Gender Inequality
Meaning: It means differentiation between males and females
with regards to access and availability of basic development indicators:
health, education, livelihood and participation in economic
and political spheres of life etc.
Although the Constitution of India grants equal rights to
all and prescribes no differentiation between men and women.
But the inequality towards women as well as transgenders are
seen moreover.
Causes: Gender inequality in India is a complex issue rooted
in socio-cultural, economic, and political factors.
Government Policies and Programs for Gender Equality
Over the years, the Indian government has taken significant
steps to address gender inequality. Initiatives such as:
1.The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961:
“It intended to receiving or giving of a dowry by either
party to the marriage either by parents or anyone else associated with
marriage”. It applies to people belonging to all religion in India.
2."Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao"
Launched in 2015
(Save the Daughter, Educate the Daughter) campaign focus on
improving female child survival rates(Sex ratio) and promoting education. And
challenging the gender discrimination.
Launched with initial funding ofRs.100 crore
Highlights
· It’s
focused on multi-sector action in 100 districts across the country with a low
CSR.
· Aims
at generating awareness about the importance of girl children and improving the
efficiency of welfare services intended for girls in India.
·
Working towards preventing female infanticide.
·
Under the BBBP scheme, even district-level education officials must ensure that
the benefit of free elementary education reaches all the girls in their area.
3.The Mahila Shakti Kendra
Launched in 2017
The Mahila Shakti Kendra initiative seeks to empower rural
women through community participation and awareness generation.
Through involvement of Student Volunteers for empowerment of
rural women.
To create an environment for women where they have access to
healthcare, quality, education, guidance, employment, etc.
To facilitate these opportunities at the block and district
level in the country.
4.Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana encourages parents to save
for their daughters' education and marriage expenses through a government backed saving.
The program encourages them to build a fund for future
education and marriage expenses for their female child.
Parents can start saving early as the minimum amount of
investment required is small, and the account is active for 14 years from the
date of opening the account
Launched in 2015
Highlights
· It has tax benefits and
an interest rate of 9.1%.
· It
is meant for girls under the age of 10 years.
· You
can start the account with just Rs 1,000.
· The
maximum deposit is Rs 1,50,000 per year
5.Mahila E-Haat
Launched in 2016
An online marketing platform, by government of India.
To support women entrepreneurs.
Participation in e-Haat is open to all Indian women citizens
more than 18 years of age
6.Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana
Offers financial assistance to small businesses, including
those led by women.
The scheme facilitates micro credit/Loan up to Rs. 10 lakhs
to income generating micro enterprises.
7.The Ujjwala Scheme
Addresses the health and well-being of women from Below
Poverty Line (BPL) households by providing free LPG connections, reducing
indoor air pollution caused by traditional cooking methods.
Shiksha Abhiyan is a government initiative launched
by then Indian Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India (now
Ministry of Education) in 2018. The program aims to provide quality education
and enhance learning outcomes for all school going children in India.
8.Sakhi Centres to offer integrated support services
to women affected by violence, and the Swadhar Greh initiative provides shelter
and rehabilitation services to women in distress.
9.Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan
The SMSA recognizes the importance of educating girls in
achieving gender equality and social development
10.National Programme for Education of Girls at
Elementary Level (NPEGEL)
NPEGEL (National Programme for Education of Girls at
Elementary Level) is one of the various initiatives taken by government for
providing better opportunities to girls to be educated.
The prime objective of NPEGEL was to develop cluster wise
model schools to have better community engagement and connect for enhancing the
enrolment of girls in schools.
11.1Mahila Samakhya
The core focus of Mahila Samakhya was to empower women
through education and awareness. Mahila Samakhya developed a collective space
(Sangha) for women to discuss important issues of their lives.
Trained field facilitators were also provided to rural women
to help them to acquire decision making and leadership abilities. Under this
programme few alternative structures like Nari Adalats, Counselling Centres,
Sanjeevani Kendras/Herbal Medicine and information centers were also developed
for women. This programme alone trained over six lakh women in various areas.
12.KGBVs Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya
(KGBVs) was introduced by government of India in 2004. This
Scheme is about setting up residential schools at upper primary level for girls
belong to disadvantaged sections of the educationally backward blocks (EBBs) in
the country.
Educationally backward blocks are the regions where female
rural literacy is below national average and the gender gap in literacy is
above the national average. This scheme provided 75% reservation for SC, ST,
OBC and Minority communities.
13.Support to Training and Employment Programme for Women
(STEP)
To provide skills that give employability to women.
To benefit women in the age group of 16 and above in the
country.
14.The "Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana"
provides financial support to pregnant women. Additionally, legal reforms,
including amendments to laws related to sexual harassment and domestic
violence, have strengthened women's rights.
NON
GOVT INITIATIVES
A Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) is a non-profit,
voluntary group or institution that operates independently of the government
and addresses various social, environmental, or humanitarian issues.
NGO has significant role to play alongside government in
improving the status of womens ~ Jenny Shipley
NGOs play a crucial role in promoting development,
advocating for human rights.
NGOs have played a pivotal role in advancing gender equality
in India.
Activities
Seminars
Rallies
Plays
Documentries
Compaigns
1.Proper development of skills:
The main focus is always poured on the women’s skills and
pieces of training in their development. For the appropriate development of the
women, they need to improve their social as well as economic status. The NGOs
help women use their skills and make up a startup business for themselves,
which will enhance their financial status easily and help them get social.
2.Legal awareness:
Women with no educational background are often unaware of
their rights and how they can use them to help themselves. NGOs give them the
proper education that they need and make sure they are aware of all the rights
so that they will not tolerate it if they are discriminated at all.
3.Forming Self Help Groups: It has specific number of
members15-20
Formed by private org, state govt or community
Gather womens and orient the women and help to prepare SHG.
4.Awareness programme:
NGO serves as bridge to overcome the gap between awareness and govt schemes. Awareness can be legal or health
5.Celebrate Days:
Celebrate national and international days related to womens
and girls
Int Womens day-8 march
Women interpreneurship day etc.
6.Women Health and Awarenes:
7.Employment:
Skills for stitching, Bag making, Embroidary etc.
8.Health and Well-being
9.Ensuring the health and well-being of women is of
paramount importance. NGOs organize health camps that offer medical check-ups
and services to women in remote and underserved areas. They also conduct
awareness programs about reproductive health, maternal care, and nutrition.
This work has a profound impact on reducing maternal mortality rates and
improving women’s overall health.
10.1Ending Violence Against Women
One of the most challenging issues in the fight for gender
equality is ending violence against women. NGOs are at the forefront of this
battle, offering shelter and support to women who have experienced violence.
They also engage in advocacy efforts to change social norms and create a safer
environment for women.
11.1SEWA
SEWA have been instrumental in enabling women in the
informal sector to gain decision-making power over their economic activities.
By organizing women into self help groups and cooperatives,
SEWA provides them with a platform to collectively make decisions regarding
their finances, access to credit, and overall livelihoods. This empowers women
by giving them a voice in shaping their economic destinies and enables them to
challenge traditional gender roles.
Organizations like the Self-Employed Women's Association
(SEWA) empower women in the informal sector. NGOs like Breakthrough run
innovative campaigns to combat gender-based violence, challenging societal
norms.
2.1The Nanhi Kali project has supported the education
of underprivileged girls. These organizations provide essential services,
advocacy, and community engagement to address gender disparities
113.Centre for Social Research (CSR) has taken
proactive steps to enhance women's decision-making abilities through leadership
training workshops and political empowerment initiatives. By equipping women
with the necessary skills and knowledge, CSR enables them to actively
participate in local governance and decision-making bodies. This not only
fosters a sense of agency and self-confidence among women but also contributes
to the overall democratization of decision-making processes at the grassroots
level.
14.Women on Wings collaborate with social enterprises
in rural areas to create employment opportunities for women. By actively
involving women in decision-making processes related to business activities,
Women on Wings empowers them economically and socially. Through business
mentoring, training, and support, women entrepreneurs gain the skills and
knowledge required to make strategic decisions that contribute to the growth
and sustainability of their enterprises. This not only enhances their economic
independence but also empowers them to challenge gender stereotypes and break
through traditional barriers.
15.NGOs like The Hunger Project and Pradan focus on
rural development and poverty alleviation. Through their programs, they empower
marginalized women by enhancing their decision-making abilities and leadership
skills. By facilitating the formation of women's self-help groups and providing
them with access to credit and livelihood opportunities, these organizations
enable women to participate in decision-making processes related to community
development and resource allocation. This active involvement empowers women to
influence decisions that impact their lives and communities positively.
16.Jagori work towards creating safe and empowering
spaces for women to participate in decision making. Through training programs,
workshops, and awareness campaigns, Jagori promotes women's leadership and
decision-making in various domains, including politics, education, and community
development. By breaking down societal barriers and challenging gender biases,
Jagori enables women to exercise their agency, voice their opinions, and
actively shape policies and decisions that affect them
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