“Woman must not accept; she must
challenge. She must not be awed by that which has been built up around her; she
must reverence that woman in her which struggles for expression” - Margaret Sanger
Women
have been always treated as second rated citizens all across the globe despite
the fact that they numerically constitute about half the world population
today. The scenario is almost the same irrespective of a developed or a
developing country. This situation has caused immense loss to their
self-dignity as human beings and also their independent entities, associated
with men, apart from other matter, in context with intellectual and
professional capability. In the very beginning of civilization, women enjoyed a
respectable position in society-at par with men. They took part in socio
economic activities. But gradually as women became more and more dependent on
men for their basic necessities of life, they started losing their position in
the society.
It
was in the recent past that the society started realising the importance of
women and the effect of women empowerment on the socio economic condition of a
country. In Shakespeare's works, many
female characters are portrayed as being manipulated, if not controlled
outright by the men in their lives as fathers, uncles, suitors, husbands.
Therefore, Shakespeare's works appear to send mixed singles regarding the
notion of female empowerment. Empowerment has multiple, interrelated and
interdependent dimensions economic, social, cultural and political. It can be
understood in relation to resources, perceptions. relationship and power. But
what does women empowerment mean? Women empowerment generally has three components
: firstly, women's sense of self worth; secondly, their right to have the power
of control their own lives, both within and outside home; and lastly, their
ability to influence the direction of social change to create a just social and
economic order nationally, internationally and universally.
The
principle of gender equality is enshrined in the Indian Constitution in its
Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties and Directive Principles.
There has been policy shifts from time to time
based on the shifts in emphasis. While the focus earlier was welfare and
development of women, now the focus is on ‘women’s empowerment’. In fact, the
year 2001 was declared as “Women’s Empowerment Year” to bring greater focus on
the programmes for women.
Some
qualities have to be acquired by women to become truly empowered. They must be
aware about risk prevailing at home, in work place, in travelling and staying
outside home. They should have political, legal, economic and health awareness.
They should set goals for future and
strive to achieve them with courage.
Thus it is not just the
responsibility of the society or the government alone, every women should stand
strong and fight for her rights if they are taken away from her and hence use
her rights and power to the maximum extent so that it benefits the entire
nation and in turn the whole world. I
would like to conclude with the following poem,
The
Empowered Woman, she moves through the world
with
a sense of confidence and grace.
Her
once reckless spirit now tempered by wisdom.
Quietly,
yet firmly, she speaks her truth without doubt or hesitation
and
the life she leads is of her own creation.
She
now understands what it means to live and let live.
How
much to ask for herself and how much to give.
She
has a strong, yet generous heart
and
the inner beauty she emanates truly sets her apart.
Like
the mythical Phoenix,
she
has risen from the ashes and soared to a new plane of existence,
unfettered
by the things that once that posed such resistance.
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