Women Empowerment – Making It Work
The speculation is that the upcoming special session of the Indian Parliament will bring forth the speculated Bill mandating 33% reservation for women in legislative representation.
Greater representation of women in legislative roles can facilitate improved access to education, employment, entrepreneurship, and financial resources, while also serving as a source of inspiration for women to pursue careers, manage their finances, and actively participate in economic endeavours. This positive feedback loop of representation has the potential to significantly enhance their financial empowerment and overall economic prosperity on a broader scale.
Many would argue that Indian women have attained the “equality goal”: women hold high roles in our society, they can vote, own property, and have the same jobs as men with all of this backed by the laws of the land. One should however recognise that women-empowerment remains a complex and often elusive target requiring a complex reorientation of societal norms, psychological changes and independence of decision making on the part of women. Where the laws and regulations aim for women equality, the change from ‘within’ is yet to be achieved. Yet, each policy initiative works in the direction of the change form ‘within’.
The journey toward achieving gender equality in India commenced with the framing of the Indian Constitution, which, from the time of independence, upheld the principle of gender equality. This commitment was evident in various aspects of the Constitution, including its Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties, and Directive Principles. To further strengthen the pursuit of gender equality and address deeply rooted social issues, India adopted positive discrimination measures, achieving significant milestones in safeguarding women's rights, both within their homes and workplaces.
A wide range of legislation were dedicated to women's welfare, including but not limited to, the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act of 1956, the amended Dowry Prohibition Act of 1986, the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act of 2005, the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act of 2013, and the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act of 1986. Additionally, there are Acts such as the Equal Remuneration Act of 1976, which ensures that men and women receive equal pay for equal work, addressing sex-based discrimination in employment. The Maternity Benefit Act of 1961 provides essential job security and wage protection to women during the crucial periods before and after pregnancy.
True gender equality however blossoms when women can exercise their independence in decision-making and attain financial self-sufficiency. The daily dilemmas women face, such as deciding whether to pursue their rights or navigate economic constraints, underscore the importance of self-strength and autonomy. Over the past decade, Indian policies have shown a proactive commitment to women’s empowerment, particularly in the realms of financial independence and awareness. These efforts have translated into tangible improvements in the daily lives of women across the country.
One such stride was the subsidisation and wider distribution of cooking gas cylinders through the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana which alleviated the burden of time-consuming traditional cooking methods and also improved their health by reducing exposure to indoor air pollution. Similarly, the concession granted to women as home buyers has boosted their roles within households. Other initiatives that boost improvement in the status of women thereby affording her greater freedom of mapping a future for herself away from the drudgery of routine are the provision of tap water supply and improved sanitation facilities under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
More significantly, the government's drive to promote financial inclusion has been instrumental in giving a boost to empowering women. Initiatives such as Jan Dhan Yojana have facilitated access to bank accounts, enabling women to manage their finances independently. Current data indicates that of the 50 crore Jan Dhan accounts, 55.5% are of women. Rs. 202,971.75 Crore is the balance in beneficiary accounts and since DBT transfers are in these accounts, it leads to the possible conclusion that with women being more committed savers than men they can be better decision makers within the household having the potential access to education and employment and eventual equality. In fact a study in 2019 concluded that women in rural areas have limited access to formal financial institutions, which makes them rely on informal sources for their financial needs. They save more than they invest and prefer to keep their savings in cash or gold. The Jan Dhan accounts have brought formal financial systems to the doorstep of rural women in particular. Financial investment schemes for women, such as the Sukanya Samridhi Yojana and the more recent Mahila Samman Savings Certificate are easily available options that inculcate a culture of savings linked to visits to the bank, familiarisation with the banking processes and increased mental and psychological independence.
At another level, the paradox of being financially wealthy and yet not being treated equal can be found within the confines of many large wealthy families across various communities in India. Despite accumulating vast wealth and modernising their businesses, patriarchal mindsets continue to deny women access to business ownership, executive roles, or even basic business-rights within their family-owned enterprises. This discrepancy between economic prosperity and gender discrimination highlights a deeply rooted societal-bias that legal provisions alone cannot erase. Despite advancements in education, economic prosperity, and exposure to global perspectives through travel, the persistence of gender bias remains a significant obstacle, restricting women's access to leadership positions, equal pay, and opportunities for advancement, perpetuated by deeply embedded stereotypes and biases.
To bridge the divide, we must foster a cultural shift that values and promotes women's participation in all aspects of society, starting with legislative participation towards increased economic empowerment. Perhaps enforcing the representation of women in legislative roles can complete the full cycle of reforms that provide the platform for the still pending Gender Equality.
Dakshita Das, Policy expert & former civil servant
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Srinath Sridharan - Author, Policy Researcher & Corporate advisor
X : @ssmumbai
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