Women Empowerment in light of Current Policies

A Project Report on

“Women Empowerment in light of Current Policies”

Submitted By: Submitted To:

Hemant Ku. Bhagat Ms. Vinita Tripathi

ID No.012/2012/0598 Hidayatullah National Law University

B.A. LL.B (Hons.) Raipur

Semester – X 28-04-2018

Section – A

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 Women Empowerment in light of Current Policies

Table of Contents
Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................... 3

Abstract ...................................................................................................................................... 4

Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 5

Research Methodology .............................................................................................................. 6

Women Empowerment: Meaning and Significance .................................................................. 8

Constitutional Provisions, Special Laws and National Policies in Support of Women

Empowerment .......................................................................................................................... 10

Government Policies and Schemes for Women Empowerment .............................................. 12

Analysis .................................................................................................................................... 18

Suggestions .............................................................................................................................. 19

Conclusion ............................................................................................................................... 20

Bibliography............................................................................................................................. 21

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 Women Empowerment in light of Current Policies

Acknowledgements

I feel myself highly elated, as it gives me tremendous pleasure to come out with this
dynamic and highly popular work on the topic, WOMEN EMPOWERMENT IN THE
LIGHT OF CURRENT POLICIES.

Words fail to express the deep sense of glee to, Ms. Vinita Tripathi (Faculty for
Women and Law). The dialectics and dynamics of this topic provoked me to come out with
this project.

Hemant Kumar Bhagat

ID no. 012/2012/0598

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 Women Empowerment in light of Current Policies

Abstract

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. ‘Empowerment’ may be described as a process which helps
people to assert their control over the factors which affect their lives. Empowerment of women
means developing them as more aware individuals, who are politically active, economically
productive and independent and are able to make intelligent discussion in matters that affect
them. Present article discusses about various initiatives taken by Government of India &
Ministry of Women and Child Development for empowering women by analyzing the Schemes
for Women Empowerment. A few of important programmes and schemes are discussed in this
article. This paper also makes an attempt for successful implementation of programmes by
giving some of the suggestions.

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 Women Empowerment in light of Current Policies

Introduction

“We cannot all succeed if half of this are held back.” — Malala Yousafzai.

There is no denying the fact that women in India have made a considerable progress in almost
seven decades of Independence, but they still have to struggle against many handicaps and
social evils in the male-dominated society. Many evil and masculine forces still prevail in the
modern Indian society that resists the forward march of its women folk. It is ironical that a
country, which has recently acclaimed the status of the first Asian country to accomplish its
Mars mission in the maiden attempt, is positioned at the 29th rank among 146 countries across
the globe on the basis of Gender Inequality Index. There has been amelioration in the position
of women, but their true empowerment is still awaited.

Swami Vivekananda, one of the greatest sons of India, quoted that, “There is no chance for
the welfare of the world unless the condition of women is improved, it is not possible for a bird
to fly on only with one wing.”

The Ministry of women and child development, as the nodal agency for all matters pertaining
to welfare, development and empowerment of women, has evolved schemes and programmes
for their benefit. These schemes are spread across a broader spectrum such as women’s need
for shelter, security, safety, legal aid, justice, information, maternal health, food, nutrition etc.,
as well as their need for economic sustenance through skill development, education and access
to credit and marketing. The schemes of the Ministry like Swashakti, STEP and enable
economic empowerment. Working Women Hostels provide support services. Swadhar Greh
provide protection and rehabilitation to women in difficult circumstances1.

1
An analysis of women welfare schemes of India by Dr. R.H.pavithra 5
 Women Empowerment in light of Current Policies

Research Methodology

OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this project report are stated as follows:
1. To highlight the Major Women welfare schemes
2. To suggest suitable measures for effective implementation of such schemes.
3. To find out how Government Schemes has helped women empowerment in our
country.

RESEARCH DESIGN
The nature of study involved in the preparation of this project report is doctrinal in nature. This
project has been done after a thorough research based upon intrinsic and extrinsic aspects of
the topic.

METHOD OF WRITING
The method of writing followed in the course of this research project is primarily descriptive.

MODE OF CITATION
The researcher has followed the Blue Book mode of citation throughout the course of this
project.

SOURCES OF DATA
Both primary and secondary sources of data have been used in the completion of this project
report.

1. Government reports
The following secondary sources of data have been used in the project-
1. Articles
2. Websites

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 Women Empowerment in light of Current Policies

SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The main limitations of this project report are:

1. Due to the vastness of the topic it is not possible to cover all the aspect within a limited
time period, therefore this research is strictly conducted on Major Government Schemes
for Women Empowerment.

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 Women Empowerment in light of Current Policies

Women Empowerment: Meaning and Significance

Women empowerment means emancipation of women from the vicious grips of social,
economic, political, caste and gender-based discrimination. It means granting women the
freedom to make life choices. Women empowerment does not mean ‘deifying women’ rather
it means replacing patriarchy with parity.

What is Women Empowerment?

According to Webster’s dictionary, the word “empowerment” indicates the situation of

authority or to be authorized or to be powerful. In other words, empowers means to authorize.
So empowerment is a process which gives women power or authority to challenge some
situation.

Women Empowerment is a process whereby women become able to organize themselves to

increase their own, self-reliance to assert their independent right to make choices and to control
resources which will assists in challenges and eliminating their own subordination.

The goal of women empowerment is simply providing strength to them. The strength may be
giving political or economic authority or provision of health and nutrition of health and
nutrition care or social element in the poverty eradication. Empowerment of women,
particularly rural women has become an important issue in the strategies of balanced
development with social justice. Economic empowerment results in women’s ability to
influence or make a right decision, increase self-confidence better status and role in household
etc.

In this regard, there are various facets of women empowerment, such as given hereunder:

Social Women Empowerment A critical aspect of social empowerment of women is the

promotion of gender equality. Gender equality implies a society in which women and men
enjoy the same opportunities, outcomes, rights and obligations in all spheres of life.

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 Women Empowerment in light of Current Policies

Educational Women Empowerment: It means empowering women with the knowledge,

skills, and self-confidence necessary to participate fully in the development process. It means
making women aware of their rights and developing a confidence to claim them.

Economic and occupational empowerment: It implies a better quality of material life through
sustainable livelihoods owned and managed by women. It means reducing their financial
dependence on their male counterparts by making them a significant part of the human
resource.

Legal Women Empowerment: It suggests the provision of an effective legal structure which
is supportive of women empowerment. It means addressing the gaps between what the law
prescribes and what actually occurs.

Political Women Empowerment: It means the existence of a political system favouring the
participation in and control by the women of the political decision-making process and in
governance.

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 Women Empowerment in light of Current Policies

Constitutional Provisions, Special Laws and National Policies in

Support of Women Empowerment

The importance of women as an important human resource was recognized by the Constitution
of India which not only accorded equality to women but also empowered the State. A number
of Articles of the Constitution repeated towards the socio-economic development of women
and participation decision making. These are:

Article 14 - Men and women to have equal rights and opportunities in the political, economic
and social spheres2.

Article 15(1) - Prohibits discrimination against any citizens on the grounds of religion, race,
sex, caste etc3.

Article 16 - Equality of opportunities in matter of public appointments for all citizens4.

Article 39(d) - Equal pay for equal work for both men and women5.

Article 42 - The state to make provision for ensuring first and humane conditions of work and
maternity relief6.

Government has also enacted specific laws to safeguard the interests of women and for up
gradation of their status. These are:

The Hindu Succession Act, 1956 which provides for women the right to parental property.

2
Indian Constitutional Law (7thEd.) by M.P. Jain
3
Ibid
4
Ibid
5
Ibid
6
Ibid 10
 Women Empowerment in light of Current Policies

The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 which declares the taking of dowry an unlawful activity
and thereby prevents the exploitation of women.

Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 which provides payment of remuneration equal with men for
work of equal value.

The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971 which legalizes abortion conceding the
right of a women to go for abortion on the ground of physical and mental health.

The Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1983 which seeks to stop various types of crimes against
women.

The Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986 which prohibits the vulgar
presentation of women in the media such as- newspapers, cinema, T.V. etc.
The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 provides for more effective
protection of the rights of women guaranteed under the Constitution who are victims of
violence of any kind occurring within the family.

Sexual Harassment of Women at Work Place (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal)

Act, 2013, helps to create a conducive environment at the workplace for women where they
are not subjected to any sort of sexual harassment.

Panchayati Raj Institutions As per the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, all the
local elected bodies reserve one-third of their seats for women. Such a provision was made to
increase the effective participation of women in politics.

Women’s Reservation Bill: It is a pending Bill in India which proposes to reserve 33% of all
seats in the Lok Sabha and in all State Legislative Assemblies for women. If passed, this Bill
will give a significant boost to the position of women in politics.

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 Women Empowerment in light of Current Policies

Government Policies and Schemes for Women Empowerment

The Government of India is running various welfare schemes and policies, both at State and
Central levels for the empowerment of woman. All such policies and programs focus on social,
economic and educational empowerment of women across various age groups. Some of the
major programs and measures include:-

1. Swa-Shakti: The project jointly founded by IFAD, World Bank and the Government
of India was launched in October, 1999 and culminated on 30th June, 2005. The
objective of the program was to bring out socio-economic development and
empowerment of women through promotion of women SHGs, micro credit and income
generating activities. The project was conceived as a Pilot Project implemented in 335
blocks of 57 districts in 9 states. The project 302 established 17,647 SHGs covering
about 2, 44,000 women. This was a Centrally Sponsored Project7.

2. Support to Training and Employment Programme (STEP) - The Ministry of

women and child development has been administering ‘Support to Training and
Employment Programme for Women (STEP) Scheme’ since 1986-87 as a ‘Central
Sector Scheme’. The STEP Scheme aims to provide skills that give employability to
women and to provide competencies and skill that enable women to become self-
employed/entrepreneurs. The Scheme is intended to benefit women who are in the age
group of 16 years and above across the country. The grant under the Scheme is given
to an institution/ organization including NGOs directly and not the States/ UTs. The
assistance under STEP Scheme will be available in any sector for imparting skills
related to employability and entrepreneurship, including but not limited to the
Agriculture, Horticulture, Food Processing, Handlooms, Tailoring, Stitching,
Embroidery, Zari etc, Handicrafts, Computer & IT enable services along with soft skills

7
www.planningcommission.nic.in/reports/sereport/ser/stdy_fpss.pdf 12
 Women Empowerment in light of Current Policies

and skills for the work place such as spoken English, Gems & Jewellery, Travel &
Tourism, Hospitality8.

3. Swadhar Greh (A Scheme that caters to primary needs of women in difficult

circumstances) (2015): The scheme envisions a supportive institutional framework for
women victims of difficult circumstances so that they could lead their life with dignity
and conviction. It envisages that shelter, food, clothing, and health as well as economic
and social security are assured for such women. It also envisions that the special needs
of these women are properly taken care of and under no circumstances they should be
left unattended or abandoned which could lead to their exploitation and desolation9.

Under the Scheme, Swadhar Greh will be set up in every district with capacity of 30
women with the following objectives:-

a) To cater to the primary need of shelter, food, clothing, medical treatment and care of the
women in distress and who are without any social and economic support.

b) To enable them to regain their emotional strength that gets hampered due to their encounter
with unfortunate circumstances.

c) To provide them with legal aid and guidance to enable them to take steps for their
readjustment in family/society.

d) To rehabilitate them economically and emotionally.

8
http://www.wcd.nic.in/schemes/support-training-and-employment-programme-women-step
9
http://www.wcd.nic.in/schemes/swadhar-greh-scheme-women-difficult-circumstances 13
 Women Empowerment in light of Current Policies

The benefit of the component could be availed by women above 18 years of age of the
following categories:

a) Women who are deserted and are without any social and economic support;

b) Women survivors of natural disasters who have been rendered homeless and are without any
social and economic support;

c) Women prisoners released from jail and are without family, social and economic support;

d) Women victims of domestic violence, family tension or discord, who are made to leave their
homes without any means of subsistence and have no special protection from exploitation and/
or facing litigation on account of marital disputes; and

e) Trafficked women/girls rescued or runaway from brothels or other places where they face
exploitation and Women affected by HIV/AIDS who do not have any social or economic
support. However such women/ girls should first seek assistance under UJJAWALA Scheme
in areas where it is in operation.

4. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP): Beti Bachao Beti Padhao was launched by the
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 22nd January, 2015 at Panipat, Haryana. It
addresses the declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and related issues of women
empowerment over a life-cycle continuum. It is a tri-ministerial effort of Ministries of
Women and Child Development, Health & Family Welfare and Human Resource
Development. It has been the target of fraudsters in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana,
Uttarakhand, Punjab, Bihar and Delhi10.

10
http://www.wcd.nic.in/schemes/beti-bachao-beti-padhao-scheme 14
 Women Empowerment in light of Current Policies

The Overall Goal of the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP) Scheme is to celebrate the
Girl Child and enable her Education. The objectives of the Scheme are as under:
 Prevent gender biased sex selective elimination
 Ensure survival & protection of the girl child
 Ensure education of the girl child

5. One Stop Centres (OSC): The One Stop Centres are intended to support women
affected by violence, in private and public spaces, within the family, community and at
the workplace. The OSC will support all women including girls below 18 years of age
affected by violence, irrespective of caste, class, religion, region, sexual orientation or
marital status. For girls below 18 years of age, institutions and authorities established
under Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 and the Protection
of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 will be linked with the OSC.

Aggrieved women facing any kind of violence due to attempted sexual harassment,
sexual assault, domestic violence, trafficking, honour related crimes, acid attacks or
witch-hunting who have reached out or been referred to the OSC will be provided with
specialized services11.

Objectives of OSC:-

 To provide integrated support and assistance to women affected by violence, both in private
and public spaces under one roof.
 To facilitate immediate, emergency and non-emergency access to a range of services including
medical, legal, psychological and counselling support under one roof to fight against any forms
of violence against women.

11
http://www.wcd.nic.in/schemes/one-stop-centre-scheme-1 15
 Women Empowerment in light of Current Policies

6. Working Women Hostel: With the progressive change in the socio-economic fabric
of the country more and more women are leaving their homes in search of employment
in big cities as well as urban and rural industrial clusters. One of the main difficulties
faced by such women is lack of safe and conveniently located accommodation. The
Government of India being concerned about the difficulties faced by such working
women, introduced a scheme in 1972-73 of grant-in- aid for construction of new/
expansion of existing buildings for providing hostel facilities to working women in
cities, smaller towns and also in rural areas where employment opportunities for women
exist. Based on an evaluation, the existing scheme has been revised to promote
availability of safe and conveniently located accommodation for working women who
need to live away from their families due to professional commitments12.

Working Women are entitled to hostel facilities provided their gross income does not exceed
Rs. 50,000/- consolidated (gross) per month in metropolitan cities, or Rs 35,000/-consolidated
(gross) per month, in any other place.

7. Pradhan Mantri Mahila Shakti Kendra (PMMSK): Government of India has

approved Mahila Shakti Kendra scheme for the period 2017-18 up to 2019-20 to
empower rural women through community participation.

PMMSK scheme is envisioned as one-stop convergence support service for

empowering rural women with opportunities for skill development, digital literacy,
health and nutrition and employment. It aims to improve declining child sex ratio
(CSR), ensure survival and protection of the girl child, ensuring her education and
empowering her to fulfill her potential. It will provide interface for rural women to
approach government for getting their entitlements and for empowering them through

12
http://www.wcd.nic.in/schemes/working-women-hostel 16
 Women Empowerment in light of Current Policies

training and capacity building. Through this scheme, government plans to reach 115
most backward districts in the country with 920 Mahila Shakti Kendra.
At national level, Mahila Shakti Kendra will provide domain-based knowledge support
while at state level, it will cater to State Resource Centre for Women that will provide
technical support on Issues related to women at district and block level centres. It will
provide support to PMMSK and also give foothold to Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao in 640
districts13.

8. Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (2016)- The scheme seeks to provide free LPG
connections to women from below poverty line (BPL) households and builds on the
objective of achieving universal coverage of cooking gas in the country. Under the
scheme, a financial support of 1600 rupees will be provided for each LPG connection
to the BPL households. Incidentally, this is for the first time the Ministry of Petroleum
and Natural Gas has involved in implementing a welfare scheme benefitting crores of
women belonging to the poorest households14.
9. National Policy for Women, 2016- Union Women and Child Development Minister
Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi released the draft National Policy for Women, 2016 on
May 17, 2016 for stakeholder comments and consultations. The policy envisions a
society in which, women attain their full potential and are able to participate as equal
partners in all spheres of life. It also emphasizes the role of an effective framework to
enable the process of developing policies, programmes and practices which will ensure
equal rights and opportunities for women.

The broad objective of the policy is to create a conducive socio-cultural, economic and
political environment to enable women enjoy de jure and de facto Fundamental Rights
and realize their full potential.

13
Mahila Shakti Kendra scheme implementation guidelines - Ministry of Women And Child Development
14
http://www.pmujjwalayojana.com/about.html 17
 Women Empowerment in light of Current Policies

Analysis

After analyzing major schemes for the Women empowerment, Researcher has found that the
schemes made for the women are empowering in nature. Also government has increased
allocation for the ministry of women and child development (MWCD) by a respectable 10% in
2018-19 compared to 2017-1815. But this scheme is not reaching the women at masses. The
Reason behind it is a lack of Proper Implementation of the schemes. Through all these years,
the attention is only on developing and devising new schemes, policies and programmes and
have paid less attention to the proper monitoring system and implementation short-sightedness,
for e.g. despite the presence of The Pre-Natal Diagnostic Technologies Act and various health
programmes like Janani Suraksha Yojana and National Rural Health Mission (NHRM), our
country has a skewed sex ratio and a high maternal mortality rate (MMR).

While the government has increased allocation for some schemes under the MWCD, such as
the maternity benefit programme, Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao etc., a lot will depend on
implementation. To illustrate, of the Rs400 crore initially allotted for maternity benefit in 2016-
17, less than a fifth, i.e. only Rs75 crore, was actually spent that year. The maternity benefit
scheme provides a cash assistance to mothers for their first delivery to compensate wage loss16.

15
https://www.livemint.com/Politics/7TsN73EGROY1Sr30VbZ1YO/Budget-fails-to-live-up-to-rhetoric-on-
women-empowerment.html
16
ibid 18
 Women Empowerment in light of Current Policies

Suggestions

A Proper awareness of schemes should be there, the benefits of the Scheme should not be
restricted to papers only but the implementation of schemes should be there so that every
woman can be familiar with her rights. Significant steps should be taken to implement all the
schemes which are amended to facilitate detention, prevention and punishment of crimes
against women.
 Women education has to be made compulsory and women should be encouraged to
become literate because without being educated women cannot have a access to the
benefits of schemes and programmes.
 Strict implementation of the schemes and policies for women empowerment should be
done.
 Awareness camps for women should be organized where they can become familiar with
the framed schemes and policies and can take benefit of those schemes and policies.

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 Women Empowerment in light of Current Policies

Conclusion

“There is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women.”- Kofi
Annan

Women play an imperative role in making a nation progressive and guide it towards
development. They are essential possessions of a lively humanity required for national
improvement, so if we have to see a bright future of women in our country, Empowering them
is a must, thus the measures taken by the government are progressive in that direction. These
scheme provides assistance for Education, Training, Financial assistance/Cash, Subsidy on the
loans, Scholarship, Nutrition, self-employment and other facilities. These Schemes seems to
fulfill prime goal of Empowerment, development, protection and welfare of Women & Child.

But Empowerment of women is only possible when the society accept that man and woman are
both Equal. This can be achieved by running sustained awareness programs with the help of
Nukkad Natak or dramas, radio, television, Internet, etc. across the country. Education also brings
a reduction in inequalities and functions as a means of improving Woman’s status within the
family.

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 Women Empowerment in light of Current Policies

Bibliography

Journals:

 An Analysis of Women Welfare Schemes of India by Dr. R.H.pavithra

Reports:

 Mahila Shakti Kendra scheme implementation guidelines - Ministry of Women And

Child Development

Web References:

 http://www.wcd.nic.in/schemes/support-training-and-employment-programme-
women-step

 http://www.wcd.nic.in/schemes/swadhar-greh-scheme-women-difficult-circumstances

 http://www.wcd.nic.in/schemes/beti-bachao-beti-padhao-scheme

 http://www.wcd.nic.in/schemes/one-stop-centre-scheme-1

 http://www.wcd.nic.in/schemes/working-women-hostel

 http://www.wcd.nic.in/schemes/working-women-hostel

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