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Dr.B.R.AmbedkarsRoleInWomenEmpowerment

Source:http://www.
Author:kavitakait
Publishedon:December18,2013
Dr.B.R.AmbedkarsRoleInWomenEmpowerment
Imeasuretheprogressofacommunitybythedegreeof
progresswhichwomenhaveachievedDr.B.R.Ambedkar

kavitakait'sProfileand
details

Awomanisthefullcirclewithinheristhepowertocreate,
nurtureandtransformDianeMariechild
InancientIndia,womenenjoyedaveryhighpositionbutgraduallytheirposition
degeneratedintomerelyobjectsofpleasuremeanttoservecertainpurpose.Theylosttheir
individualidentityandeventheirbasichumanright.Empowermentisamultifaceted,
multidimensionalandmultilayeredconcept.Womensempowermentisaprocessin
whichwomengaingreatershareofcontroloverresourcesmaterial,humanandintellectual
likeknowledge,information,ideasandfinancialresourceslikemoneyandaccessto
moneyandcontroloverdecisionmakinginthehome,community,societyendnation,and
togainpower.AccordingtotheCountryReportofGovernmentofIndia,Empowerment
meansmovingfromapositionofenforcedpowerlessnesstooneofpower.But,fromtime
immemorial,thewomeninthislandofoursweretreatedasasortofthing.Herplacingin
thesocietywasnotatparwithotherhumanbeings.Shehasnorights.Shecannotmovenor
doanythingatherwill.InHinduShastras,shehasbeenbrandedjustlikeanimalsorsome
Objectsofenjoyment.FromtheversesofRamayanaaswrittenbyTulsiDas,Dhol,ganwar,
shudra,pashu,naariYesabtadankeadhikari,InManusmrititheancientHinduCode
book,thestatusgrantedtowomenisquitevisibleandshewasputtothelowestrugof
humanityasshewastreatedatparwiththeanimalsandslavebytheproprietorsofHindu
Dharma.Suchwastheplacementearmarkedtoourmothers,sistersandevengreatgrand
mothersthathumanitywasashamedof.ThatiswhyDr.Ambedkar,thefatherandarchitect
ofIndianConstitution,wasofthefirmopinionthatuntilandunless,wedefytheHindu
DharmaShastras,nothingmuchcanbechanged.Inthenameofsanskaras,theHindu
womenaretiedtobondagesofsuperstitions,whichtheycarrytilltheirdeath.Theyarealso
responsibleforinculcatingcertainwrongnotionslearntthroughbaselesstraditionsand
preachingoftheShastras,inthebuddingmindsoftheiroffspring.
Dr.B.RAmbedkarTowardsTheEmpowermentOfIndianWomen
Theoperationsofcastebothatthesystemiclevelandatthefunctioningofpatriarchy,the
growingcaste/classdivideinfeministpoliticaldiscoursemakesAmbedkarsviewon
women'soppression,socialdemocracy,casteandHindusocialorderandphiloshopy,
significanttomodernIndianfeministthinking.AlthoughAmbedkarproved,himselftobea
geniusandwasknownasagreatthinker,philosopher,revolutionary,juristparexcellence,
prolificwriter,socialactivistandcriticandstrodelikeacolossusintheIndian
sociopoliticalsceneuntohisdeath,histhoughtsneverreceivedadequateattentioninthe
generalityofIndiansocietyjustbecausehewasbornasanuntouchable.However,the
contemporarysocialrealitieswarrantcloseexaminationofthewiderangeofhistopics,the
widthofhisvision,thedepthofhisanalysis,andtherationalityofhisoutlookandthere
essentialhumanityofhissuggestionsforpracticalaction.Hence,forIndianwomens
movementAmbedkarprovidesapowerfulsourceofinspirationtoformulateafeminist
politicalagendawhichsimultaneouslyaddressestheissuesofclass,casteandgenderinthe
contemporarysociopoliticalsetup,whichstillkeepsconservativeandreactionaryvaluesin
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manyrespects,particularlyongenderrelations.ThewritingsandSpeechesofAmbedkar
showwhatvaluesIndiashoulddevelopandhowtheywouldmodernizeitssocialand
politicalinstitutions.Ambedkarsawwomenasthevictimsoftheoppressive,castebased
andrigidhierarchicalsocialsystem.
Hinduism
Itistruethatgreatmendonotdemandrightstheydotheirduties.ButforAmbedkar,thisis
hardlytrueinrespectofthegeneralmasses.Therightsoftheuppercastesareautomatically
protected,butnotofthepoorclasses.Thepoormassesmusthavespecificrights,otherwise
theywouldbeexploitedandopposedbythecleverandshrewdpersons.TheHinduidealof
dutiesundertheVarnaVyavasthahasdevelopedonlyasameansofexploitationand
oppression.Itisasystemwhichdeadens,paralyesandcrippledthepeoplefromwhich
usefulactivity,andalsopreventsthemformeretivity.
AmbedkarmadesomememorablespeechesintheRoundTableconference.Heplacedthe
viewpointofthedepressedclassesandpleadedforDominionStatus.Hisspeechescreated
agoodimpressionupontheBritishpublic.Heservedonanumberofimportantsub
committeesandpreparedschemeofpoliticalsafeguardsfartheprotectionsofdepressed
classesinthefutureconstitutionofaselfgoverningIndia.Ambedkaralsoadvocatedthe
immediateintroductionofadultfranchise.
AmbedkarwaselectedtotheConstituentAssemblyofIndiabythemembersofWest
BengalLegislativeAssemblythoughhewasdefeatedinBombay.Hewaselectedontheon
theDraftingCommitteeandlaterappointeditschairman.
Myfinalwordsofadvicetoyouareeducate,agitateandorganize,havefaithinyourself.
WithjusticeonoursideIdonotseehowwecanlooseourbattletomeisamatterofjoy.
Youmustabolishyourslaveryyourselves.Donotdependforitsabolitionupongodora
superman.
Healsosuggestsstrategiesforemancipationfromoppression.Hefoundtheiremancipation
inBuddhistvalues,whichpromotesequality,selfrespectandeducation.Ambedkar
believesthatBuddhatreatedwomenwithrespectandloveandnevertriedtodegradethem
likeManudid.HetaughtwomenBuddhaDharmaandreligiousphilosophy.Ambedkar
citeswomenlikeVishakha,AmrapaliofVisali,Gautami,RaniMallika,Queenof
PrasenajjthwhoapproachedBuddha,asevidencesofBuddastreatmentofwomenas
equals.(Paul,1993:38384)itwasmainlytheHinducultureandsocialcustoms,which
stoodintheheadwayofwomen'sempowerment.
LikeAmbedkar,theNationalPolicyfortheEmpowermentofWomen2001,alsoadmits,
Theunderlyingcausesofgenderinequalityarerelatedtosocialandeconomicstructure
..............andpractices,Consequently,theaccessofwomen,particularlythosebelongingto
weakersectionincludingScheduledCaste/TribesOtherBackwardClassesandMinorities
..........Toeducation,health,andproductiveresources,amongothersisinadequate.
Therefore,theyremainlargelymarginalized,poorandsociallyexcluded.SinceAmbedkar
himselfwasavictimofoppressionanddiscriminationinallitsseverity,hisviewsabout
womensoppressionandequalrightsaremoreusefulthananybodyelsestheorybasedon
mereobservationforthefeministmovementtostrengthenitsstrategyforapproachingthe
systemicchallengesandcontradictionsinamorepragmaticwaytobringwomentothe
mainstream.
Hewasthe14childofRamjiSakpalandBhimabaiwhobelongedtoMaharandMurbadker
untouchablecommunitiesrespectively.TheMaharsformedthebackboneoftheMaratha
armyandalsowereimportantpartortheMumbaiArmyoftheEastIndiaCompanysince
theywerethefirsttocomeintocontactwiththeEuropeansinIndia.FromSatara
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governmentschoolAmbedkarcompletedprimaryeducationandenteredhighschool.Here
startedthepainfulstoryofoppressionandhumiliationwhichcompelledhimlatertoactto
blowuptheoppressivesocialorder.Attheschoolhewasinsultedduetohisinferiorcaste
statusasanuntouchable.Ambedkarwaspushedtoasideoftheclassroomandwasnot
allowedtominglewithotherstudents.Hewasnevergiventheopportunitytoparticipatein
sportsandotherextracurricularactivateswithfellowstudents.Eventheteacherswere
reluctanttocorrectAmbedkarsandhisbrothernotebookandavodedaskingthemquestions
becauseofthefearofbeingpolluted.Hewasbarredfromstudyingcertainsubjects
especiallySanskrit.AmbedkarwasgivenPersianassecondlanguagewhentheSanskrit
teacherrefusedtoteachhim.Inthemidestofhumanizationsalso,Ambedkarconcentrated
onhisstudiesduetotheencouragementfromhisfather.
AccordingtoAmbedkar,thesocietymustbebasedonreason,andnotonatrocious
traditionsofcastesystem.Hefoundeducation,intercastemarriageandinterdineas
methods,whichmayeliminatecasteandpatriarchy,maintainedthroughendogamy.
In1918,AmbedkardemandedseparateelectorateandreservedseatsfortheDepressed
Classesinproportiontotheirpopulation.AfterfiftyyearsoftheworkingoftheIndian
Constitution,theIndianwomensdemandforpoliticalreservationandthelowerstatusof
otherdisadvantagesectionsprovesthathistheoryiscorrect.Ambedkarstartedhis
movementin1920.HestartedfiercepropagandaagainsttheHindusocialorderandlunched
ajournalMookNayakin1920andBahishkritBharatin1927forthispurpose.
Hisexposuretothewesthasinfluencedhisperceptiononfeministissues.itwasatime
whenfirstwavefeminismhadbeencomingtoanendwiththeachievementoffranchise
rightsforwomeninBritainin1918,andAmericain1920andAmbedkarsperceptionof
thewomenquestion,emphasizingtheirrighttoeducation,equaltreatmentwithmen,right
topropertyandinvolvementinthepoliticalprocessresembledtheglobalfeministdemands.
ItiswellknownthatAmbedkarhasthehabittoworkingformoretheneighteenhoursaday
withoutanydifficulty.Hisreadinghabithelpedhimtounderstandthefeministdevelopment
indifferentculturesandcountriesaroundtheworld.
AfterreturningtoIndiahedevotedhislifefullytoworkforthedepressedclassesincluding
women.Hewasfirmlycommittedtotheidealsofequality,libertyandfraternity.In
Ambedkarsmovementlanchedfrom1920onward,womenactivelyparticipatedand
acquiredtheconfidencetovoicetheirissuesonvariousplatforms.VenbaiBhatkarand
Renubaiworkforthesociopoliticalequalityofdepressedpeopleandpromotingtheir
economicinterests.
Dr.B.R.AmbedkarTheChampionOfWomensRights
Dr.AmbedkarchampionedthecauseofwomenaswellasthemiserableplightofSchedule
CastesandScheduledTribesthroughouthiscareer.Hediscussedanumberofproblemsof
IndianwomenandsoughtfortheirsolutionsinBombayLegislativeCouncil,inthe
ViceroysAssemblyasthechairmanoftheDraftingCommitteeandalsointheParliament
asthefirstLawMinisterofIndependentIndia.
Dr.AmbedkarwassworninasanominatedmembersoftheBombayLegislativeCouncil
on18thFeb.,1927.HeadvisedIndianstoparticipateintheworldwaronbehalfofthe
BritishGovernment.HisargumentsontheMaternityBenefitBillandonBirthCriticalwere
quiterelevanttorecognizethedignityofwomen.HevehementlysupportedtheMaternity
Bill.
Hisargumentwas
Itisintheinterestofthenationthatthemotheroughttogetacertainamountofrestduring
theprenatalperiodandalsosubsequently,andtheprincipleoftheBillisbasedentirelyon
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thatprinciple.
ThatbeingsoSir,Iamboundtoadmitthattheburdenofthisoughttobelargelyborneby
theGovernment,Iampreparedtoadmitthisfactbecauseoftheconservationofthe
peopleswelfareisprimaryconcernoftheGovernment.Andineverycountry,youwillfind
thattheGovernmenthasbeensubjectedtoacertainamountofchargewithregardto
maternitybenefit.
Womenstartedparticipatinginsatyagrahsandalsolaunchedwomensassociationsfor
untouchablewomenforspreadingeducationandawarenessamongthem.IntheMahad
Satyagrahafortempleentryin1927,evencasteHinduesparticipated.ShandabaiShinde
wasonesuchparticipant.IntheSatyagrahaitwasdecidedtoburntheManusmriti,which
humiliatedwomen,andshudras.InthedemonstrationafterthebonfireoftheManusmriti
morethanfiftyWomenparticipated.Ambedkaraddressedthemeetingthereafterand
advisedwomentochangetheirstyleofwearingsaress,wearlightweightornaments,notto
eatmeatofdeadanimals.ItwasuppercastewomenlikeTipniswhotaughtthemproper
wayofwearingsarees.
AttheAllIndiaDepressedClassesWomensConferenceheldatNagpuron20thJuly,1940
Dr.Ambedkaremphasizedthattherecouldnotbeanyprogresswithoutwomen.Hespoke
IamagreatbelieverinwomensorganizationIknowthatwhattheycandotoimprovethe
conditionofthesocietyiftheyareconvinced.Theyshouldeducatetheirchildrenandinstill
highambitioninthem.
AmbedkarmadesomememorablespeechesintheRoundTableconference.Heplacedthe
viewpointofthedepressedclassesandpleadedforDominionStatus.Hisspeechescreated
agoodimpressionupontheBritishpublic.Heservedonanumberofimportantsub
committeesandpreparedschemeofpoliticalsafeguardsfartheprotectionsofdepressed
classesinthefutureconstitutionofaselfgoverningIndia.Ambedkaralsoadvocatedthe
immediateintroductionofadultfranchise.
WhenAmbedkarreturnedtoIndiaafterattendingtheroundtableconferencein1932,
hundardsofwomenwerepresentforthecommitteemeetings.SinceAmhedkarwaswell
convincedaboutthestatusofwomen,astheChairmanoftheDraftingCommitteehetried
andadequateinclusionofwomensrightsinthepoliticalvocabularyandconstitutionof
India.Therefore,byconsideringwomensequalitybothinformalandsubstantialsenseshe
includedspecialprovisionsforwomensequalitybothinformalandsustainablesenseshe
includedspecialprovisionsforwomenwhileallothergeneralprovisionsareapplicableto
them,astomenconstitutionalprovisions.Hence,thereareArticleslike15(3),51(A),and
soon.HiskeyworkinthepreparationofIndianConstitutionmadeittobeknownasaNew
CharterofHumanRights.Helookeduponlawastheinstrumentofcreatingasanesocial
orderinwhichthedevelopmentofindividualshouldbeinharmonywiththegrowthof
society.
AmbedkarIdeaOfEquality
Heincorporatedthevaluesofliberty,equalityandfraternityintheIndianConstitution.
Basedonthebeliefthatanyschemeoffranchiseandconstituencythatfailstobringabout
representationofopinionsaswellrepresentationofpersonsfallsshortofcreatingapopular
government,hesubmittedtheConstitutionwithawarning.Hesaidinhisspeechdelivered
intheConstituentAssemblyon25thNovember1949,Politicaldemocracycannotlast
unlessthereliesatthebaseofitsocialdemocracy.Bysocialhemeansawayoflife,which
recognizesliberty,equalityandfraternityasprincipaloflife.Hefurthersaid:On26th
January1950,wearegoingtoenterintoalifeofcontradictions.Inpoliticswewillhave
equalityandsocialandeconomiclifewewillhaveinequality.Inpoliticswewillbe
recognizingtheprincipalofonemanonevoteandonevoteonevalue.Inoursocialand
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economiclife,weshall,byreasonofoursocialandeconomicstructure,continuetodeny
theprincipalofonemanonevalue.Wemustremovethiscontradictionattheearliest
possiblemomentorelsethosewhosufferfrominequalitywillblowupthestructureof
politicaldemocracywhichthisAssemblyhassolaboriouslybuiltup.
Ambedkarbelievedprimarilyintheefficacyoflawandlegislation,andhestruggledto
evolveaconstitutionalmechanismtofashionIndiaofhisdreams,whereequality,liberty
andfraternitywouldhaveanunhinderedplay.InAmbedkarsvisionofIndia,allcitizens
wouldbeequalbeforelawtheyhaveequalcivicrights,equalaccesstoallinstitutions,
conveniencesandamenitiesmaintainedbyorforthepublictheypossessequal
opportunitiestosettleorresideinanypartofIndiatoholdanypublicoffice,orexerciseany
tradeorcalling,hereallkeyandbasicindustrieswouldbeownedbythestate.Hepleaded
forspecialprivilegesandsafeguardsfortheDalitsasscheduledCastes.Inshort,he
demandedequality,whichwouldnotonlylead,totheredressalofthepartwrongsbutalso
providesufficientleverage,maybebywayofcompensation,assiabidtoensuretheir
levelingup.B.R.Ambedkar,hislife,workandrelevance.
TheHinduCodeBill,1948
In1948whentheHinduCodeBillwasintroducedinparliamentanddebatedonthefloorof
thehouse,theoppositionwasstrongagainsttheBill.Ambedkartriedhislevelbestto
defendtheBillbypointingouttheConstitutionalprincipalsofequality,libertyand
fraternityandthatintheIndiansocietycharacterizedbythecastesystemandthenecessary
forasocialchangeinwhichwomenhaveequalityinalegalframesystemandthe
oppressionofwomensincewomenaredeprivedofequality,alegalframeworkis
necessaryforasocialchangeinwhichwomenhaveequalrightwithmen.However,theBill
couldnotwithstandtheoppositionfromtheHinduorthodoxy.Inreality,theBillwasa
threattopatriarchyonwhichtraditionalfamilystructure,wasboundedandthatwasthe
majorreasonsbehindtheopposition.Therefore,ontheeveofthefirstelectionsin1951
PrimeMinisterJawaharlalNehrudroppedtheBillbysayingthattherewastoomuch
opposition.OnthisissuethethenLawMinisterDr.Ambedkarresigned.Hisexplanations
forresignationshowhowtheparliamentofindependentIndiadepriveditswomencitizens
ofevenbasicrights.Hisresignationletterdated27thSeptember1951.
AlthoughmostoftheprovisionsproposedbyAmbedkarwerelaterpassedduring195556
infourbillsonHindumarriagesuccession,minorityandguardianshipandmaintenances
andlaterin1976somechangesweremadeinHindulawitstillremainstruethatthebasic
rightsofwomenhaveyettoberestoredtothemevenafterfiftyyearsoftheworkingofthe
IndianConstitutionbasedontheprincipleofliberty,equalityandjusticetoallIndian
citizens.However,theHinducodeBillhelpedtheresurgenceoffeministmovementin
India.ThiscrusadeofAmbedkartoemancipatewomenfrominjusticeinspiresthewomen
leaderinparliamenttokeeptheissuealiveuntilitsenactment.Thiswasthestartingpoint
forwomentorecognizetheirpositionandpursuerightsmovementbyacquiringstrength
fromsecondwavefeminismstartedintheearly1960s.Womenarestillfightingissuessuch
asrape,dowrydeath,communalism,fundamentalism,sexualharassment,violence
domesticandsocial,povertyandsoon.
TheparinirvanofDr.BabaSahebAmbedkarwhowasrecognizedinternationallyasa
crusaderagainstcastesystem,avigilantfighterforthehumanrightsofalltheoppressed
andenslavedandtheemancipatorofhumanityfromsocialandeconomicinjustice,occurred
on6thDecember1956.Inthecondolencemessage,onAmbedkardeathinParliament,
PrimeMinisterJawaharlalNehrusaid:Dr.BabaSahebAmbedkarwasasymbolofrevolt
againstalloppressivefeaturesoftheHindusociety.Hisdreamofsocietybasedongender
equalityisyettoberealizedandthereforehisthoughtsareimportantforthesocial
reconstructionthatfavourswomensempowerment.TheNationhonouredBabaSaheb
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AmbedkarbyofferingBharatRatnaposthumouslytohimwhichwasreceivedbyhiswidow
SavitaAmbedkarin1990.Dr.AmbedkarfoundationwassetupundertheMinistryof
SocialJusticeandEmpowermenton24thMarch1992forthepurposeofpromotingand
propagatinghisideologyofsocialjusticesoastoreachthecommonmasses.The
foundationimplementedSchemessuchasDr.AmbedkarNationalMemorial,Dr.
AmbedkarNationalPublicLibrary,Dr.AmbedkarChairsinUniversities/Institutions,Dr.
AmbedkarAwardforSocialUnderstandingandupliftmentofWeakerSectionsandtheDr.
AmbedkarInternationalAwardforSocialChange.
ConstitutionalProvisions
TheConstitutionofIndiacontainsvariousprovisions,whichprovideforequalrightsand
opportunitiesforbothmenandwomen.Thesalientfeaturesare:
Article14guaranteesthattheStateshallnotdenyequalitybeforethelawandequal
protectionofthelaws
Article15prohibitsdiscriminationagainstanycitizenonthegroundofsex
Article15(3)empowerstheStatetomakepositivediscriminationinfavourofwomenand
children
Article16providesforEqualityofOpportunityinmattersofpublicemployment
Article23prohibitstraffickinginhumanbeingsandforcedlabour
Article39(a)and(d)enjoinstheStatetoprovideequalmeansoflivelihoodandequalpay
forequalwork
Article42enjoinsupontheStatetomakeprovisionsforsecuringjustandhumane
conditionsofwork,andformaternityrelief
Article51A(e)imposesaFundamentalDutyoneverycitizentorenouncethepractices
derogatorytothedignityofwomen
Article243D(3)providesthatnotlessthan1/3rdofthetotalnumberofseatstobefilled
bydirectelectionineveryPanchayattobereservedforwomen,andsuchseatstobe
allottedbyrotationtodifferentconstituenciesinaPanchayat
Article243T(3)providesthatnotlessthan1/3rdofthetotalnumberofseatstobefilled
bydirectelectionineveryMunicipalityshallbereservedforwomenandsuchseatsmaybe
allottedbyrotationtodifferentconstituenciesinaMunicipality
Article243T(4)providesreservationofofficesofChairpersoninMunicipalitiesforSc,
ST,WomeninsuchmannerasthelegislatureofaState,maybylawprovide
InpursuanceoftheaboveConstitutionalprovisions,variouslegislativeenactmentshave
beenframedtoprotect,safeguardandpromotetheinterestsofwomen.Manyofthese
legislativeenactmentshavebeeninthesphereoflabourlawstoamelioratetheworking
conditionsofwomenlabour.
StepsTakenByTheGovernmentOfIndiaForWomensEmpowerment
Itistheeducationwhichistherightweapontocutthesocialslaveryanditis
theeducationwhichwillenlightenthedowntroddenmassestocomeup
andgainsocialstatus,economicbettermentandpoliticalfreedomDr.B.R.Ambedkar
EducationofWomen:
Educationtowomenisthemostpowerfulinstrumentofchangingtheirpositioninthe
society.Educationalsobringsaboutreductionininequalitiesandalsoactsasameansto
improvetheirstatuswithinthefamily.Inordertoencourageeducationofwomenatall
levelsandtodilutegenderbiasintheprovisionandacquaintanceofeducation,schools,
collegesandevenuniversitieswereestablishedexclusivelyforwomeninthecountry.To
bringmoregirlchildren,especiallyfrommarginalisedBPLfamilies,intothemainstreamof
education,Governmenthasbeenprovidingapackageofconcessionsintheformoffree
supplyofbooks,uniform,boardingandlodging,clothingforhostilities,middaymeals,
scholarships,freebycyclesandsoon.ManyuniversitiessuchasMotherTeresaWomen
UniversityhavebeenestablishedforthedevelopmentofWomenStudiesandtoencourage
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highereducationamongwomenandtheirsocialmobility.
Myfinalwordsofadvicetoyouareeducate,agitateandorganize,havefaithinyourself.
WithjusticeonoursideIdonotseehowwecanlooseourbattletomeisamatterofjoy.
Youmustabolishyourslaveryyourselves.Donotdependforitsabolitionupongodora
superman.
SelfHelpGroups:
SelfHelpGroupsaresmallhomogenousgroupsconsistingof1220womenfromBPL
familiesvoluntarilyorganisedtopromotesavings.Theyareselfmanagedgroupsofpoor
womenwhichprimarilycameintoexistencetomobilisefinancialresourcesthroughtheir
ownsavingsandlendthesameamongstthemselvestomeetthecreditneedsoftheir
members.
CapacityBuildingandSkillformation:
Inordertoimprovetheentrepreneurialabilityandskillofthewomen,Governmenthas
beenimpartingvarioustypesoftrainingdesignedtopromoteselfandwageemployment.
SkillUpgradationTrainingProgramme:
ProvisionofskilltrainingtowomeninSHGhasbeengivenrecognitionsoastoenable
themtostarttheirownincomegeneratingactivities.Thedurationofthetrainingandthe
costdependsonthenatureofthetradeselectedbythemembers.
Women&ChildDevelopment
Womensempowermentisanimportantagendainthedevelopmentefforts.Therehasbeen
significantshiftinapproachofthedistrictadministrationtowardsthedevelopmentof
women,especiallythepoor&theilliterate.
WorkingWomen'sHostel:
Toprovidesecuredaccommodationtotheworkingwomen,WorkingWomensHostelhas
beenestablishedatAngul&functioningsince1996.StateOldAgePension(SOAP)/
NationalOldAgePension(NOAP).
EmploymentAndWorkParticipationRate
Theworkparticipationrateindicatestoagreatextenttheeconomicempowermentof
womeninthesociety.Thestatusofwomenisintimatelyconnectedwiththeireconomic
position,whichinturndependsonopportunitiesforparticipationineconomicactivities.
Educationalongwithparticipationofwomeninworkforcehasbeenuniversallyrecognised
asanimportantelementintheadoptionofsmallfamilynorms,whichisessentialforfamily
planning.Therehasbeenaconsiderableimprovementintheentryofwomeninallsectors
ofemploymentinthecountry.
WomenAndPoliticalParticipation
Politicalequalitytoallchildrenregardlessofbirth,sex,colour,etcisoneofthebasic
premisesofdemocracy.Politicalequalityincludesnotonlyequalrighttofranchisebutalso
moreimportantly,therighttoaccesstotheinstitutionalisedcentresofpower.Thus,
politicalparticipationofwomenmeansnotonlyusingtherighttovotebutalsopower
sharing,codecisionmakingandcopolicymakingatalllevels.Theactiveparticipationof
womeninpoliticalsphereisintegraltoempowermentofwomenandhelpstobuilda
genderequalsocietyaswellastospeeduptheprocessofnationaldevelopment.
NationalCommissionForWomen
InJanuary1992,theNationalCommissionforWomenwassetupbyanActofParliament
withthespecificmandatetostudyandmonitorallmattersrelatingtotheconstitutionaland
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legalsafeguardsprovidedforwomen,reviewtheexistinglegislation,tosuggest
amendmentswherevernecessary,andsafeguardtherightsandentitlementsofwomen.The
CommissionextendfinancialsupporttoNGOsandeducationalinstitutionstoconductlegal
awarenessprogrammetoenablewomentobecomeawareoftheirrights.
Conclusion
Societyisinacontinuousprocessofevolution.Itwilltakeseveraldecadesforthese
imbalancestoberectified.Educationofbothmenandwomenwillleadtochangein
attitudesandperceptions.Itisnoteasytoeradicatedeepseatedculturalvalue,oralter
traditionthatperpetuatediscrimination.Lawcanonlybeaninstrumentofchange,thatmust
beeffectivelyused.Theabsenceofeffectivelawenforcement,resultsinlowratesof
conviction,whichinturnemboldensthefeelingthattheaccusedcangetaway.Itis
necessarythatdeterrentpunishmentsareprovidedinthestatute,andarestrictlyenforced.A
beginninghascertainlybeenmadeinurbanareas.Workingwomencontinuetoremain
primarilyresponsiblefortakingcareofhomeandchildrearing,inadditiontotheircareers.
Increasedstresshasmadethemmorepronetoheartandotherstressrelateddiseases.Hence,
itisnecessarytoimprovetheSupportSystemforworkingwomen.
Themarchtowardseliminationofgenderbiashastogoon,soastomakeitmeaningfulfor
thevastmajorityofwomeninthiscountry.Thereisagreaterrepresentationnowinthe
legislature,executiveandjudiciary.Indiaisoneofthefewcountriesintheworld,which
hashadawomanPrimeMinister.VariousStateshavefromtimetotime,hadwomenChief
Ministers.AwomanJudgeintheSupremeCourt,andintheHighCourts,hastodaybecome
thenorm.Womenhavecrossedmanybarriers,andheadvariousdepartmentsinlarge
multinationalstoday.AbeginninghasbeenmadeintheArmyalso,whenwomenarebeing
commissionedasSSCOfficers.The73rdand74thAmendmentstotheIndianConstitution
werebroughtaboutin1993,whichservedasabreakthroughtowardsensuringequalaccess
andincreasedparticipationinthepoliticalpowerstructure.TheproposedWomens
ReservationBilltoprovide33%reservationforwomenintheLokSabhaandState
Legislatureisnowunderconsideration.Theempowermentofwomeninurbanareasandthe
metropolisescannotbetheindicatorofgrowthinthecountry.Inacountry,whereeighty
percentofthepopulationisinruralareas,untilthelotofwomenintheseareasisalsonot
improvedsimultaneously,developmentwillremainanillusiontothem.Thestatusof
womencannotberaisedwithoutopeningupopportunitiesofindependentincomeand
employment.Intheruralareas,employmentofwomenisconcentratedmainlyinlabour
intensive,unskilledjobswheresimpleortraditionalskillsarerequired.Thereislackof
accesstovocationalinstitutions.
Womenintheruralareasarewhollyobliviousoftheirrights.Itwillrequireamuchgreater
andconcertedeffortforthevariousmeasurestobecomealivingrealityforwomeninthe
ruralareas.ThiscanhappenonlythroughthecollectiveeffortoftheState,NGOs,
impartingofformalandinformaleducation,throughthemedia,etc.Empowermentof
womensoastoenablethemtobecomeequalpartnerswiththeirmalecounterpartssothat
theyhavemutualrespectforeachotherandsharetheresponsibilitiesofthehomeand
financesshouldbetheultimategoalthatwemustaspiretoachieve.Enforcementofbasic
humanrightsofgenderequalitymusttakeplace,withoutunderminingtheinstitutionand
sanctityofmarriage,andfamily.
References
#Ahir,D.C.TheLegacyofAmbedkar,Delhi1990.
#Ambedkar,B.R.WomenandCounterRevaluation.RiddlesofHinduWomeninDr.
BabaSahebAmbedkar:WritingsandSpeech,Vo.3,DepartmentofEducation.
#Chirakarode,Paul:Ambedkar:BudhikaVikasobhathinteAgnijwala,DalitBooks,
Thiruballa,1993.
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#ConstitutionalLawofIndia,J.N.Pandey.
#EmpowermentofWomenAnArticlebyInduMalhotra,AnAdvocateofSupremeCourt
ofIndia.NyaydeepLawJournal.
#GovernmentofIndia:TheNationalPolicyfortheEmpowermentofWomen2001,
DepartmentofWomenandChildDevelopment,MinistryofHumanResource
Development,NewDelhi,2001.
#Gupta,U.P.Mohini,MakersofIndiaSeries.
#Haksar,Nandita,DemystificationofLawforWomen,LancerPress,NewDelhi.1986.
#InduMalhotra,AdvocateSupremeCourt,Womenempowerment.
#Jatava,D.R.,B.R.AmbedkarAVisiononMan&Morals.
#Limaye,Champa:WomenPowerandProgress,B.R.PublishingCorporation,NewDelhi,
1999.
#Mathew,Thomas:Ambedkar:ReformorRevolution,SegmentBooks,NewDelhi,1991.
#Ranga,M.L.,B.R.Ambedkar,hislife,workandrelevance.
#Sahay,LalitK.,Dr.B.R.AmbedkarManofMillenium.
#Samyukta.info/site/node/225.
#Sharma,SanjayParkashDr.B.R.AmbedkarACrusaderofSocialJustice.
#TheNationalPolicyfortheEmpowermentofWomen,2001.
#TheriseandfallsoftheHinduWomen,TheMahabodhi(Calcutta),59.56,139151,
1950.AryaSudha,WomenGenderEqualityandtheState,DeepandDeepPublications,
NewDelhi.2000.
www.org/bss/Towardsthe.htm
#www.proutjournal.com/sepcialjustice.visitedon3rdApril2012.
*************
*AssistantProfessor,InstituteofLaw,KurukshetraUniversity,Kurukshetra.
Email:kavitakait@gmail.com
[1]www.proutjournal.com/sepcialjustice.visitedon3rdApril2012.
[2]www.org/bss/Towardsthe.htm..
[3]Samyukta.info/site/node/225.
[4]Jatava,D.R.,B.R.AmbedkarAVisiononMan&Morals,p.91.
[5]Ibid.p.
[6]TheNationalPolicyfortheEmpowermentofWomen,2001.
[7]TheNationalPolicyfortheEmpowermentofWomen,2001.
[8]Ibid.
[9]Sharma,SanjayParkashDr.B.R.AmbedkarACrusaderofSocialJustice.P.158,
ed.2003.
[10]Ibid.
[11]Gupta,U.P.Mohini,MakersofIndiaSeries.P.54,ed.1998.
[12]Ibid.
[13]Ibid.
[14]Ranga,M.L.,B.R.Ambedkar,hislife,workandrelevance,p.55,ed.
[15]Ibid.
[16]Ibid.
[17]Ibid.
[18]EmpowermentofWomenAnArticlebyInduMalhotra,AnAdvocateofSupreme
CourtofIndia.NyaydeepLawJournal.
[19]Ibid.
[20]Sahay,LalitK.,Dr.B.R.AmbedkarManofMillenium,p.219,ed.2010.
[21]Ibid.
[22]Ibid.
[23]Ibid.
[24]Ibid.
[25]Ibid.
[26]Ibid.
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[27]Ibid.
[28]Ibid.

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