The article "Where do we stand in empowering women in India?" of Jaipur based educator-researcher Dr. Lalit kishore [1] at local Disha Foundation dedicated to research and education of children with multiple disabilities was published earlier at merinews [1] which has been closed down, it is being reproduced here for access and dissemination.
The article (published on Mon, Mar 02, 2009 20:42:55 IST) was viewed by 3326 visitors to the portal and received 11 positive comments and the editors rated the post high quality at 4.2 / 5 votes
The article goes as follows
"In India, gender disparity manifests itself in various forms as is evident by declining sex ratio in the population, social stereotyping and violence against women at the domestic and societal levels. Discrimination against girl children, adolescent girls and women persists in education, health and development in many parts of the country.
The principle of gender equality is enshrined in the Indian Constitution in its preamble, fundamental rights, fundamental duties and directive principles. The Constitution not only grants equality to women, but also empowers the State to adopt measures of positive discrimination in favour of women.
Some of the steps taken for by the GoI for women empowerment are:
• From the Fifth Five Year Plan (1974-78) onwards there has been a marked shift in the approach to women’s issues from welfare to development.
• The national commission for women (NCW) was set up by an Act of the Parliament in 1990 to safeguard the rights and legal entitlements of women.
• The 73rd and 74th Amendments (1993) to the Constitution of India have provided for reservation of seats in the local bodies of panchayats and municipalities for women, laying a strong foundation for their participation in decision making at the local levels.
• National policy for the empowerment of women (2001) spelled out.
Furthermore, India has also ratified various international conventions and human rights instruments committing to secure equal rights of women. Key among these is the ratification of the convention on elimination of all forms of discrimination against women (CEDAW), in 1993.
However, there still exists a wide gap between the goals enunciated in the Constitution, legislation, policies, plans, programmes, and related mechanisms on the one hand and the situational reality of the status of women in India, on the other.
The underlying causes of gender inequality are related to social and economic structure. 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.
In India, gender disparity manifests itself in various forms as is evident by declining sex ratio in the population, social stereotyping and violence against women at the domestic and societal levels. Discrimination against girl children, adolescent girls and women persists in education, health and development in many parts of the country.
The principle of gender equality is enshrined in the Indian Constitution in its Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties and Directive Principles. The Constitution not only grants equality to women, but also empowers the State to adopt measures of positive discrimination in favour of women.
Some of the steps taken for by the GOI for women empowerment are as follows.
• From the Fifth Five Year Plan (1974-78) onwards has been a marked shift in the approach to women’s issues from welfare to development.
• The National Commission for Women was set up by an Act of Parliament in 1990 to safeguard the rights and legal entitlements of women.
• The 73rd and 74th Amendments (1993) to the Constitution of India have provided for reservation of seats in the local bodies of Panchayats and Municipalities for women, laying a strong foundation for their participation in decision making at the local levels.
• National policy for the empowerment of women (2001) spelled out.
Furthermore, India has also ratified various international conventions and human rights instruments committing to secure equal rights of women. Key among them is the ratification of the Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in 1993.
However, there still exists a wide gap between the goals enunciated in the Constitution, legislation, policies, plans, programmes, and related mechanisms on the one hand and the situational reality of the status of women in India, on the other.
The underlying causes of gender inequality are related to social and economic structure.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."
[1] Kishore, L. (2009). Where do we stand in empowering women in India? merinews, Mar 02
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