Women's Empowerment in India: It’s Importance and Challenges

Abstract

Women empowerment refers to enabling women to have control over their lives, make choices and decisions, and have equal access to resources and opportunities. It involves creating an environment where women can participate in society and the economy on an equal footing with men, and where their voices are heard and their rights are protected. Women's empowerment can take many forms, including education, economic, political, and social. Ultimately, women's empowerment aims to create a world where women have the power and freedom to live their lives, without discrimination or limitations based on gender. In early Vedic period Women enjoyed equal status with men. Rigved & Upanishads mention several names of women sages and seers notably Gargi & Maitrey. However later the status of women began to deteriorate approximately from 500 B.C., the situation worsened with invasion of Mughals and later on by European invaders. Feminist activism picked up momentum in India during later 1970’s. Later on Many groups and NGO’s have been working for the Empowerment of women. We are proud that in India Women got voting right much before USA and some other European countries.