Women Empowerment and Schemes in India : A Study

Abstract

This paper attempts to analyze the need for women empowerment in India and highlights the methods and schemes for women empowerment. Empowerment is a key process of social development, which enables women to participate in economic, political and social sustainable development of rural communities. Today, women's empowerment has become one of the most important concerns of the 21st century, but in practice, women's empowerment is still an illusion of reality. Empowerment of women is essentially the process of uplifting the economic, social and political status of traditionally disadvantaged women in society. We see in our daily life how women become victims of various social evils. Women's empowerment is an important means of expanding women's capacity for resources and making strategic life choices. It is a process to protect them from all forms of violence. This study is purely based on secondary sources. Women in India are relatively powerless and enjoy somewhat lower status than men, despite many efforts by the government. It has been found that the acceptance of unequal gender norms by women is still prevalent in the society. The conclusion of the study is derived from the observation that provision of basic facilities and implementation of various schemes are enabling factors for women empowerment.