How women empowerment scheme can help build an egalitarian society

With mankind rising up the progress ladder, gender disparities have ironically ascended too. Although waves of reforms have helped women overcome gender injustices, their effectiveness is subjected to judgements, and refinements.

Granting women the status they deserve, gender-sensitive issues, and women empowerment schemes are helping turn their bleak cry into a voice of power. Breaking the social, cultural confinements, and assisting women in their journey towards gender equality, various women empowerment schemes have been set in place.

The schemes are substantial efforts to strengthen the position of women through public, and private intervention. Here are some of the key issues that women empowerment schemes reflect upon:

1. Sexual, and Reproductive Rights

Some schemes are solely dedicated to create awareness about of sexual, and reproductive rights. Sexual rights give an individual the freedom from discrimination based on their gender or sexual orientation. Protecting an individual’s right to liberty and , bodily integrity, the schemes promote equal gender participation in our society. Other aspects covered are:

• Safe and legal abortion
• Consciousness raising efforts
• Sexual and health rights for transgender community

2. Freedom from violence, and coercion

Violence can be in any form, physical or mental. Women, for years have been abused, suppressed, and violated. The women empowerment schemes state that freedom from violence and coercion is a basic right that has to be recognized. The schemes help fund efforts to overthrow repressive government laws.

3. Economic justice

There has been a lot of focus on awareness of women rights in the past decade, however, the real progress has been limited. Women empowerment schemes can help implement economic justice, and bring support in overcoming structural, and economic barriers. Key focus is on:

• Equal access to resources, and opportunities
• Non-discriminatory pay-scale
• Promoting women to take leadership roles, and increase participation in decision-making

4. Discovering areas of gender reform

Reviewing the lines of social conservatism and their predominance in the  society, women empowerment schemes emphasize on promoting gender equalities, and work towards bringing a change. It helps empower all women who have chosen not to remain silent.

Listed below are some of the women empowerment scheme, motivated towards building a conducive future:

• Mahila E-haat

Initiated by the Ministry of Women and Child Development to support women entrepreneurs, Self Help Groups (SHGs) and Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Mahila E-haat collaborated the “Digital initiative” with women upliftment.

• One Stop Centre Scheme (OSC)

Set under the “Nirbhaya” fund, OSC provides safety, and referral services to women afflicted by violence. Under the initiative, relief centers at several locations have been set up for providing shelter, legal aid, and medical counselling services, along with a 24 hour Helpline.

• Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao

A social campaign run by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao aims at reducing female foeticide, and promoting education.

• Support to Training and Employment Programme (STEP) for Women

Providing resources, and guidance to both rural and urban women, the programme aims at making them acquire necessary skills for better employment opportunities. Its main objective is to mobilize women in viable groups, and train them to increase their competence.

• Women helpline scheme

A toll-free 24-hours telecom service has been arranged for women through this scheme. Victims can seek support, and information through the service. Police, Hospitals, Ambulance services, District Legal Service Authority (DLSA)/Protection Officer (PO) are available to intervene at all times of crisis.

Women are truly a force to be reckoned with. The women empowerment schemes are indeed a robust effort to help strengthen their position in the society. They provide a platform to help women raise their voice. As it is rightly said by Melinda Gates” A woman with a voice is, by definition, a strong woman,” and that will eventually build a strong nation.