
parts of India along with vocational programmes and the growth-oriented
entrepreneurship development programmes must be organized to make women self-
reliant after becoming self-employed by enhancing their efficiency and capacities in
making prompt decisions. It‘s extremely important to check cases related to female
feticide & infanticide by prohibiting the sex determination of child that is yet to take
birth via the Regulation & Prevention of Misuse Act 1994 as well as PNT ACT (Pre-
natal Diagnostic Techniques Act) other rulings correlating to marriage, succession,
 divorce, adoption, dowry and moral safety or protection against sexual harassment
needs to be implemented for serving the goal of women empowerment in India.

 Changes in Women‟s Attitude- Women should empower themselves by becoming

to be aware of their oppression, indicating initiative, and confiscating chances to bring
a shift in their status. Empowerment must come from within the soul. Women need to
empower themselves by bringing a major change in their attitude.

Women must know that opportunities will not reach their laps. They would have to determine
ways to create them. They should fight back to rebuild their prominent position in Indian
communities and societies. They must flourish hard to carry out their rights and maintain
justice & equality in society. They need to work vigorously for the entire elimination of
poverty, dowry-ills, illiteracy, and productive implementation of all programmes and laws
related to women.

Women‘s empowerment is valuable for the development and advancement of the family,
community as well as the nation. Hence, it must be a leading concern of the Indian
Government to bring women into the fore of the development strategy by empowering them
via numerous development-oriented schemes.
  Organization for Awareness Programmes- State and National level commissions
for women, Non-Governmental Organisations, ICDS Programmes, must undertake e-
awareness, the Taskforce for women & children Development DWACRA
(Concerning Development of Women & Child in Rural Areas), women‘s rights,
human rights, a campaign about legal rights, education about saving schemes,
population education, environmental education, rehabilitation programmes with all
integrity and solemnity.

IMPORTANCE OF WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

In recent times, everyone is pointing on the empowerment of women. It‘s right to say that
women‘s empowerment has become the necessity of the time. Women should possess liberty,
faith, and self-worth to opt for their needs and demands. Discrimination based on gender is
useless and is having zero worth by looking at the growth of women in the last few decades.
Women are paid less and are treated as a cook and slave in families, and their real potential
fails to get highlighted. Women empowerment in India is required to overcome situations of
such types and to provide them with their independent role in Indian society. Empowering
women is a necessary right of women. They should have proportional rights to contribute to
society, economics, education, and politics. They are approved to gain higher education and
receive a similar treatment as men are receiving.
ENSURES HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIETY
Women empowerment in India is one of the principal terms for society‘s overall
development. There is nothing erroneous in participating in the development of society. In
the world of corporates, women are playing numerous roles in meadows such as medical,
engineering, and so on. Apart from taking part in the sphere of technology, they are
energetically partaking in security services such as police, navy, military, etc. All these
before-mentioned services are taking the community to another level.

DETERMINE THEIR INTELLIGENCE LEVEL

Over the preceding decades, there has been a uniform increase in women‘s
empowerment. Women must possess self-worth, confidence, and freedom to choose their
needs and requirements. Classifying the people based on gender is unreasonable, and it has
no worth. Still, women are paid less, expected to cook, and restricted by their family
members. To overcome these situations and to have an independent role in society, women‘s
empowerment is needed.

Empowering women is the fundamental right of women. They can have equal rights to
participate in education, society, economics, and politics. They are allowed to have higher
education and treated in the way like men. In this article, you will know about the importance
of women‘s empowerment. So make a halt on this page and read the following content.

ABLE TO SOLVE UNEMPLOYMENT

Unemployment is one of the common problems that can be seen in the developing society.
The research says that half of the population consists of women. The unemployment of
women and unequal opportunites in the workplace can be eradicated with the help of women
empowerment in India. Whenever women are facing unemployment, their true potential is
left without any use. To make use of the strength and potential of the women, they must be
provided with equal opportunities. You can motivate them by providing any special gifts. The
best time to honor women is women‘s day. You can honor them with women‘s day gifts.

KNOW ABOUT THEIR INTELLIGENCE

It is unthinkable to understand and analyze the way of living of women by peeking at
them. You can foresee their level of intelligence by way of moving toward the problems and
in the solution-finding. In the contemporary era, women are nicely versed in unraveling
technical troubles. Women‘s empowerment plays a vital role in these cases. Without women
empowerment in India, you won‘t be able to determine and understand the intelligence of
women. Therefore, making existence in work is particularly important and an advantageous
one. You can present any gift to give recognition to their work.
CAPABLE ENOUGH TO SOLVE THE ISSUES OF UNEMPLOYMENT
Unemployment is one of the widespread problems that can be glimpsed in societies in the
developing stage. The study says that around half of the population comprises women. The
unemployment of women & unbalanced opportunities in the working place can be eliminated
with the assistance of women empowerment in India. Whenever women are confronting
unemployment issues, their true capability is left without any intention. To make use of the
courage and capacity of the women, they should be empowered with an equal number of
opportunities.

TO WRAP UP
Being an NGO for women empowerment in India, Hindrise Foundation has commenced
executing programs and campaigns concerning women empowerment via education & other
essential rights. Our target rotates around the empowerment of every single girl children so
that when they join the level of evolving as an adult, they should be competent souls.

Our NGO for social welfare, Hindrise Foundation, is framing the strategies regarding the
girl child education so that their remaining life from now onwards would be a steady ride.
Being an NGO for women empowerment in India, Hindrise Foundation heightens the
accessibility of healthful and uninfected food in the backward societies of rural areas,
ensuring that girl children will get the nutrient-rich nutrition to live a healthy life.

WOMEN OF WORTH (WOW)

―Women Of Worth exists for the growth, empowerment and safety of girls and women‖
standing ―for justice, equality and change.‖ WOW began in 2008, created by a group of
women who longed for change in a society rife with gender discriminatory practices. Its
ultimate vision is ―to see women and girls live up to their fullest potential.‖ With a mission of
empowering women in India, the organization has three focal areas:
 Advocacy Work: WOW utilizes social media platforms to raise awareness on gender
inequality and ―change attitudes and behavior.‖
 Training and Health Services: WOW provides training to both men and women in
schools, tertiary institutions and companies on women‘s safety and rights. It also presents
lectures and ―keynote addresses‖ on the topic. Furthermore, WOW provides counseling
sessions to improve mental health.
 Rehabilitation and Restoration: WOW offers ―counseling, life skills training and
therapy‖ to children and women who are victims of abuse, neglect and trafficking.
WOW‘s efforts have seen success. The organization helped to rescue 200 girls from abusive
backgrounds, providing them with rehabilitation services. WOW also gave 11 girls
scholarships to continue their education. WOW provided training on gender equality to about
800 working people and ―1500 students‖ along with ―200 parents‖ and 300 educators.
Gender equality is a crucial cornerstone in the advancement of any society or nation as it
affects all areas of society from economic growth to education, health and quality of life.
Gender inequality in India is a deep-rooted, complex and multi-layered issue but it is also an
essential battle to overcome to see the fullest potential of the nation.

4 OF THE WAYS WE ALL BENEFIT

Increased workforce participation

Women spend around 2.5x more of their time on unpaid care and domestic work than men.
It makes sense that because women take on more of the domestic responsibilities, it becomes
harder to work outside of the home. When women are empowered, they are able to pursue
paid, stable employment, poverty rates decrease, food insecurity decreases, and the stability,
nutrition, and overall wellness of her family increases. Closing the gender pay gap will
accelerate these benefits.

When more women work, economies grow.

It is estimated that the gender wage gaps lowers the economy some 15% of GDP. When
women are able to work in stable jobs, they invest their income in securing the basic needs of
their families, in opportunities and wellness for their children, and in their local economies.

Increasing women‟s educational attainment contributes to more inclusive

economic growth.
Increased educational attainment accounts for about 50% of the economic growth in OECD
countries over the last 50 years. Education, upskilling, and re-skilling to keep pace with
technology are critical for providing women with opportunities to raise their wages. When
women are provided education and continued skill-development, they are less reliant on
government assistance. The effects are passed down to their children and will have an impact
on economic growth for years to come.

Women‟s economic equality is good for business.

Companies receive great benefits from increasing employment and leadership opportunities
for women. In an article from Wealth Matters, UN Women estimated that companies with
three or more women in senior management functions score higher in all dimensions of
organizational performance.

When we empower women, we increase the skilled workforce, local economies are
strengthened, businesses do better, and families rise out of poverty and create generational
wealth and self-sufficiency. We all benefit.

This is not like eating a pie. When someone is given an opportunity, it doesn‘t mean there is
no slice left for others. In fact, there is more than enough to go around. Empowered women
do not diminish opportunities for others. Rather, when we raise women up and include
diverse voices in conversations and decision making, every level of our community is
strengthened.

5 SCHEMES THAT ARE INTRODUCED BY THE GOVERNMENT 2023

1. Mahila Samman Bachat Patra Scheme or Mahila Samman Saving
Certificate Scheme
In the Budget 2023, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a savings scheme
for women and girls called Mahila Samman Bachat Patra Scheme or Mahila Samman Saving
Certificate Scheme. This scheme aims to empower women and girls financially. It is a one-
time new small saving scheme that offers an interest rate of 7.5 per cent for a maximum
deposit of Rs 2 lakh. The scheme will be available for years up to March 2025.

2. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)

Under the initiative ‗Beti Padhao–Beti Bachao‘ the government started a savings scheme
for girl children. Under this scheme, a girl child who is 10 years of age or younger can open
an account. This scheme carries a higher interest rate along with several tax benefits.
According to the Indian Post Office, a legal guardian/natural guardian can open an SSA in the
name of a girl child with a minimum deposit of Rs 250 and a maximum of 1,50,000 per
financial year. The subsequent deposits in the account can be made in multiples of Rs 50.

3. Sakhi Niwas
In order to provide working women with safe and convenient accommodation, the scheme
named Sakhi Niwas was launched. The scheme is assisting projects for the construction of
new hostel buildings, expansion of existing hostel buildings and hostel buildings in rented
premises. The working women‘s hostel projects being assisted under this scheme shall be
made available to all working women without any distinction with respect to caste, religion,
marital status etc.

4. Mahila Shakti Kendra Scheme (MSK)

The scheme‘s objective is to provide ―one stop convergent support services for
empowering rural women with opportunities for skill development, employment, digital
literacy, health and nutrition‖. The Scheme will provide an interface for rural women to
approach the government for availing their entitlements and for empowering them through
awareness generation, training and capacity building.

MSK acts as a link between local Administration, State Government and the Ministry of
Women and Child Development for implementing Women Centric Schemes and programmes
of the Government. This scheme aims to provide equal opportunities for women and men in
access to education, health care, work advancement and representation in political and
economic decision-making.

5. Women Helpline Scheme

This programme aims to provide 24-hour emergency assistance to women who have been
victims of violence in private or public places. Women's helpline numbers have been made
available in every state and union territory through a single toll-free number (181) that
provides immediate assistance to women across the country.

WOMEN‟S EMPOWERMENT : A Win-Win for Equity and Economy

G20 2023
The G20 EMPOWER 2023 under India‘s presidency aims to take forward India‘s
women-led development agenda. Women‘s Empowerment is not only an issue of social
justice but also an economic imperative. The G20 members represent over 80% of the
world‘s GDP, 75% of international trade, and 60% of the world‘s population. Given its
critical role in the global economy, the G20 holds a strategic role in securing future global
economic growth and prosperity, with a huge potential to deliver on women‘s empowerment
and gender equality.

INDIA‟S GENDER BUDGET 2023-24: MOVING TOWARDS WOMEN-

LED DEVELOPMENT
While presenting the final budget before the 2024 elections, India‘s Finance Minister,
Nirmala Sitharaman, announced that the top-most priority of the Bhartiya Janata Party
government is inclusive development, which is also the first ―saptarishis‖ or the seven
principles guiding her outlook. As a result, in her 90-minute speech, Sitharaman stressed on
women empowerment several times, stating that the government recognises ―the
importance of Nari Shakti (women power) as the harbinger of our bright future and for
women-led development during the Amrit Kaal (the 25-year-long lead-up to India@100).‘‘
Talking about the economic empowerment of women, Sitharam highlighted the success of
the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana National Rural Livelihood Mission that mobilised rural
women into 81 lakh Self Help Groups (SHGs). And, in order to enable these groups to
reach the next stage of empowerment, Sitharaman promised the formation of larger
producer enterprises or collectives—with each having about several thousand members—
and providing them help with the supply of raw materials, and better design, quality,
branding, and marketing of their products.

Talking about the economic empowerment of women, Sitharam highlighted the success
of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana National Rural Livelihood Mission that mobilised
rural women into 81 lakh Self Help Groups (SHGs).
 The budget provided financial assistance of more than INR 2.25 lakh crore to small
farmers under the Pradhan Mantri Kisam Samman Nidhi, benefiting about three crore
women farmers, who will now have access to INR 54,000 crore as a part of the scheme.

Besides, in a special gesture to women and commemorating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav

(to celebrate India‘s 75 years of Independence), a new one time small savings scheme has
been launched, which will be made available for a period of two years up to March 2025.
The Mahila Samman Savings Certificate will, in fact, offer a deposit facility of two lakhs —
made either in the name of a woman or girl—for a tenure of two years at a fixed rate of
interest of 7.5 per cent with partial withdrawal option.

Even the budget allocation made to the Ministry of Women and Child Development
(MoWCD), the nodal department of the government for the welfare of women and children,
increased by INR 267 crore from INR 25,172.28 crore allotted in 2022-23 to INR
25,448.75 crore in 2023-204, thereby, marking a hike of 1.08 per cent. It is important to
note here that the revised estimate for the ministry last year stood at INR 23,912 crore.
As per the current statistics, the Union government has, in fact, allocated INR 2,23,219.75
crore to the gender budget for schemes focused on mitigating the prevailing gender gap,
which is more than 2 per cent of the revised estimate of INR 2.18 crore in 2022-2023 and
30 per cent more than the budget estimate of INR 1,71,006.47 crore in the last fiscal year.

In India, the gender budget was first introduced in 2005-2006 in order to keep an
account of resource allocation in a way that would help in the achievement of gender
mainstreaming and to ensure that the benefits of development reach women as much as
men. It has broadly been divided into two parts, where Part A comprises schemes that are
entirely related to women, while Part B includes schemes in which at least 30 per cent of
the provisions relate to the women.

While it is true that in the last 15 years, the gender budget has seen no significant
increase, carrying an average of 4.9 per cent, the gender component in this year‘s fiscal
budget takes into account allocation across 30 union ministries and departments along with
the five Union Territories and accounts for almost 5 per cent of the total government
expenditure and 0.8 per cent of India‘s GDP.

Part A of the gender budget, in fact, went up by a whopping 70 per cent, increasing
from INR 26,772.89 crore during the last year to INR 88,044.21 crore this year. The lion‘s
share went to the rural housing scheme as specified under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas
Yojana, which holds an allocation of INR 54,487 crore targeted towards enhancing
women‘s access to land and resources.
 Meanwhile, allocations made towards the Safe City Project—which includes
surveillance initiatives like installation of cameras and strengthening other public resources
to prevent gender-based violence—rose eight times of the 2022-23 revised budget,
increasing from INR 165 crore to INR 1300 crore. Similarly, the Samarthya umbrella
scheme—introduced by the MoWCD in 2021—that comprises women empowerment
programmes like the Pradhan Mantri Vandana Yojana and Swadhar Greh, was allocated 33
per cent higher funds than the revised estimates of the 2022-23 budget.

The Union government has also included the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural
Employment Guarantee Scheme within the gender budget, which is worth INR 25,000
crore. Some of the other schemes under the gender budget are the Saksham Anganwadi and
Poshan; the Flexible Pool for RCH and Health System Strengthening as well as the
National Health Programmes and Nation Urban Health Missions; the Samagra Shiksha
scheme; the Samarthya scheme for women empowerment; and the Swachh Bharat
Mission—all of which together account for about INR 45,000 crore.

Budget allocation for autonomous bodies—that include the Central Adoption Resource
Agency, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, and the National
Commission for Women—have also witnessed an increase from INR 162 crore in the
earlier budget to INR 168 crore in the current fiscal year.

Keeping the vote bank politics aside, these initiatives definitely suggest that India has
recognised the centrality of gender equality and women‘s empowerment in all aspects of its
developmental agenda with a large share of the current government spending being targeted
towards dealing with issues affecting women as compared to those outlined in the previous
budgets. This is, therefore, a budget that is set to build a future-ready India, ready to
compete among the biggest economies of the world, moving from the paradigm of women‘s
development to women-led development.

WOMEN EDUCATION
Education is the cornerstone for women‘s empowerment because it prepares
them to respond to challenges, confront the forced traditional roles and change
their lives. The education of a woman is the most powerful tool to change her
position in society.

Education also brings a reduction in inequalities. It functions as a means of

improving their position within the family based on the concept of participation.
Empowerment is a means of creating a social environment wherein one can make
decisions and make choices either individu ally or collectively for social
transformation.
 Article 14 of the Indian Constitution clearly outlines the privilege of
unbiased gender-free education for all and Article 15 of the Constitution
empowers the state to adopt affirmative measures for pr omoting ways and means
to empower women and especially focuses on the importance of education for
women.

GOVERNMENT LED WOMEN EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMMES

The government has also launched several women empowerment
programmes and women-first initiatives. The most popular and visible among all
is the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Andolan, launched to create awareness among
the people to educate all girl children in the country.

Both earning and learning are the combined key factors to women‘s
empowerment. There is a possibility that a woman is involved in unskilled work
(for example, house helps) but still not empowered. On the contrary, it might be
possible that a woman is educated but still not empowered because she is not
earning.

Women, who are educated and earning, are in a much better position as
compared to uneducated women workers. Therefore, a scheme called Working
Women Hostels has been launched so that safe and convenient accommodation
can be provided to working women.

The scheme benefits every working woman without any distinction of caste,
religion, marital status, etc. In order to take advantage of this scheme, the gross
total income of women should not exceed INR 50,000 per month in the case of
metropolitan cities whereas, in the case of small cities, the gross total income
should not exceed INR 35,000 per month.

OTHER WOMEN EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMMES

The focus of the government has increased manifold towards women‘s
development. They are working around the clock to maximize women‘s access to
education, skill training, and institutional credit.

 MUDRA Yojana (Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency Ltd. ) is one
such scheme that was launched on 8 April 2015 in which loans up to INR 10 lakh
are provided to women entrepreneurs, without any collateral.
  The government has passed the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act 2017
increasing the maximum period of maternity leaves from 12 weeks to 26
weeks. Earlier a lot of women left their job after giving birth to children
leaving a lot of working women unemployed. This landmark act has given a new
life to the vision of women -led development.

Doing It Right and Fast

“If you educate a man you educate an individual, however, if you educate a
woman you educate a whole family. Women empowered means Mother India
empowered.”
- Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru

Though the Government has come up with various measures for women‘s
empowerment, it is still facing hurdles in society. Therefore, there is a need to
do much more for women. Also, there is a need to uphold their dignity at par
with the status of men in society.

The Constitution of our Nation doesn‘t discriminate between men and women,
but some pockets (decider pockets) of our society do. And that needs to stop
now!

LAWS FOR WOMEN IN INDIA

From right against arrest at night to right to say 'NO', every woman in India shall know
these laws

The Indian Constitution talks about equality for all irrespective of their sex, in fact, it goes
a step further and allows the state to make special laws for the benefit of women. Thus, we
have a host of laws to protect women against discrimination, violence, exploitation and
sexual harassment. Let us have a look at some rights that every woman should be aware of...
Right to marry a partner of your choice
Every girl who is eighteen years and above has the freedom to choose a partner of her
choice. Free consent is absolutely necessary for a valid marriage. No one can compel her to
marry against her wishes.

Right to monogamous marriage

Under the law, marriage has to be monogamous (except for Muslims), thus one cannot
remarry during the lifetime of an existing spouse. Such act is punishable under Section 494 of
the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Right to say „No‟

Every woman has absolute autonomy over her body and no one can compel her to establish
sexual relations without her consent. That would amount to rape. A husband has presumed
matrimonial consent to cohabit with his wife who is above 18 years of age, but if he sexually
abuses his wife, the woman has a right to get protection orders under Section 18 of the
Domestic Violence Act, 2005.

Right to protection against violence

If any woman in a domestic relationship faces violence i.e. she is subjected to physical,
verbal, emotional, sexual or economic abuse, she has the right to seek relief under the
Domestic Violence Act. Domestic relationship means a relationship between two persons
who live together or have, at any point of time, lived together in a shared household, when
they are related by consanguinity, marriage, joint family, adoption or through a relationship
in the nature of marriage.
MICROFINANCE EMPOWERS WOMEN IN INDIA
In India, there are several financial schemes that come into existence for women‘s
empowerment – microfinance is one of those. This is one of the financial schemes that aim to
help those people who are not able to get loans from banks or other financial
institutions. Empowering women is one of the purposes of microfinance.

Microfinance is an important practice of extending those small collateral-free loans or

financial assistance for those underserved individuals mainly for developing those areas
without getting any access to credit.

You will come across various microfinance institutions that include those of financial
inclusion and also non-government organizations generally target those of browsers.
Microcredit offers adequate financial support for maximizing the exact value of physical
capital.

The main purpose of this research is mainly for evaluating the great impact of those
microfinance programs primarily including complete access to microcredit and also then
saving groups. It thus helps in women‘s empowerment.
HOW IT EMPOWERS
Women in many developing areas play a significant role when it comes to agricultural
production mainly by contributing to crop processing. But, the labor is fully non-monetized
and also complimentary for rather than similar to those of man‘s labor.

Apart from this, those women who lack marketable education and skills and also have
higher fertility rate reflect that they are fully occupied with those children. Apart from this,
land and various other traditional assets are generally passed onto those of sons even without
wages or savings.

As far as microfinance services are concerned, these are something that includes savings,
credits, insurance, remittances, loans, housing, and money. These services enable women to
participate in various activities that work great when it comes to the alleviation of their
patriarchal control over those assets. Thus, it fosters both economic progress and also gender
equality.

The major purpose of microcredit is to allow women to get financial assistance even
without any collateral or any income proof. They can get microcredit in a range of sizes. You
need to choose the right option for yourself depending on your needs.

Women can get the flexibility to repay the loan in different installment options be it daily,
weekly, or monthly. Most importantly, these types of financial assistance are offered at a
nominal interest rate, especially when you compare it with those of formal institutions
including banks.

Microfinance works effectively in empowering women by increasing their courage and

also those of self-esteem and lets you avail of the formation of different networks with those
of other women in their community. It also improves their decision-making capability in
their household.

Women are popular as reliable borrowers compared to men as they have higher loan
repayment rates. If we talk about men, they are likely to misuse this type of financial
assistance for gambling, consuming liquor, and more. Women, on the other hand, get loans
and invest their money in various economic activities. It helps them get more income for their
children.
It helps them get economic gains in terms of higher consumption rates, good nutrition,
asset accumulation, and also more enrollment in various schools. We all are aware of the fact
that women‘s empowerment is something that is directly related to the economic growth of
any area.
 It reflects that many microfinance institutions (MFIs) see financial assistance like
microfinance as a complete strategic tool that involves women in the development process.
Though these types of financial assistance are available in women‘s names, several studies
already prove the fact that a loan has good control over a spouse. It indicates that women can
never misuse their loan amount for any wrong purpose.

Apart from this, numerous women generally transcend those of conservative gender roles,
they may be at a higher risk for domestic violence. The reason is men often try to reconfirm
their position of power.

Apart from this, there are several critics of microfinance that have said that many
microfinance institutions are known for having higher recovery strategies. They sometimes
seize borrowers‘ assets as well. Furthermore, they also push defaulter women into poverty.

To make a complete assessment of the effect of microfinance on women in many

developing countries, the actual concept of women‘s power is something that should be
defined operationally.

Female empowerment is something that one can categorize as an increased capability of

women for making their life choices in a connection where this was generally defined for
them. It improves their decision-making capability and thus helps them make an active
contribution to their well-being.

You will come across two possible methods for making a complete assessment of the
actual impact of microfinance on empowering women. You can also witness several process-
based impact studies that suggest that empowerment is a fully dynamic process that one can
determine only with the help of several indirect factors including managerial control over
microloans, accounting knowledge, intra-household spending control, and many more.

Apart from this, you will also come across numerous indicators that measure health,
literacy, nutrition, contraception, labor force participation, asset ownership, and many more.
If we talk about several outcome-based evaluations, these are something that uses those direct
indicators that include the assessment of various social networks and also a great belief about
life‘s outcomes.

It‘s crucial to take into account that it can change the actual structures of gender
inequality, especially within the household and also the community. It‘s also vital to take into
account that there are numerous factors: availability of time series data, women
heterogeneity, and the multi-dimensional nature of empowerment leading to conflicting
evidence and also the great impact of microfinance and also empowering women.
 Microfinance is doing a wonderful task when it comes to improving the lives of women
and helping them invest their money properly. Women can easily avail of microfinance loan
assistance and can start their business ventures to change their life forever.

WOMEN‟S SOCIAL DEVELOPMET

India has experienced rapid growth and development in the past years in many spheres.
However, the Indian development model has yet to fully incorporate the important role
played by women for propelling the socio-economic growth of the country. Current
governments at state and central level must understand that no nation can progress unless its
women are given equal access to opportunities and adequate safety and security.
 A member of the so-called ―BRICS‖ countries, India is noted for its rapidly expanding
economy. Though India has certainly grown more prosperous in the recent decades, some
groups have benefited from this boom more than others. In particular, women have faced a
range of structural and social barriers in fully participating in the Indian economy, which not
only hinders their individual agency but also limits India‘s ability to continue to modernize.

KEY CHALLENGES

Issues and Problems faced by Women in India There are various issues and problems
which women generally face in the society in India. Some of the problems are mentioned
and described below:

1. Selective abortion and female infanticide

It is the most common practice for years in India in which abortion of female fetus is
performed in the womb of mother after the fetal sex determination and sex selective abortion
by the medical professionals.

2. Sexual harassment
It is the form of sexual exploitation of a girl child at home, streets, public places,
transports, offices, etc by the family members, neighbors, friends or relatives.

3. Dowry and Bride burning

It is another problem generally faced by women of low or middle class family during
or after the marriage. Parents of boys demand a lot of money from the bride‘s family to be
rich in one time. Groom‘s family perform bride burning in case of lack of fulfilled dowry
demand. In 2005, around 6787 dowry death cases were registered in India according to the
Indian National Crime Bureau reports.

4. Disparity in education
The level of women education is less than men still in the modern age. Female illiteracy
id higher in the rural areas. Where over 63% or more women remain unlettered.

5. Domestic violence
It is like endemic and widespread disease affects almost 70% of Indian women
according to the women and child development official. It is performed by the husband,
relative or other family member.

6. Child Marriages
Early marriage of the girls by their parents in order to be escaped from dowry. It is
highly practiced in the rural India.

7. Inadequate Nutrition
Inadequate nutrition in the childhood affects women in their later life especially women
belonging to the lower middle class and poor families.

8. Low status in the family

It is the abuse or violence against women.

9. Women are considered as inferior to men

So they are not allowed to join military services.

10. Status of widows

Widows are considered as worthless in the Indian society. They are treated poorly and
forced to wear white clothes.

Earlier women were facing problems like child marriage, sati pratha, pardapratha,
restriction to widow remarriage, widows‘ exploitation, devadasi system, etc. However,
almost all the old traditional problems have been disappeared gradually from the society but
given rise to other new issues. Women are continuously facing many problems even after
having self-confidence, individuality, self-respect, personality, capacity, talent, and efficiency
more than men. They are facing problems in their daily life even after they are given equal
rights and opportunities like men by the Constitution of India.

Some of the major problems modern women are still facing mentioned below:

1. Violence against women:

 Women are getting affected by the various violence almost every day which is
disrupting the society. Women are being victims of violence at huge level day by day because
of increasing crimes against women (according to the report of Crime Record Bureau of the
Central Home Ministry). Woman is getting kidnapped at every 44 minutes, raped at every 47
minutes, 17 dowry deaths every day, etc. They may face violence within the family (dowry
related harassment, death, marital rape, wife-battering, sexual abuse, deprivation of healthy
food, female genital mutilation, etc) or outside the family (kidnapping, rape, murder, etc).

2. Gender discrimination
Women are considered as weaker section of the society than men and given less
importance. Girls‘ children are becoming real victims of the discrimination. There are also
discrimination of power and work between men and women because of the patriarchal system
families in India. Gender discrimination affects women in the areas like nutrition, education,
health, care, decline of female population, job, public life, etc.

• Problems of female education Women education percentage is low in India

especially in the rural areas because they are discouraged for higher education like
professional and technical education.
• Problems related to unemployment Women are getting more problems in searching
their suitable work. They become more prone to the exploitation and harassment in the work
areas.
• Boss Intentionally They are given more work and hard tasks by their boss
intentionally. They have to prove their devotion, seriousness and sincerity towards work time
to time.
• Unbearable Conditions Women who are uneducated more prone to divorce and
desertion by their husbands on any stage of life. They have to live whole life with fear of
divorce. In some cases they have to finish their life because of unbearable conditions.
• Increasing Dowry system is another huge women problem in the society which is
increasing day by day. Women are ill-treated, man-handled, disrespected, tortured and suffer
other cruelties (violence, murder and suicide) because of the lack of dowry at the time of
marriage. It causes degradation of women status to a great extent.

ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN

Poverty
Eradication Since women comprise the majority of the population below the poverty line
and are very often in situations of extreme poverty, given the harsh realities of intra-
household and social discrimination, macro-economic policies and poverty eradication
programmes will specifically address the needs and problems of such women. There will be
improved implementation of programmes which are already women oriented with special
targets for women. Steps will be taken for mobilization of poor women and convergence of
services, by offering them a range of economic and social options, along with necessary
support measures to enhance their capabilities. Micro Credit In order to enhance women‘s
access to credit for consumption and production, the establishment of new and strengthening
of existing micro-credit mechanisms and micro-finance institution will be undertaken so that
the outreach of credit is enhanced. Other supportive measures would be taken to ensure
adequate flow of credit through extant financial institutions and banks, so that all women
below poverty line have easy access to credit.

Women and Economy

Women‘s perspectives will be included in designing and implementing macro-economic
and social policies by institutionalizing their participation in such processes. Their
contribution to socio-economic development as producers and workers will be recognized in
the formal and informal sectors (including home based workers) and appropriate policies
relating to employment and to her working conditions will be drawn up. Such measures could
include: Reinterpretation and redefinition of conventional concepts of work wherever
necessary e.g. in the Census records, to reflect women‘s contribution as producers and
workers.

Globalization
Globalization has presented new challenges for the realization of the goal of women‘s
equality, the gender impact of which has not been systematically evaluated fully. However,
from the micro-level studies that were commissioned by the Department of Women & Child
Development, it is evident that there is a need for re-framing policies for access to
employment and quality of employment. Benefits of the growing global economy have been
unevenly distributed leading to wider economic disparities, the feminization of poverty,
increased gender inequality through often deteriorating working conditions and unsafe
working environment especially in the informal economy and rural areas. Strategies will be
designed to enhance the capacity of women and empower them to meet the negative social
and economic impacts, which may flow from the globalization process.

Women and Agriculture

In view of the critical role of women in the agriculture and allied sectors, as producers,
concentrated efforts will be made to ensure that benefits of training, extension and various
programmes will reach them in proportion to their numbers. The programmes for training
women in soil conservation, social forestry, dairy development and other occupations allied
to agriculture like horticulture, livestock including small animal husbandry, poultry, fisheries
etc. will be expanded to benefit women workers in the agriculture sector.
Women and Industry
The important role played by women in electronics, information technology and food
processing and agro industry and textiles has been crucial to the development of these
sectors. They would be given comprehensive support in terms of labour legislation, social
security and other support services to participate in various industrial sectors. Women at
present cannot work in night shift in factories even if they wish to. Suitable measures will be
taken to enable women to work on the night shift in factories. This will be accompanied with
support services for security, transportation etc.

Support Services
The provision of support services for women, like child care facilities, including crèches
at work places and educational institutions, homes for the aged and the disabled will be
expanded and improved to create an enabling environment and to ensure their full
cooperation in social, political and economic life. Women-friendly personnel policies will
also be drawn up to encourage women to participate effectively in the developmental process.

SOCIAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN

Education
Equal access to education for women and girls will be ensured. Special measures will be
taken to eliminate discrimination, universalize education, eradicate illiteracy, create a gender-
sensitive educational system, increase enrolment and retention rates of girls and improve the
quality of education to facilitate life-long learning as well as development of
occupation/vocation/technical skills by women. Reducing the gender gap in secondary and
higher education would be a focus area. Sectorial time targets in existing policies will be
achieved, with a special focus on girls and women, particularly those belonging to weaker
sections including the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes/Other Backward
Classes/Minorities. Gender sensitive curricula would be developed at all levels of educational
system in order to address sex stereotyping as one of the causes of gender discrimination.

Health
A holistic approach to women‘s health which includes both nutrition and health services
will be adopted and special attention will be given to the needs of women and the girl at all
stages of the life cycle. The reduction of infant mortality and maternal mortality, which are
sensitive indicators of human development, is a priority concern. This policy reiterates the
national demographic goals for Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR)
set out in the National Population Policy 2000. Women should have access to comprehensive,
affordable and quality health care. Measures will be adopted that take into account the
reproductive rights of women to enable them to exercise informed choices, their vulnerability
to sexual and health problems together with endemic, infectious and communicable diseases
such as malaria, TB, and water borne diseases as well as hypertension and cardio-pulmonary
diseases. The social, developmental and health consequences of HIV/AIDS and other
sexually transmitted diseases will be tackled from a gender perspective. To effectively meet
problems of infant and maternal mortality, and early marriage the availability of good and
accurate data at micro level on deaths, birth and marriages is required. Strict implementation
of registration of births and deaths would be ensured and registration of marriages would be
made compulsory.

In accordance with the commitment of the National Population Policy (2000) to

population stabilization, this Policy recognizes the critical need of men and women to have
access to safe, effective and affordable methods of family planning of their choice and the
need to suitably address the issues of early marriages and spacing of children. Interventions
such as spread of education, compulsory registration of marriage and special programmes
like BSY should impact on delaying the age of marriage so that by 2010 child marriages are
eliminated. Women‘s traditional knowledge about health care and nutrition will be
recognized through proper documentation and its use will be encouraged. The use of Indian
and alternative systems of medicine will be enhanced within the framework of overall health
infrastructure available for women.

Nutrition
In view of the high risk of malnutrition and disease that women face at all the three
critical stages viz., infancy and childhood, adolescent and reproductive phase, focused
attention would be paid to meeting the nutritional needs of women at all stages of the life
cycle. This is also important in view of the critical link between the health of adolescent girls,
pregnant and lactating women with the health of infant and young children. Special efforts
will be made to tackle the problem of macro and micro nutrient deficiencies especially
amongst pregnant and lactating women as it leads to various diseases and disabilities. Intra-
household discrimination in nutritional matters vis-à-vis girls and women will be sought to be
ended through appropriate strategies. Widespread use of nutrition education would be made
to address the issues of intra-household imbalances in nutrition and the special needs of
pregnant and lactating women. Women‘s participation will also be ensured in the planning,
superintendence and delivery of the system.

Drinking Water and Sanitation

Special attention will be given to the needs of women in the provision of safe drinking
water, sewage disposal, toilet facilities and sanitation within accessible reach of households,
especially in rural areas and urban slums. Women‘s participation will be ensured in the
planning, delivery and maintenance of such services.
Housing and Shelter
Women‘s perspectives will be included in housing policies, planning of housing colonies
and provision of shelter both in rural and urban areas. Special attention will be given for
providing adequate and safe housing and accommodation for women including single
women, heads of households, working women, students, apprentices and trainees.

Environment
Women will be involved and their perspectives reflected in the policies and programmer
for environment, conservation and restoration. Considering the impact of environmental
factors on their livelihoods, women‘s participation will be ensured in the conservation of the
environment and control of environmental degradation. The vast majority of rural women
still depends on the locally available non-commercial sources of energy such as animal dung,
crop waste and fuel wood. In order to ensure the efficient use of these energy resources in an
environmental friendly manner, the Policy will aim at promoting the programmes of non-
conventional energy resources. Women will be involved in spreading the use of solar energy,
biogas, smokeless chulahs and other rural application so as to have a visible impact of these
measures in influencing eco system and in changing the life styles of rural women.

Science and Technology

Programmes will be strengthened to bring about a greater involvement of women in
science and technology. These will include measures to motivate girls to take up science and
technology for higher education and also ensure that development projects with scientific and
technical inputs involve women fully. Efforts to develop a scientific temper and awareness
will also be stepped up. Special measures would be taken for their training in areas where
they have special skills like communication and information technology. Efforts to develop
appropriate technologies suited to women‘s needs as well as to reduce their drudgery will be
given a special focus too.

Women in Difficult Circumstances

In recognition of the diversity of women‘s situations and in acknowledgement of the
needs of specially disadvantaged groups, measures and programmes will be undertaken to
provide them with special assistance. These groups include women in extreme poverty,
destitute women, women in conflict situations, women affected by natural calamities, women
in less developed regions, the disabled widows, elderly women, single women in difficult
circumstances, women heading households, those displaced from employment, migrants,
women who are victims of marital violence, deserted women and prostitutes etc.

Violence against women

All forms of violence against women, physical and mental, whether at domestic or
societal levels, including those arising from customs, traditions or accepted practices shall be
dealt with effectively with a view to eliminate its incidence. Institutions and
mechanisms/schemes for assistance will be created and strengthened for prevention of such
violence, including sexual harassment at work place and customs like dowry; for the
rehabilitation of the victims of violence and for taking effective action against the
perpetrators of such violence. A special emphasis will also be laid on programmes and
measures to deal with trafficking in women and girls.

Rights of the Girl Child

All forms of discrimination against the girl child and violation of her rights shall be
eliminated by undertaking strong measures both preventive and punitive within and outside
the family. These would relate specifically to strict enforcement of laws against prenatal sex
selection and the practices of female feticide, female infanticide, child marriage, child abuse
and child prostitution etc. Removal of discrimination in the treatment of the girl child within
the family and outside and projection of a positive image of the girl child will be actively
fostered. There will be special emphasis on the needs of the girl child and earmarking of
substantial investments in the areas relating to food and nutrition, health and education, and
in vocational education. In implementing programmes for eliminating child labour, there will
be a special focus on girl children.

Mass Media
Media will be used to portray images consistent with human dignity of girls and women.
The Policy will specifically strive to remove demeaning, degrading and negative
conventional stereotypical images of women and violence against women. Private sector
partners and media networks will be involved at all levels to ensure equal access for women
particularly in the area of information and communication technologies. The media would be
encouraged to develop codes of conduct, professional guidelines and other self-regulatory
mechanisms to remove gender stereotypes and promote balanced portrayals of women and
men.

Institutional Mechanisms
Institutional mechanisms, to promote the advancement of women, which exist at the
Central and State levels, will be strengthened. These will be through interventions as may be
appropriate and will relate to, among others, provision of adequate resources, training and
advocacy skills to effectively influence macro-policies, legislation, programmes etc. to
achieve the empowerment of women.

National and State Councils will be formed to oversee the operationalization of the
Policy on a regular basis. The National Council will be headed by the Prime Minister and the
State Councils by the Chief Ministers and be broad in composition having representatives
from the concerned Departments/Ministries, National and State Commissions for Women,
Social Welfare Boards, representatives of Non-Government Organizations, Women‘s
Organisations, Corporate Sector, Trade Unions, financing institutions, academics, experts and
social activists etc. These bodies will review the progress made in implementing the Policy
twice a year. The National Development Council will also be informed of the progress of the
programme undertaken under the policy from time to time for advice and comments. National
and State Resource Centres on women will be established with mandates for collection and
dissemination of information, undertaking research work, conducting surveys, implementing
training and awareness generation programmes, etc. These Centers will link up with
Women‘s Studies Centres and other research and academic institutions through suitable
information networking systems. While institutions at the district level will be strengthened,
at the grass-roots, women will be helped by Government through its programmes to organize
and strengthen into Self-Help Groups (SHGs) at the Anganwadi/Village/Town level. The
women‘s groups will be helped to institutionalize themselves into registered societies and to
federate at the Panchyat/Municipal level. These societies will bring about synergistic
implementation of all the social and economic development programmes by drawing
resources made available through Government and NonGovernment channels, including
banks and financial institutions and by establishing a close Interface with the Panchayats/
Municipalities.

Resource Management
Availability of adequate financial, human and market resources to implement the Policy
will be managed by concerned Departments, financial credit institutions and banks, private
sector, civil society and other connected institutions.
This process will include:
1. Assessment of benefits is flowing to women and resource allocation to the programmes
relating to them through an exercise of gender budgeting. Appropriate changes in policies
will be made to optimize benefits to women under these schemes;

2. Adequate resource allocation to develop and promote the policy outlined earlier based on
(a) above by concerned Departments.

3. Developing synergy between personnel of Health, Rural Development, Education and

Women & Child Development Department at field level and other village level functionaries‘

4. Meeting credit needs by banks and financial credit institutions through suitable policy
initiatives and development of new institutions in coordination with the Department of
Women & Child Development.

The strategy of Women‘s Component Plan adopted in the Ninth Plan of ensuring that not
less than 30% of benefits/funds flow to women from all Ministries and Departments will be
implemented effectively so that the needs and interests of women and girls are addressed by
all concerned sectors. The Department of Women and Child Development being the nodal
Ministry will monitor and review the progress of the implementation of the Component Plan
from time to time, in terms of both quality and quantity in collaboration with the Planning
Commission. Efforts will be made to channelize private sector investments too, to support
programmes and projects for advancement of women.

Legislation
The existing legislative structure will be reviewed and additional legislative measures
taken by identified departments to implement the Policy. This will also involve a review of
all existing laws including personal, customary and tribal laws, subordinate legislation, and
related rules as well as executive and administrative regulations to eliminate all gender
discriminatory references. The process will be planned over a time period 2000-2003. The
specific measures required would be evolved through a consultation process involving civil
society, National Commission for Women and Department of Women and Child
Development. In appropriate cases the consultation process would be widened to include
other stakeholders too. Effective implementation of legislation would be promoted by
involving civil society and community. Appropriate changes in legislation will be
undertaken, if necessary. In addition, following other specific measures will be taken to
implement the legislation effectively.

• Strict enforcement of all relevant legal provisions and speedy redressal of grievances will
be ensured, with a special focus on violence and gender related atrocities.

• Measures to prevent and punish sexual harassment at the place of work, protection for
women workers in the organized/ unorganized sector and strict enforcement of relevant laws
such as Equal Remuneration Act and Minimum Wages Act will be undertaken,

• Crimes against women, their incidence, prevention, investigation, detection and prosecution
will be regularly reviewed at all Crime Review for a and Conferences at the Central, State
and District levels. Recognized, local, voluntary organizations will be authorized to lodge
Complaints and facilitate registration, investigations and legal proceedings related to violence
and atrocities against girls and women.

• Women‘s Cells in Police Stations, Encourage Women Police Stations Family Courts,
Mahila Courts, Counseling Centers, Legal Aid Centers and Nyaya Panchayats will be
strengthened and expanded to eliminate violence and atrocities against women.

• Widespread dissemination of information on all aspects of legal rights, human rights and
other entitlements of women, through specially designed legal literacy programmes and rights
information programmes will be done.
Gender Sensitization
Training of personnel of executive, legislative and judicial wings of the State, with a
special focus on policy and programme framers, implementation and development agencies,
law enforcement machinery and the judiciary, as well as non-governmental organizations will
be undertaken. Other measures will include:

1. Promoting societal awareness to gender issues and women‘s human rights.

2. Review of curriculum and educational materials to include gender education and human
rights issues

3. Removal of all references derogatory to the dignity of women from all public documents
and legal instruments.

4. Use of different forms of mass media to communicate social messages relating to women‘s
equality and empowerment.

Panchayati Raj Institutions

The 73rd and 74th Amendments (1993) to the Indian Constitution have served as a
breakthrough towards ensuring equal access and increased participation in political power
structure for women. The PRIs will play a central role in the process of enhancing women‘s
participation in public life. The PRIs and the local self-Governments will be actively involved
in the implementation and execution of the National Policy for Women at the grassroots
level.

Partnership with the voluntary sector organizations

The involvement of voluntary organizations, associations, federations, trade unions,
nongovernmental organizations, women‘s organizations, as well as institutions dealing with
education, training and research will be ensured in the formulation, implementation,
monitoring and review of all policies and programmes affecting women. Towards this end,
they will be provided with appropriate support related to resources and capacity building and
facilitated to participate actively in the process of the empowerment of women.

International Cooperation
The Policy will aim at implementation of international obligations/commitments in all
sectors on empowerment of women such as the Convention on All Forms of Discrimination
Against Women (CEDAW), Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), International
Conference on Population and Development (ICPD+5) and other such instruments.
International, regional and sub-regional cooperation towards the empowerment of women
will continue to be encouraged through sharing of experiences, exchange of ideas and
technology, networking with institutions and organizations and through bilateral and multi-
lateral partnerships.