Women in india
Dr.Sanaa Naziri
Introduction
Being a man or a woman has a significant impact
on health, as a result of both biological and
gender-related differences. The health of women
and girls is of particular concern because, in
many societies, they are disadvantaged by
discrimination rooted in sociocultural factors.
While poverty is an important barrier to positive
health outcomes for both men and women,
poverty tends to yield a higher burden on women
and girls’ health due to, for example, feeding
practices (malnutrition) and use of unsafe
cooking fuels (COPD).
Some of the sociocultural factors that prevent
women and girls to benefit from quality
health services and attaining the best
possible level of health include:
unequal power relationships between men
and women;
social norms that decrease education and
paid employment opportunities;
an exclusive focus on women’s reproductive
roles; and
potential or actual experience of physical,
sexual and emotional violence.
Gender equality and women empowerment have been
on the top of the agenda globally.
Achieving gender equality and empowering all women
and girls has been mentioned by the United Nations in
its Sustainable Development Goal (SDG-5) as a target.
Various efforts and initiatives have been taken at global,
regional and local level to eliminate gender inequality.
Women in India have been stereotyped and
discriminated since ancient times due to the patriarchal
mindset.
Social evils such as sati, female foeticide, female
infanticide, dowry, domestic violence have been faced by
women.
Various constitutional and legal provisions have been
framed to eliminate such evils.
In contemporary times, women have become
sensitised about their rights and have come a
long way in terms of women empowerment.
Various schemes have been launched by
central and state governments for
emancipation of women. However, the
patriarchal mind set still exists
Gender biasness is still experienced by
women both in public and private space. The
paper attempts to analyse the level of women
empowerment in different states of India.
It has been found in the study that female literacy has
a positive bearing on the health and decision-making of
females.
Also, government support in the from of infrastructure
and schemes act as a catalyst in women empowerment.
Women-centric organisations and Self Help
organisations have promoted economic empowerment
and decision-making of females.
1. Female literacy and education positively impact the
health, age at marriage and decision making of
females.
2. States having government support in form of various
schemes and infrastructure (education and health)
such as Goa, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Sikkim fare
better in terms of women empowerment.
Government schemes for
women
Beti bachao beti padhao
The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme was
launched on January 22, 2015, by the Prime
Minister of India in Haryana.
This government scheme for women aims to
ensure the survival, protection, and education
of girl children by addressing the declining
sex ratio, creating social awareness, and
enhancing the efficiency of welfare services
developed for girls.
Who Are the Beneficiaries of
This Scheme?
The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme is applicable
to the whole country. However, to ensure maximum
reach, this scheme is divided into 3 groups. These
are -
Primary Group (young and married couples,
pregnant mothers and parents)
Secondary Groups (the youth of India, adolescents,
in-laws, doctors, private hospitals, nursing homes,
diagnostic centres)
Tertiary Groups (general people of the country,
religious leaders, voluntary organisations, frontline
workers, officials, media and women SHGs Sector)
What Is the Eligibility Criteria to
Avail the Benefits of This Scheme?
A family with a girl child (Indian) below 10
years of age is eligible.
A family with a girl child must have a
Sukanya Samriddhi Account (SSA) opened in
any nationalised bank.
Working Women Hostel
To promote safe accommodation and
environment for working women and provide
daycare facilities for their children, the
Government of India has introduced the
‘Working Women Hostel Scheme’. Through
this women empowerment scheme, the
Government provides grant-in-aid for
construction and new hostel buildings and
extension of an existing building in rented
premises.
Who Are the Beneficiaries of
This Scheme?
Working Women (single, widowed, married,
divorced, separated).
This scheme provides a particular preference
for working women belonging to the
disadvantaged sections of society.
The Scheme guidelines also provide for the
reservation of seats for physically challenged
beneficiaries
What Is the Eligibility Criteria to
Avail the Benefits of This Scheme?
Working women whose husband or immediate
family does not reside in the same city/area.
Women undertaking training (not exceeding
one year) for a job
The consolidated gross income per month
should not cross the limit of ₹50,000 in the
metropolitan city and ₹35,000 in other cities.
One Stop Centre Scheme
Next in the list of women empowerment
schemes in India comes One Stop Centre
Scheme. It is a centrally sponsored scheme
and is funded through the Nirbhaya fund. State
governments receive 100% central assistance
to protect women affected by violence (gender-
based such as acid attacks, rape, and sexual
harassment) in public and private spaces. This
scheme facilitates emergency (medical), legal
aid and counselling, non-emergency services
under one roof to combat all forms of violence
against women.
Who Are the Beneficiaries of
This Scheme?
All women affected by violence, irrespective
of class, caste, region, religion, marital status
or sexual orientation, can get benefits under
the One Stop Centre Scheme.
What Is the Eligibility Criteria
to Avail the Benefits of This
Scheme?
All women, including girls aged below 18.
Women Helpline Scheme
Women Helpline Scheme is one of the government
schemes for women empowerment that intends to
give 24x7 emergency responses to women affected
by violence in private or public spaces. The
universalisation of women helpline numbers has
been done in every State and Union Territory
through a single toll-free number (181) that
provides immediate support to women nationwide.
Further, this scheme creates awareness about
women empowerment schemes and programs.
Who Are the Beneficiaries of
This Scheme?
Any women or girls facing violence or willing
to know about various women related
schemes or programs
Mahila E-Haat
Mahila E-Haat is an initiative launched by the Ministry of
Women and Child Development. It is one of the women
empowerment schemes in India which provides an
opportunity for women entrepreneurs for using technology
and presents their products (made/manufactured/sold) on an
online platform.
With only mobile and internet connections, women
entrepreneurs can showcase their products along with
descriptions and photographs. Here, buyers can also reach
sellers telephonically, physically, through email or any other
medium. The list of products may include clothing, fashion
accessories, pottery, boxes, home décor, toys and many other
things. This initiative supports the ‘Make in India’ program
through an online platform.
Who Are the Beneficiaries of
This Scheme?
Women entrepreneurs, women self-help
groups (SHG), NGOs
Which Sector Does This Scheme Target?
Women and Child Development
What Is the Eligibility Criteria
to Avail the Benefits of This
Scheme?
Women entrepreneurs must be Indian
citizens.
Products sold must be legal.
Mahila Police Volunteers
The Ministry of Women and Child
Development, along with Home Affairs,
launched the Mahila Police Volunteers
scheme in all States and Union Territories.
This central government-sponsored scheme
aims to create a link between police
authorities and local communities to ensure
police outreach on crime cases. This scheme
works to create a safe woman-friendly
environment and encourages women to join
the police force.
Who Are the Beneficiaries
of This Scheme?
Indian women
What Is the Eligibility Criteria to
Avail the Benefits of This Scheme?
Women applicants’ age must be 21 years.
Women applicants must have a 12th-grade
certificate.
She should belong to the same geographical
area (where she is applying for the scheme)
and must know the local language.
She should not have any criminal record.
She should not be a member of any political
party.
STEP (Support to Training and
Employment Program for Women)
One of the most effective women
empowerment schemes in India is STEP
(Support to Training and Employment
Program for Women). It was introduced to
provide training in skill development and to
assure employment to women. This
government-backed scheme offers grants to
institutions and organisations to conduct the
training programme.
Who Are the Beneficiaries of
This Scheme?
Marginalised (with special focus on SC/ST
households, women-headed households and
families below the poverty line), asset-less
rural women and urban poor.
What Is the Eligibility Criteria to
Avail the Benefits of This Scheme?
Women of 16 years of age or above
Institutions or organisations registered under
the Societies Registration Act, 1860/ Indian
Trusts Act, 1882 (Not for Profit)/ other
statutes.
Non-government organisations/voluntary
organisations registered under the Societies
Registration Act or Indian Trust Act.
Co-operative societies are registered under
the Co-operative Societies Act.
SWADHAR Greh
SWADHAR Greh, one of the
Government schemes for women's
empowerment in India, aims to provide
shelter, food, clothing, social, economic and
health security. This scheme provides legal
assistance to women and helps them take
initiative for readjusting in societies.
Who Are the Beneficiaries of
This Scheme?
Women who are deserted and do not have any
economic and social support.
Homeless women (who survived natural
calamity but do not have economic support)
Women prisoners (released but do not have a
family)
Trafficked women or girls rescued or escaped
from a brothel
Women suffering from AIDs, HIV
What Is the Eligibility Criteria to
Avail the Benefits of This Scheme?
Women aged 18 years or above
Mahila Shakti Kendras (MSK)
Another popular women empowerment
scheme in India is Mahila Shakti Kendra. It
aims to provide one-stop convergent support
services to women to develop skills, generate
employment opportunities, and increase
digital literacy. This scheme is operational at
multiple levels, such as national level, state
level, and district level. The Government
intends to cover the 115 most backward
districts by establishing 920 Mahila Shakti
Kendras.
Who Are the Beneficiaries of
This Scheme?
Rural women
What Is the Eligibility Criteria
to Avail the Benefits of This
Scheme?
Women must be a resident of India.
Rajiv Gandhi National Creche
Scheme
The Government has introduced National
Creche Scheme for the children of a working
mother. This scheme provides daycare
facilities to the children and guarantees to
improve the health and nutrition status of
children. Further, this women empowerment
yojana promotes physical, social, and holistic
development of children and educates
parents to enhance childcare methods or
techniques.
Who Are the Beneficiaries of
This Scheme?
Children of working women.
Which Sector Does This Scheme Target?
Women and Child Development
What Is the Eligibility Criteria to
Avail the Benefits of This Scheme?
Children aged between 6 months to 6 years.
Working women of both rural and urban
areas must be employed for at least 15 days
in a month or 6 months in a year
Benefits of Women
Empowerment Schemes in India
The introduction of various women
empowerment schemes in India has benefited
women in multiple ways. These are -
Women have been able to gain social security.
They can gain advanced training related to
skill development and others and increase
earning opportunities.
Women can address their issues more freely
and quickly with the government or local
concerning authorities.
Working mothers can now ensure proper care
of their children by keeping their children at
daycare facilities. Thus, they need not
compromise their jobs/careers for family.
They can ensure dignified living (at
government hostels) away from home.
Now that you know about various
government-backed women empowerment
schemes in India and their benefits, apply for
any of them (as per your requirement) and
establish yourself as an educated and
empowered woman in society.
Women centric organisations and Self-Help
Groups have played a crucial role in women’s
emancipation by empowering them
economically and raising awareness.
Southern states such as Tamil Nadu,
Karnataka, Telangana and Kerala have
presence of SHGs due to which they have a
better performance in terms of women
empowerment.
States with more population such as Uttar
Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal have more
women representation due to higher
allocation of seats in LokSabha.
The ‘BIMARU’ states that is Bihar, Madhya
Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh perform
poorly in women empowerment index.
These states have very poor record in
developmental, social and demographic
parameters thus adversely impacting the
women empowerment.
The North- Eastern states though having better
status of women in terms of absence of social
evils of mainstream Indian society often suffer
from poverty, armed conflicts, superstitions and
resistance to adoption of modern methods of
healthcare and family planning.
