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Empowerment of Women

Women

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15 views4 pages

Empowerment of Women

Women

Uploaded by

6jdxgw68w2
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN

It is assumed that the empowerment of women can only bring


dignity and security in the life of women. Women's participation
in self government (Panchayati Raj) encompasses structural
changes in the rural socio-economic situation in order to achieve
the prosperity and welfare, which is the ultimate goal of all
development.
Panchayati Raj is the best system for empowering women. It is the
lowest unit of local government and its efficient working, clean
image and activism can be the basis of good governance.
The issue of women empowerment after India's independence
became important to the every Indian. Constitutionally equal
provisions were made to both the sexes. Our constitution provided
equal rights and opportunities of socioeconomic development and
betterment of living for men and women.
However, despite the various provisions made under constitution
and outside of our constitution, the real welfare, upliftment and
empowerment of women remained far from reality.
The objective to bring improvement in the socio-economic
conditions of women could be successful only by taking suitable
initiatives and remedial measures for empowering them.
Women cannot be empowered unless they are provided proper
representation in the political system. With the objective of
maximizing the participation of women in public mainstream,
political system and decision-making process changes are
incorporated in the Panchayati Raj System.
Participation of women in Panchayati Raj Institutions is
considered essential for enabling them to participate effectively
and independently in development and political processes and to
influence the decision-making process.
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, which empowers women
and seeks to bring improvements in the socio-economic conditions
of women, came into effect on April 23, 1993 and made a
provision of 33 percent reservation of seats to women in Panchayti
Raj Institutions.
The 73rd Amendment is a landmark in the history of women's
development as it is a revolutionary step towards participation of
women in decision-making process especially at the grass-roots
level.
The Act is meaningful because it is the first time in Indian history
that women have been given reservation at grassroots level
democratic institutions. It has created a silent revolution in the
country. No doubt, the reservation itself can only be regarded as
the first step in this direction. It is necessary to create proper
social, economic and also political conditions to enable women to
participate effectively in the local governmental institutions.

After the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment, many


'household women' have become 'political women'. As
Chairperson or ordinary members, these women are expected to
play constitutionally mandated roles.
The one-third reservation for women in Panchayati Raj
Institutions is based on the view of empowerment of women in all
spheres (like social, economic, political) by providing them
opportunity to participate in the administration of local
government.
Women's entry into panchayats both as members as well as heads
of panchayats after the implementation of 73rd Constitutional
Amendment Act, has pushed them into the decision-making
process in a very big way. Whether, their husbands, fathers,
brother or other relatives compelled them to take up these roles or
whether they assumed these roles as dummy incumbents, one
thing is certain, they have, once and for all crossed the rigid
boundaries drawn through their households by the male relatives.
This has transformed their lives in tremendous manner, giving
them a taste of freeedom, confidence and exposure to the outside
world. Political participation and freedom are considered as
fundamental parts of human development.
Thus, participation in grassroots organization can give people
experience in democracy and empower them, which in turn, could
be a foundation for democratic life in the society as a whole.
Women's participation in political process is essential to the
strengthening of democratic tradition and to their struggle against
opposition. Political activities for women as for the other
underprivileged groups are integral.
Empowerment of women gives women the capacity to influence
decision-making process, planning, implementation and
evaluation by integrating them into the political system. This
implies political participation which includes the right to vote,
contest, campaign, party membership association with voluntary
organizations, representation in political offices at all levels and
effectively influencing the decision making process thereby
leading to political empowerment.
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