Abstract:
The tradition and culture of any nation is defined by the women of that nation. In Swami Vivekananda's words, "Without improving the condition of women, the welfare of the world is not possible; a bird cannot fly with a feather." Therefore, society will not develop until the woman is healthy and fully empowered. When we make women realize special rights and duties in terms of authority of power or ability. And giving them the ability to take decisions or implement policy on issues related to society or community, then this process indicates women power. The meaning of empowerment extends to providing power, ability to perform mental or physical activities. The self-development of women in the present indicates their empowerment. This paper outlined the feminism with different perspective of feminist, and presents the needs of women empowerment in reference of astounding literature.
Key words: Women empowerment, Feminism approach, patriarchy system, Gender Inequality.
Feminism liberation is a development and procedure of advancing women's privileges as they were once seen as a second class citizen. Women empowerment is a piece of the way toward promoting the privileges of women. Indian women were fully empowered and participative in the Vedic period, in the medieval period, due to the social practices such as purdah system, polygamy, sati, child marriage and prohibition on widow re-marriage blocked the development of women. After the arrival of the British government, there was little change in the status of women in Indian society, widow marriage was stopped and women got the right to divorce. As soon as the beginning of the 20th century, social reformers (Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Swami Dayanand Saraswati, Mahatma Gandhi) worked for their revival, the purdah system and sati system were abolished and women were brought to an end. Demands for equal rights for women were started. After the independence, there was a revolutionary change in the status of women, westernization; secularization has contributed greatly in upgrading the social, economic and political status of women, promotion of women's education and the Hindu Marriage Act (1956) Played a vital role in making women empowered. Hence, various steps were taken after independence for women's empowerment, But at the international level, women empowerment initiative was taken up in Nairobi (Kenya) in 1985 AD, in which women are equal to men in the legal, educational, political, physical, mental, social and economic sectors and their should be freedom to decide families, communities, society and in the cultural background of the nation. The 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments provided 33 percent reservation to women in the Panchayati Raj. At present, women constitute 8.3 percent in Lok Sabha and 11.2 percent in Rajya Sabha.
In feminist studies, Brifault first discussed all aspects of woman in a book called 'The mother', in which Robin Fox described the man as connected to society and woman with nature and Parsons described the man as mechanical Role and woman have been linked to emotional role, so studies on various issues related to women at international level have done. Various types of studies related to women empowerment have been done globally in India. Some studies are related to methodological issues, while some study women empowerment in principle. Various social reformers, sociologists, politicians, etc. have given their different perspectives and approaches on women empowerment, but all studies were aimed at understanding and analyzing the status of women in society. Feminism is not a new concept even the father of our constitution Dr.Bhimrao Ambedkar had already put many efforts on the issue of women equality to maintain solidarity in the society. Before understanding women empowerment under the literature review, it is necessary to know how the feminist approach defines the status of women in conformity with the society.
Feminist approach
Feminism fully supports the rights of women because the status of women in patriarchal society has always been counterproductive and has always been considered subordinate and patriarchal society is such an arrangement of social structure where women are exploited by men. Those who believe in the feminist approach say that gender inequality is not a biological feature, but it is a social system. Women are always exploited as a result of patriarchal social order and the patriarchal system is universal as it is seen in every culture and system. Reformed Feminism says that in a nuclear family, women are exploited because here they are without any domestic payment. Works as a laborer and depends on the man for her needs. According to the reformist Feminism perspective, the status of women can be improved only when the patriarchal system is completely abolished. According to the Marxist feminism perspective, capitalism can be eliminated by eliminating the system and inequality in the status of women. Liberal Feminism Following the reasons of patriarchal society and capitalism on the issue of female inequality, the liberal approach has taken the basis of cultural gender bias and low status of gender based labor division at home and employment. According to the liberal perspective, if women are given equal opportunities as men in social and legal ways, their condition can improve. The main three aspects of feminism:
1. Different feminism assumes that women can do all the things that men do in society.
2. Liberal feminism assumes that both men and women are equal. they strongly refuted the boycott of women's power over authority and assumed that women can not only be a school teacher doctor or a nurse, but they can also be a leader, politician and as a soldier. This aspect opposes the traditional female status.
3. Postmodern feminism believes that women are not just passive spectators or victims, but they can actively participate as men.
Women empowerment vs. feminism: These two words are different from each other but not opposed. Feminism is a philosophy that aims to find out the reasons for the special status of women in society and present an alternative solution for its improvement, while women empowerment is a movement, an action, a plan, a process that is mainly carried out by the government and NGOs. Indian society is still a feudalistic society and the biggest problem facing women here was antiquity, due to which they had almost equal rights other than civil rights.
Socialist feminism theorized that the domestic work done by women is very important in the development of capitalism, while it is not considered as an unacceptable work, according to them, in which domestic work benefits capitalism in the following way - because Workers working in industries have their work done by providing food and happiness to them at the appropriate time by the housewives Increase workers capacity so that they can participate actively in the production process.
Political and social approach
Maitrai Chaudhary has described the period 1914-1927 as the golden period for women, as women's organizations emerged in the early 20th century and women's participation in politics increased. In 1828, Raja Ram Mohan Roy campaigned to stop the practice of sati to improve the condition of women and sati practice was the first issue against the exploitation of women which got more public support. The rise of organizations such as the Women's India Association (WIA) and the National Council of Women in India (NCWI) was aimed at making women aware of the progress and rights of women. When the Women's Indian Association was established in 1917, its first attempt was to organize women at the national level. Annie Besant, who was the father of this organization, focused on women's suffrage and women's education because it was these dimensions that enabled women to participate actively in politics. This organization raised issues related to gender inequality prevalent in the society and made women aware that the future of India is in their hands.
Desai and Thakkar (2001) have discussed the political participation of women and considered women's legal rights and education as a means of their empowerment. It is mainly stated that social changes only affect the situation of women. Desai and Thakkar have considered the work being done by the women in organized and unorganized sectors valuable to the family, society and the state, but they believe that these tasks always remain invisible.
Sharma and Agarwal (2011) have discussed new dimensions of women empowerment in social, political and economic perspective during their work (Women Empowerment). They have considered women's participation in politics as the basis of their empowerment. She has mentioned about the goal of liberal feminists that women empowerment is possible when the legal, economic and social dependence of women on men is ended and they should get freedom and appropriate opportunities for their education and training. Malik (2011) has studied women empowerment from the perspective of human rights. These rights ensure and protect the status of women in society as well as her human dignity. Human rights of women are also included in the acceptance of fundamental rights and human rights all over the world. Women’s participation in politics as women's empowerment and their self-reliance as an important issue of empowerment. Which is directly related to the various women workers working in the unorganized sector because their economic dependence on men is ending with the economic work being done by women and their places in the social structure (family, group etc.) are also changing? This presents a positive example of their empowerment. Such characteristics, which were considered to be the monopoly of men, women have started adopting all those characteristics and are growing on the path of confidence by accepting every challenge and struggle. Women who had reached to the top of every field set an example:
| NAME | FIELD ACHIEVEMENT |
|---|---|
| Asha purna devi | Gyan Peeth Award |
| Dr. Prema mukherjee | First Indian Female Surgeon |
| Indira Gandhi | First Woman Prime Minister of India |
| Kiran Bedi | First woman IPS |
| Kamaljeet sandhu | Gold medalist in Asian Games |
| Dr.Ashiya Chatterjee | President of Indian Science Congress |
| Nargis Dutt | Indian actress receiving International Award |
After independence, the Indian Constitution provides women the right of women respect, equality and protection against injustice and exploitation, as a result of which women can highlight their role in social development. It has been observed that the number of women workers is participating in Gram Panchayat, Zilla Panchayat, Zilla Parishad and Municipalities, therefore their confidence building in them is increasing and ways of working of political institutions are also improving.
Sen Suvarna discussed gender empowerment of women and their participation in the decision-making process in politics. Gender inequality is a barrier to women's empowerment, but her ability to make political decisions has been described as positive for empowerment. According to data obtained from studies of 1977 and 1999, 55 percent of women in India were ahead of men in politics and voting, and in the 1990s, about one million women participated in rural panchayat elections and municipal elections. And all this has been possible only as a result of 73rd and 74th amendments.
Deshpande and Sethi (2009), have critically studied the role of women empowerment in Indian society and the position of women in society in the context of society that in the absence of their self-consciousness, women are differentiated into family, public space and work. Due to this, they are not able to make their status in the society like men. They believe that women need to be physically healthy only then they will be able to challenge themselves to get equality. They have created the main five elements of women empowerment, the first being to know their own abilities, the right to control their own lives, social freedom at home and outside and the most important element that empowers a woman, that she You have the ability to bring changes in society through your influence and guidance. Whether this change is social, economic, national or international, in his research work, he has described the social approach as important for women empowerment. Which mainly studies women’s right to property, stratification system and its ideologies in the social system. In the employment sector, women do the same thing as men but they are differentiated in income or survival distribution but in the absence of their self-consciousness Women do not raise their voice for their rights.
Sethuraman (2008), Parashar (2004), during his research work has discussed the issue of women empowerment by linking it with malnutrition, for which he has studied the tribal and rural communities of South India. He believes that women empowerment Shortage is an important cause of child malnutrition. During her work, she has related to women's empowerment with domestic violence and child growth. He explained the concept of women empowerment, stating that a strong woman is one who has the ability to make her own decisions whether decisions are related to her family, her employment, income, household expenses, reproduction, marital relations and her freedom. If there is interest, along with the issues of men and women in his house, his position on property, etc. also determine the nature of his empowerment. . They believe that an educated and empowered woman gives proper food to her child which contributes significantly to the problem of malnutrition in the society. According to Grover, empowerment is a multi-dimensional process that enables women to experience their identity and draw out their hidden abilities and strengths. They have considered women farmers as the backbone in the agriculture sector. They believe that women contribute the most in agricultural activities. She has used theoretical and empirical approaches in the issue of women empowerment and has described education and training as an important way to expand women empowerment in developing countries.
Hazira Kumar (2005) has associated women empowerment with their welfare, development and awareness. According to him, gender discrimination or gender inequality can be eliminated only as a result of empowerment. According to him only welfare and development can enhance empowerment in women. He described a close relationship between development and empowerment. Development means the increase in per capita income of the country, that is, it is the responsibility of our country to make plans for the weak, oppressed and underprivileged section of the society in such a way that their economic, social, educational and political development. As a result of these welfare schemes, women should get employment opportunities, equal rights to men and women in the society, in the family and throughout the country. Empowerment is a positive process that cannot be done externally but for this, the woman has to become aware of herself. This process can be understood in two ways: -
1. Under empowerment, through an external process, to create an environment or situation in society in which a woman is able to achieve autonomy or self-government.
2. As a result of the process of self-empowerment, women critically examine their own lives.
In some parts of India, women are already empowered, whether they are educated or not, due to liberal customs and progressive traditions. In the tribal areas of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, widows have full rights over land, In Nairs tribes women have rights over traditional property. Most of the families in the Khasi tribe of the North East are matriarchal and daughters have the right to property. The women of the Khasi and Garo tribes mostly adopt traditional occupations such as farming and animal husbandry and have fulfilled their family responsibilities. Their influential role in the family strengthens their position in society.
Digumarti Bhaskar Rao (1991) considered women's access to elementary and higher education as the primary need for women's empowerment. Good facilities in education provide employment opportunities for women. Educated women are also more aware of themselves, believing that an educated woman marries lately than an uneducated woman. And educated and employed women are also aware about the number of their children after marriage. Hence fertility rate is also a demographic measure of women empowerment as educated women manage their lives systematically by keeping information on issues related to marriage, number of children and contraception. Education is, therefore, an effective strategy for enhancing women empowerment.
Ojha (2010) has discussed women education versus empowerment, considering various types of historical, cultural and social practices as inhibitors of female development which act to stop the process of development of women. According to him, the only possible treatment for this is education empowerment. Education is invaluable to attain knowledge and knowledge is a symbol of power. On the other hand, empowerment is a mental state which depends on internal and external circumstances, its fearlessness, the right to economic self-reliance decision, the right to equal men in power and property, and proper education to make the sum of all these. Therefore, the society will get full benefits of empowerment only. Women are practically fully educated.
Gautam (2008) has stated that the meaning of women empowerment is that women empowerment means family society and governance so that there is full participation of women in politics and related to the process of policy implementation. In this context, Michel Fuco's explanation is particularly notable. According to him, power and knowledge are the same and those who have knowledge have power and those who have power have knowledge. Knowledge gives birth to consciousness and women's empowerment is possible only when women are conscious of their rights and they have a sense of self-respect.
Jaitli and Sharma (2011), in their research work, have presented a glimpse of empowerment under the participation of women in women's movements in Rajasthan. They have reported that after the domination of princely states and jagirdars in Rajasthan, the feudal system was reduced to women. Opportunities came for them, education was promoted and discussion on their situation started and brainstorming among the women of Rajasthan. This was the beginning of a renaissance and empowerment. Anti-domestic violence by women, pride, anti-widow combustion campaign, anti-sexual violence campaign etc. shows the changed status of women in the society, how women get out of their families.
Soumya Banerjee (2009) considered empowerment to be a decentralization of rights and power, that is, participation in the decision-making process of the deprived section of society. women empowerment refers to a situation similar to that of men in which they can develop their own and for this it is imperative for men to give women opportunities and freedom. A large number of women and children are engaged in various types of activities like beedi making, incense sticks and bangle making, leather work and weaving, carving, etc. But only 3 percent of these women appear in the figures as laborers.
Jasprit Kaur Soni (2006) has highlighted education and economic self-reliance as the main fact of empowerment and economic freedom is essential for women. He has also termed women's participation in politics as essential for their all-round development. The literacy level of women in India is very low, According to statistical data, currently one in three women can neither read nor write, so the illiteracy among the woman is the main obstacle in their life, In short, education is very important for girls and women, only then they can be full participants in all the social, political and economic sectors of the society.
Juliet Mitchell is a social feminist writer, has talked about the salvation and advancement of women in how they are exploited in society. He compared the male dependence of women to the dependence of the workers on the bourgeoisie, according to him; there are many reasons which control the lives of women that is production, reproduction, gender discrimination, Socialization of children. According to you, the division of labor in society is related to biological gender differences. In his work Women Estate (1971), he has the same scientific concept of family and women as the reason for the exploitation of women in the capitalistic society because a girl is taught to be like her mother when she lives in the family, hence socialization of the girl It is with this belief that she has to live in her family in the same way as her mother lives. In short, it is clear from their concept that patriarchy and the capitalist system are responsible for the low status of women in society.
J. S. Mill has held the statutory and political rights responsible for the low status of women, he believes that women are not less than men because we underestimate them due to the behavior of women whereas men also have feelings like women have the quality of care etc. According to you, the rules, practices and legal system of society are responsible for their low status because they are deprived of educational and political rights like men. If we give women social and political rights like men, then our society will develop more.
Sheila Rowbotham (1993) has argued in her study that the capitalism system is the main cause of oppression of women, the ownership of men on the means of production and the patriarchal system maintains capitalism and under it compares women to men in remuneration payments. Discrimination is done. Under this system, women are not financially self-reliant laborers but are financially subject to men.
Kate Millet (1970) has stated in her study that when one group exerts pressure on another group, that relationship becomes political. They believe that a patriarchal system has existed in every civilization of history and women have always been discriminated against, deprived of proper education and they are considered as subordinate to men. They have stated that the patriarchal system is the main reason for the exploitation of women. And this system is deeply rooted in social institutions like religion, politics, economic, social caste class and our history and culture.
To sum up the studies highlight the feminist issues related to the division of labor and their low status in society and the present literature show how the exploitation of women in the labor market and at home is in the society. The gender differences are spreading their roots in the family and public sector. The society in which all units are interconnected and working together maintains balance in the society, in the same way, the society does not run only with women or only men, but as long as there is no gender equality in the society and discrimination and exploitation with women in the family and workplace will not be stopped. Till then, no family can progress in society and the nation, so women empowerment is possible only when men and women get socio-economic political and educational equal status in the society.
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