India is a country of diversity and contrasts, where women face various challenges and opportunities in their pursuit of excellence and empowerment. Despite the social, cultural, and economic barriers that often limit their choices and rights, many women in India have risen to the top of their fields and made remarkable contributions to the nation’s development and progress. In this article, we will explore some of the factors that enable women in India to take charge and succeed in various domains, such as education, politics, business, science, and arts. We will also look at some of the government schemes and initiatives that aim to support and promote women’s empowerment in India.
The Importance of Education and Skills for Women’s Empowerment
One of the key factors that empower women to take charge and succeed is education. Education not only provides women with the knowledge and skills that they need to excel in their careers but also opens up opportunities for personal growth, social mobility, and civic participation. According to the World Bank, educating girls and women can boost their earnings, reduce poverty, improve health outcomes, and enhance social cohesion. Moreover, education can also foster women’s confidence, creativity, and critical thinking, which are essential for leadership and innovation.
India has made significant progress in improving women’s access to education in recent decades. According to the Women and Men in India 2022 report, the literacy rate of women aged 7 and above increased from 53.7% in 2001 to 65.5% in 2011. Moreover, the gross enrollment ratio of girls in primary, secondary, and higher education increased from 82.1%, 47.9%, and 10.5% in 2005-06 to 99.2%, 80.8%, and 25.4% in 2015-16, respectively. Furthermore, the number of women who have completed graduate and above level of education increased from 7.2 million in 2001 to 21.3 million in 2011.
However, there are still significant gaps and challenges in women’s education in India, especially in rural areas and among disadvantaged groups. According to UNESCO, 17.7 million girls are out of school in India, and two-thirds of the 265 million illiterate adults in India are women. Furthermore, women often face discrimination, violence, and cultural barriers that limit their access to quality education and learning opportunities. Therefore, it is crucial to invest in women’s education and skills development and to ensure that they have equal opportunities to learn and thrive in all levels and fields of education.
The Role of Mentorship and Networking in Women’s Success
Another factor that empowers women to take charge and succeed is mentorship and networking. Mentorship involves a knowledgeable person guiding and supporting someone less experienced. Networking involves creating and nurturing professional and personal connections for advice and opportunities. Mentorship and networking provide women with insights, guidance, and connections to advance their careers. A KPMG study shows that 28% of women with mentors aim for top executive roles, versus 19% without. Nearly 48% of women with mentors feel confident, compared to 39% without. Similarly, 85% with strong networks report career confidence, versus 63% without. Seventy percent of women with strong networks have successfully switched careers, versus 50% without.
The Impact of Role Models and Inspiration on Women’s Aspirations
A third factor that empowers women to take charge and succeed is role models and inspiration. Role models are successful individuals who inspire others through their achievements and excellence. Role models inspire women to envision possibilities, aspire to goals, and overcome challenges.
-
Indira Gandhi, India’s first female prime minister, led during key events like the 1971 war and the 1974 nuclear tests.
- Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, founder of Biocon, is a pioneering biotech leader and philanthropist.
- Kalpana Chawla, the first Indian-born woman in space, flew two NASA missions and died in the 2003 Columbia disaster.
- Arundhati Roy, author of The God of Small Things, is a prominent activist and critic.
-
Mithali Raj, captain of India’s women’s cricket team, is the highest run-scorer in women’s ODIs, surpassing 6,000 runs.
The Government Schemes and Initiatives for Women’s Empowerment in India
The Indian government has taken significant steps to empower women and enhance their quality of life. This section highlights government schemes in India focused on women’s empowerment and security.
- Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (Save the Girl Child, Educate the Girl Child): Launched in 2015, this scheme promotes girls’ education and empowerment. The scheme prevents gender-biased sex selection and promotes girls’ survival, education, and participation.
- Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (Prime Minister’s Scheme for LPG Gas Cylinders): Launched in 2016, this scheme provides free LPG connections to women in BPL households.
The scheme seeks to reduce health hazards from traditional fuels and empower women.
- Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (Prime Minister’s Scheme for Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency): Launched in 2015, this scheme offers loans up to 10 lakh for small, non-farm enterprises, focusing on women entrepreneurs.
Leave a Reply