Women's empowerment in Rajasthan and India
To "empower women" means to give women power, or to raise their overall position, status and condition in every sphere of life. This article by Saatiish Jhuntrraa looks at what that means for women in India and in the state of Rajasthan.
Through women's empowerment, we demand equality with men in employment, marriage, inheritance, education, finance, religion and more. According to one study, empowering women will help speed up economic growth and sustain development.
"There is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women." – Kofi Annan
Women in a male-dominated society
A woman is the creator of life, and without women human life would cease to exist. Yet, the author writes, we live in a male-dominated society where women are called the weaker gender, inferior to men.
In his view, the condition of women is worse in India, where women are looked down on and treated as slaves by men.
"I think women are foolish to pretend they are equal to men; they are far superior and always have been." – William Golding
Old practices and new threats
The purdah system, the practice of sati, child marriage and other outdated practices have been brought under control or have ended.
But many problems still limit women's freedom:
- a rise in cases of rape
- sexual harassment at work
- the dowry system
- female infanticide
- honour killings
Change is under way
Many people, organisations, activists and groups are working to improve the lives of women in India. Women are becoming aware of their rights, taking on many roles and realising their potential.
But it is not only women who must change. Men, too, have to wake up to a world that is moving towards equality and fairness. It is better for all of us that this happens sooner rather than later.
A struggle of more than a century has won women voting rights, civil rights and property rights, and equality before the law in marriage and employment.
Progress in Rajasthan
Much work is being done in Rajasthan, too. Women in Jaipur and across Rajasthan have been greatly helped by:
- better education for girls
- better career opportunities for women
- supportive working environments
- business ideas put successfully into practice
- stronger family support and more open minds
- a positive shift in how society thinks
What still needs to happen
Women's progress must speed up. Hundreds of thousands of women have suffered cruelty and injustice for centuries, and it is time to end it, so that women can truly enjoy their womanhood.
First, we need to tackle all the social inequalities that hold women back, to change their place in society and in the nation.
Next, once women recognise their own worth and refuse to give in to wrongdoing, they can free themselves and stand up for their rights.
Men, too, must understand that women are their equals in every sense, and treat them with the greatest respect, dignity and integrity.
The world will know peace, harmony and lasting growth when women and men live side by side, without fear, and depend on each other as equals.