The Economic Survey 2022-23 has thrown light on the empowering Women’s Movement in India. The progressively vibrant movement is a testament to the evolving position of women in the Indian society over the years. The survey provides a detailed evolution of the movement, including the roles of Self Help Groups (SHGs) in India and the changing image of women in the country.
Nationalist Movement: The Rise of Women’s Participation (1936-1970s)
Back in the days, women played a vibrant role in the nationalist movement. The call given by Mahatma Gandhi to the All India Women’s Conference in 1936 stands as a milestone. Women were not just followers but the face of the movement, sparking a change in the political history of the country. The arrest of women satyagrahis during the Salt Satyagraha and the Quit India movement paved the way for women’s leadership in politics.
Rights-Based Civil Society Movement: The Mobilization (1970s-2000s)
Moving from the nationalist phase, the rights-based civil society movement began in the 1970s. This era signified a shift towards sensitizing women about their rights. One of the significant victories of this phase was the passing of the 73rd Amendment to the Constitution which reserved one-third of seats in Panchayat and local bodies for women.
Other notable events include the Chipko Movement which protested against deforestation and the Self Employed Women’s Association’s advocacy for reforms in legal and social protection for women.
State-Led Movement for Economic Empowerment: Current Era(2000s-present)
The recent state-led economic empowerment movement focuses on financial independence for women. The government has been actively promoting SHGs with the intent of enhancing women’s access to income-generating activities. These groups play a pivotal role in overcoming the scarcity of vocational skills and entrepreneurship among women.
Understanding Self Help Groups (SHG)
SHGs can be described as informal alliances of people with similar socio-economic backgrounds who come together to improve their living conditions. These groups, mainly functioning as thrift and credit institutions, encourage self-employment and poverty alleviation. They also work as a collective guarantee system for members who propose to borrow from organised sources.
Women’s Movement: The Future
The efficacy of the state-led movement in transforming women’s lives through economic empowerment programs will steer the future direction of the Women’s Movement in India. The focus will likely be on scaling these programs to reach the grassroots level and effect substantial change.
In the end, it all boils down to how well we adapt to these changes and continue to push for more significant reforms that help in the further advancement of women in our society. Empowering women is not just about giving power to women; it’s about changing how society perceives that power in them.