Their dreams are not confined to the four walls of their homes. They reach out to the fields, to the markets, to the schools, and beyond. They are entrepreneurs, educators, innovators, and leaders. They are the unsung heroes who weave the vibrant socio-economic fabric of India.This journey of empowerment for each rural woman is a guiding light of transformation, and every village will mark a significant milestone on India’s road to advancement
A clarion call is echoing across the vast landscapes of India. It’s a movement that recognises the power of the ‘half population’ for ‘complete growth’. This movement is a testament to the indomitable spirit of rural women, who are not just the backbone of their families, but also the driving force behind India’s growth story.
Their dreams are not confined to the four walls of their homes. They reach out to the fields, to the markets, to the schools, and beyond. They are entrepreneurs, educators, innovators, and leaders. They are the unsung heroes who weave the vibrant socio-economic fabric of India. This journey of empowerment for each rural woman is a guiding light of transformation, and every village will mark a significant milestone on India’s road to advancement.
India, a nation celebrated for its rich cultural heritage and diverse population, finds itself on the cusp of remarkable economic growth. Nevertheless, the underutilisation of its female workforce presents a significant challenge. Currently, women’s economic contribution in India lingers at a mere 17% of the GDP, which falls significantly below the global average.
Our nation is characterised by a vast and varied populace, with approximately 70% residing in rural areas. Among these rural dwellers, women make up almost half of the workforce, particularly in the agricultural sector. However, rural women encounter a multitude of challenges and barriers that hinder their potential and opportunities.
They often lack access to education, healthcare, credit, technology, and markets. Moreover, they face gender discrimination, violence, and social exclusion. These factors not only impact their well-being but also impede the overall growth and development of the country.
Empowering rural women and providing them with equal opportunities is an essential step towards unlocking the nation’s complete economic potential. In India, agriculture engages nearly 80% of rural women, and harnessing their potential can spark a transformative shift towards economic prosperity.
Both the central and state governments have initiated efforts to elevate the status of women in society by creating livelihood opportunities and paid employments. Various schemes, including the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Program (PMEGP), National Livelihoods Mission, Deen Dayal Upadhayay Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY), Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Pradhan Mantri Matr Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), among others, have made substantial contributions to gender parity and the socio-economic empowerment of women in India.
Nevertheless, despite these concerted efforts, challenges persist. Gender disparity, particularly in rural India, serves as a glaring reminder of the persistent issue of gender discrimination. Women continue to grapple with financial exclusion, limited educational opportunities, inadequate healthcare, and sanitation facilities, among other challenges.
Empowering rural women in India stands as a critical component for enhancing India’s growth narrative. Empowering rural women signifies enabling them to partake in and reap the benefits of the economic, social, and political processes that shape their lives and communities. It also entails securing their rights, preserving their dignity, and amplifying their voices in the pursuit of a more inclusive and prosperous India.
The Ripple Effect of Empowering Rural Women
The economic empowerment of women is fundamentally connected to poverty alleviation, as they typically reinvest a substantial part of their income into their children’s education and the welfare of their community. The empowerment of rural women in India can trigger a ripple effect, lifting entire communities out of poverty.
Empowering rural women is not just about gender equality, but it’s also a strategic economic necessity. By offering these women equal opportunities and support, India can tap into its full economic potential. The advantages include improved food security, poverty reduction, and inclusive growth.
A study by SpringerLink, a popular platform for global researchers, discusses the economic empowerment of rural and urban women in India. The study indicates that rural women participate more in the workforce across all chosen dimensions compared to their urban counterparts, resulting in greater economic empowerment for rural women.
Likewise, the United Nations Women organization asserts that rural women are crucial players in achieving the transformational economic, environmental, and social changes needed for sustainable development. Their empowerment is not only vital to the well-being of individuals, families, and rural communities but also to overall economic productivity. This is particularly true considering women’s significant role in the agricultural workforce.
A report by NITI Aayog proposes that empowering rural women in agriculture and integrating them into the mainstream workforce can lead to a paradigm shift towards economic growth. It will boost food and nutrition security and reduce poverty and hunger. It’s a mutually beneficial strategy for achieving Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. It’s crucial for policymakers, organizations, and society at large to acknowledge the immense value that rural women contribute. Together, we can build a more prosperous future for all Indians where rural women serve as strong pillars of progress and change.
Empowerment of Poor Rural Women in India by the World Bank
The World Bank has been instrumental in empowering poor rural women in India. Over the past 15 years, it has invested over $3 billion to support state governments in their efforts to empower these women through self-help groups. These initiatives have provided 45 million poor women with access to essential skills, markets, and business development services.
Key highlights include-
- The World Bank has financed India’s JEEViKA program, which works exclusively with women from poor rural families and has transformed livelihoods in the state of Bihar.
- Between 2008 to 2018, the project mobilised almost 10 million rural women into self-help groups, granting them access to finance and markets to start and expand their businesses.
- The accomplishments of JEEViKA played a significant role in the initiation of the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) by the Indian Government in 2011. The NRLM, which received financial support from the World Bank, has expanded this model to all 30 states in India, impacting over 45 million women. These women have collectively saved US$1.4 billion and secured US$20 billion from commercial banks.
- Recognising the growing need for business advisory support and access to affordable and timely finance, the Government of India, along with the World Bank, is implementing a $500 million investment through the National Rural Economic Transformation Project (NRETP).
Their Voice Matters
The empowerment of rural women extends beyond merely offering job opportunities; it involves tackling the structural barriers that impede their advancement. The recent enactment of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam marks a significant step towards this goal, ensuring that women’s voices are not only heard but also influential in shaping the country’s policies and decisions. This is a clear indication that their voice indeed matters.
With women playing a more prominent role in policy-making, we can anticipate an increase in policies that focus on women, thereby boosting their contribution to the country’s economic growth. Enhancing access to quality education, healthcare, sanitation facilities, and ensuring their safety and security can create a ripple effect on women’s empowerment.
Empowering rural women is crucial for unlocking India’s economic potential. It necessitates a comprehensive approach that addresses both economic participation opportunities and structural barriers to progress. With combined efforts from the government, civil society, and individuals, we can ensure that rural women are not merely participants but also drivers of India’s growth narrative.
Empowering rural women in India can create a multiplier effect benefiting not only the women themselves but also their families, communities, and the entire nation. It can also contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aim to eradicate poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity for all by 2030. Therefore, empowering rural women in India is not just a moral obligation but also a smart strategy for growth and development.
The 3Rs approach
Recognising, Reducing, and Redistributing unpaid care work done by women – should be a fundamental aspect of policy-making to further enhance women’s economic empowerment. Political parties need to rethink how they structure their political promises. Schemes like ‘Nyay’, the recent election promise of Rs 10,000/- to the woman head of the family in Rajasthan by a leading political party, or the promise to pay for ‘household work’ to women by a political party led by Kamal Hasan are likely to create ripple effects capable of transforming India’s growth story.
While India’s economic growth shows promise, its full potential can only be realised by harnessing the power of its female workforce. By empowering women, especially those in rural areas, and providing them with equal opportunities, India can pave the way for a more inclusive and prosperous future.
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