Essay on Empowering A woman Empowers Next Generations : The true meaning of women empowerment refers to creation of an environment for women where they are self-reliant, have positive self esteem and are independent to make their own decisions for their personal benefit as well society. empowerment is correspondent with comprehensive development of the society. A well educated woman with sound knowledge about health, hygiene and cleanliness is adept for providing a disease free environment for her family. Thus, the best way to empower women is to educate them and make them knowledgeable so that they are capable of making their own decisions and are not dependent on men for the same.
Essay on Empowering A woman Empowers Next Generations
"There
is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women" -
Kofi Annan
Everyday
women across the world are performing diverse responsibilities right from
doting daughters, caring mothers, affectionate wives, expert colleagues and
many more. Not only are they doing this flawlessly but with great compassion
and grace. Certainly they are the backbone of any society.
Though
in many parts of the world, they are the ignored gender and are at the
receiving end of discrimination, oppression, abuse, financial dependability and
such other social atrocities. Since generations, they have been living under
bondage, restricting them from achieving any social or economic freedom. A lot
of barriers for women empowerment and equality are deep-rooted in the cultural
norms of any community. Several women suffer this brunt whereas others have
become habitual to being considered inferior to the men folk.
The
world is ever evolving and there is no contradiction about the fact that women
across the globe have achieved significant progress, yet majority of them are
still struggling to achieve an equal position in the male dominated society.
Women population constitutes around 50% population of the world, yet a large
number of women are still unemployed. The world economy is suffering a lot due
to the unequal opportunities for women at workplace. Though there has been
amelioration in the status of women in the 20th century, but their rightful
empowerment is yet to be attained.
The
true meaning of women empowerment refers to creation of an environment for
women where they are self-reliant, have positive self esteem and are
independent to make their own decisions for their personal benefit as well
society. It is not only to restore their rightful and dignified status but also
escalating and improving their social, economic, political and legal strength.
The key advantage of women empowerment is that there will be holistic progress
of the society.
Women
today are playing bigger and bigger roles in almost every field - architecture,
lawyers, financial services, engineering, medical and IT jobs. They are also
making their mark into conventional male dominated roles such as army, police,
commandos, pilots etc. Despite the fact of increased number in every field,
women are still the world's most underutilized resources.
True
women empowerment is correspondent with comprehensive development of the
society. A well educated woman with sound knowledge about health, hygiene and
cleanliness is adept for providing a disease free environment for her family. A
self-employed woman is not only financially sound and contributes to the
family's income but also to the country's GDP. A woman conscious about her
legal rights is unlikely to be a victim of domestic violence or any other form
of exploitation or abuse. Their innate gift towards organization and versatile
upkeep of home makes them distinctively suited for both political and social
leadership roles.
Thus,
the best way to empower women is to educate them and make them knowledgeable so
that they are capable of making their own decisions and are not dependent on
men for the same, This is evident from the fact that for the past three years,
women have made an impeccable mark by securing top position in the leading
examinations across India. Nandini KR from Karnataka is the third woman in a
row who has secured first rank in the prestigious UPSC Civil Services
examination 2016 after Ira Singhal who cleared UPSC Civil Services 2014 followed
by Tina Dabi in 2015. Not only this, CBSE Class 12th topper scored 100 in three
subjects - English core, Political science and Economics. Nishita Purohit, a
national-level basketball player, from Surat (Gujarat) led the list of toppers
in the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) MBBS entrance
examination 2017. Women are shining bright and letting the world know there is
no stopping them.
Time
and again it has been said that the status and position of women in society are
the best way to discern a civilization, its strengths and its shortcomings. In
the last few decades, Indian women have come a long way where women enjoy a
status of equality with the men as per constitutional and legal provisions. But
with headlines about rape, honor killing, female feticides and domestic
violence still making the newspapers, put a silent question mark.
If
we turn the pages of Indian history, the birth of a girl child was not
unwelcome. However, slowly and steadily, the preference for a male child
resulted in unreceptive attitude towards a girl child. A woman's child bearing
potential was valuable, but it became significantly higher when a woman became
mother of a son. Marked preference for sons led to the neglect of female
children. This led to severe discrimination in nutrition, health care and
education.
Over
a century, women struggled really hard before the law to get equality in civil
rights, property rights, voting rights, marriage and employment to name a few.
Legislative measures such as abolishment of purdah system, sati system
(self-immolation by the women with their husbands), female infanticide, pre
natal determination of sex of child etc. have contributed substantially in
raising the status of women in India.
Government
Laws and its subsequent amendments, along with various Government schemes have
seen larger inclusion of women with respect to their standing in the society.
Numerous councils and bodies have been set up with an aim for the well-being of
women such as the National Commission for Women, Department of Women and Child
Development and the Parliamentary Committee on Empowerment of Women. Along
with, the recent campaigns of 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' are being aimed at
reducing female infanticide and promoting the importance of educating the girl
child. The popular slogan educate a man and you educate an individual; educate
a woman and you educate a family is the most appropriate in today's scenario.
The
2016 edition of The World's 100 Most Powerful Women list, brought out by
Forbes, had four Indian women business leaders, viz., State Bank of India
Chairman Arundhati Bhattacharya (ranked 25); Chanda Kochhar (40), MD and CEO,
ICICI Bank; Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (77), Chairman and MD of Biocon; and Shobhana
Bhartia (93), Chairperson and Editorial Director, HT Media Ltd.
History
has stood witness to the brilliance of women in politics, time and again. India
has also seen such influential female political figures from time to time.
Their schemes and political traits have been appreciated by many and criticized
by many more. However, their contribution to the development of the country can
never be overlooked. India's Mrs. Vijayalakshmi Pandit, the first woman
president of U.N. General Assembly in 1953. Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil , the
first president of India from 2007 to 2012. Late Smt. Indira Gandhi, the first
woman Prime Minister of India. Smt. Sushma Swaraj, the BJP leader and current
Union Minister Of External Affairs of India; Vasundhara Raje, CM Rajasthan;
Mamta Banerjee, CM West Bengal, Mehbooba Mufti, CM Jammu and Kashmir, women
have proved their indomitability. Even the current speaker Ms Sumitra Mahajan
is presiding over the 16th Lok Sabha and is the second woman to hold the
office, after her immediate predecessor Meira Kumar.
The
list of the leading women of modern India does not end here. Several other
women from different domains of life are constantly inspiring and influencing
youth of India. Be it sports persons like badminton player Saina Nehwal,
wrestler Geeta Phogat; actresses like Priyanka Chopra or Aishwaraya Rai, writer
Arundhati Roy, filmmaker Gauri Shinde etc., they are all making a contribution
to make the nation a better place. India, is the nation of some phenomenal
women Aishwaraya Rai, writer Arundhati Roy, filmmaker Gauri Shinde etc., they
are all making a contribution to make the nation a better place. India, is the
nation of some phenomenal women such as Indra Nooyi, current Chairperson and
CEO of Pepsi Co; Chanda Kochhar, MD & CEO, ICICI Bank; Tessy Thomas,
Project Director for Agni-VI missile, who have proved their mettle against all
odds.
Though
the government is taking requisite steps for women, it is important that women
too empower themselves by being strong from heart and think from mind. They
need to learn how to embrace their life with all challenges every day. They
also need to change their outlook that they are weak, anybody can cheat them or
use them instead they need to think that they have same power like men and can
do anything better than men.
Nonetheless
women have come a long way yet we live in a strong patriarchal society with its
deep rooted mindset of socio-cultural values and the road to true women
empowerment is still a long way to go. We need an egalitarian approach with no
place of discrimination of any sorts on the basis of gender. The government
should identify and ensure complete eradication of any factors that are trying
to hinder the development of women by practicing the custom of male domination.
They
should guarantee the rights of women and provide them prospects to accomplish
their full potential. This will result not only in attaining gender equality
but also achieve a great deal of international development goals and economic
growth. When we empower a woman or girl, it creates a ripple effect which in
turn contributes to the well-being and productivity of her family, community or
country at large.
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