Social, political and economic empowerment of women in our society

India is known for a humanism and decent culture. It shall be the duty of every citizens of India to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women.

Women shall live with dignity and contributing as equal partners in development of the Nation. We should promote social and economic empowerment of women.We need to improve the status of women and worked for their economic empowerment.

Women face many political, socio-economic, ideological and psychological obstacles. We need to remove these obstacles for their equal participation in all Spheres of Life.

No doubt that there is a bright future that awaits for women.Women Empowerment & Protection is a primary function and responsibility for Government and People.We the people shall ensure that the elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women.

Women constitute 48% of India's population, but they lag behind men on many social indicators like health, education, economic opportunities and economic inclusion etc. Thus we need to focus on Gender base budget allocations is may be essential!,It is Mandate for Gender Budgeting in India!

Women's Empowerment and Gender
Equity are taking care by the following
Government agencies

1. Ministry of Women and child Development
2. National Commission for Women.
3. RashtriyaMahilaKosh (RMK) (National
Credit Fund for Women)
4. Government Authorities and Boards
5. Government Programmes and Activities
National Commission for Women

A BRIEF HISTORY
The Committee on the Status of Women in India (CSWI) recommended nearly two decades ago, the setting up of a National Commission for women to fulfil the surveillance functions to facilitate redressall of grievances and to accelerate the socio-economic development of women.

Successive Committees / Commissions / Plans including the National Perspective Plan for Women (1988-2000) recommended the constitution of an apex body for women.

During 1990, the central government held consultations with NGOs, social workers and experts, regarding the structure, functions, powers etc.of the Commission proposed to be set up.

In May 1990, the Bill was introduced in the LokSabha.

In July 1990, the HRD Ministry organized a National Level Conference to elicit suggestions regarding the Bill. In August 1990 the government moved several amendments and introduced new provisions to vest the commission with the power of a civil court.

The Bill was passed and received accent of the President on 30th August 1990.
The National Commission for Women was set up as statutory body in January 1992 under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990 (Act No. 20 of 1990 of Govt.of India).

The First Commission was constituted on 31st January 1992 with Mrs.JayantiPatnaik as the Chairperson.The NCW (National Commission for Women)focus that

1. To review the Constitutional and Legal
safeguards for women
2. To recommend remedial legislative measures
3. To facilitate redressal of grievances and
4. To advise the Government on all policy
matters affecting women.

RashtriyaMahilaKosh (RMK) (National Credit Fund for Women)
RashtriyaMahilaKosh (RMK), established in 1993 is a national level organization as an autonomous body under the aegis of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, for socio-economic empowerment of women.

Vision: To be a financial service and capacity enhancement institution for social and economic empowerment of poor and marginalized women

Mission: To be a single window facilitator for provision of financial services with backward and forward linkages for women in the unorganized sector through Intermediary Micro Finance Organizations (IMOs) and Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) and to augment their capacities through multi-pronged efforts.

Aims & Objectives:
1. Socio-economic empowerment through multi-pronged effort
2. Providing micro-credit facilities.
3. Capacity building of IMOs and women beneficiaries
4. To promote or undertake activities for the promotion of or to provide credit as an instrument of socio- economic change and development through the provision of a package of financial and social development services for the development of women.
5. To promote and support schemes for improvement of facilities for credit for women financial inclusion.

Constitutional and Legal Provisions
1. Article 15 – The State shall not discriminate against any citizen …. Nothing in this article prevents theState from making any special provision for women and children.

2. Article 15(1) – Prohibits discrimination against any citizen on the grounds of religion, race, caste, sexetc.

3. Article 15(3)– Special provision enabling the State to make affirmative discriminations in favour ofwomen.

4. Article 39(a) – The State shall direct its policy towards securing all citizens men and women, equally,the right to means of livelihood.

5. Article 39(d) – Equal pay for equal work for both men and women.

6. Article 39(e) enjoins the State to ensure that the health and strength of workers, men and women and thetender age of children are not abused and that the citizens are not forced by economic necessity to enteravocations unsuited to their age or strength.

7. Article 42 – The State to make provision for ensuring just and humane conditions of work and maternityrelief.

8. Article 51 (A)(e) – To renounce the practices derogatory to the dignity of women.

Laws related to women
I Legal Practioners (Women) Act, 1923
I Maternity Benefit Act, 1961
I Equal Remuneration Act, 1976
I Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961
I Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act, 1994 (PNDT) amended in year 2003
I Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006
I Crimes identified under IPC
I Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956
I Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961
I Indecent Representation of Women
(Prohibition) Act, 1986
I Commission of Sati ( Prevention) Act, 1987
I Protection of Women from Domestic
Violence Act, 2005
I Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition &Redressal) Act, 2013

Recent 2017 News:
National Women’s Parliament (NWP)
National Women’s Parliament (NWP) is a common national platform for women’s inclusion for building the Nation.

In nutshell it is a common platform to share knowledge and experience to encourage women endeavour and empowerment in the society.It is a three-day national conclave was held at Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh in Feb -2017.

It is the 1st of its kind conclave in India organized by Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly in association with MAEER’s MIT School of Government, Pune.

It facilitate an interaction between women from diverse backgrounds like politics, social sector, education, sports, industry, media, cinema, arts & culture, judiciary and young aspiring students all the women legislators and parliamentarians of India for Nation building.

- The writer is Director Sadhguru
IAS Academy, Ameerpet, Hyderabad