(Sample Material) Gist of Important Articles from IIPA Journal
Topic: Women and Empowerment Shanta Kohli Chandra
INTRODUCTION
Empowerment in its simplest form means the manifestation of redistribution of power that challenges patriarchial ideology and the male dominance. It is both a process and the result of the process. It is transformation of the structures or institutions that reinforces and perpetuates gender discrimination. It is a process that enables women to gain access to, and control of, material as well as informational resources. The concept of women’s empowerment, throughout the world, has its roots in women’s movement. It is since the mid 1980s that this term became popular in the field of development, especially in reference to women. In India, it is the Sixth Five Year Plan (1980-85) which can be taken as a landmark for the cause of women. It is here that the concept of ‘women and development’ was introduced for the first time. It was realised that no more piecemeal strategies but an integrated approach would deliver the desired goods. The realistic and regenerative developmental efforts in the direction of progress, in terms of economic independence for women and educational advancement of them is what would answer the basic questions raised for empowering women.
Need for Change in the Right Direction Participation in Decision-Making
Gender discrimination is a universal phenomenon. Both inside and outside the households women are excluded from positions of power. They are denied opportunities to participate in the decision-making process. Even when the decisions are to affect their well-being, they are only passive observers. The primary challenge facing women today, therefore, is to increase their participation so that they get hold of the situation and become actively involved in the process of decision-making.