Women Empowerment in India: Issues, Government Schemes & Way Forward

Women’s empowerment is essential for achieving gender equality, inclusive growth and social development in India. It focuses on improving women’s access to education, employment, healthcare, political participation, resources and decision-making. Despite progress through constitutional provisions, government schemes and legal reforms, challenges such as gender discrimination, low workforce participation, violence, unpaid care work and political underrepresentation continue to persist. Pasted text

About Women Empowerment

• Women’s empowerment is the process by which women become aware of gender-based unequal power relationships and acquire a greater voice in which to speak out against the inequality found in the home, workplace, and community.
• Key Objectives
  • Capacity Building: Enable women to participate equally in societal activities and decision-making at all levels.
  • Equal Access to Resources: Promote affirmative action to ensure women have equal access to and control over resources and benefits (productive, reproductive, and community activities).
  • Safe & Equal Work Conditions: Achieve equality and ensure safe, respectful working environments for women.
  • Strengthening Organizations: Support women’s/development organizations to advocate for empowerment and gender equality.
  • Socio-Economic Reforms: Address systemic issues subordinating women (e.g., laws, education, political participation, violence, human rights).
  • Men’s Awareness: Educate men on the importance of gender equality for societal progress.

Role of Women in Various Sectors

Women in Politics & Governance

• Women in Parliament (2024): 13.6% representation in Lok Sabha (Global average ~26.5%).
  • Women’s Reservation Bill (2023) – Ensures 33% reservation in Parliament & State Assemblies (pending implementation).
• Women in Local Governance: 73rd & 74th Constitutional Amendments (1992): 33% reservation in PRIs & ULBs.
  • Some states like Bihar, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand have increased this to 50% reservation.

Women in Economy & Workforce

• Global Comparison: India’s FLFPR is lower than China (61%), the USA (57%), and Bangladesh (38%).
• Sectoral Distribution Agriculture: 76.2% rural women, 11.7% urban women.
  • Manufacturing: 8.3% rural women, 23.9% urban women.
  • Services: 6.9% rural women, 40.1% urban women​.
• Gender Pay Gap: Women earn 36.7% less than men (Global Gender Gap Report 2023).
  • Average daily wage: Women earn ₹287 (rural), ₹333 (urban), lower than men in works other than Public Works​.
• Workplace Discrimination & Glass Ceiling: Women in India hold only 19% of C-suite roles, significantly lagging behind the global average of 30%.
• Unpaid Work Burden: Women spend 5x more time than men on unpaid care work (Time Use Survey, 2020).

Women in Education & Research

• Female Literacy Rate (NFHS-5, 2023): 71.5% (compared to men ~84%).
• Gender Parity Index (GPI) in Higher Education: More women than men enrolled in colleges since 2017-18.
• Dropout rates among girls due to early marriage, financial constraints, and safety concerns.
• Limited representation in STEM fields – Women make up only 29% of India’s STEM workforce.

Women in Defence & Law Enforcement

• Women in Armed Forces: Allowed in combat roles, NDA, and Sainik Schools.
  • First female fighter pilot: Avani Chaturvedi (2016).
• Women in Police: In India, several states and union territories have adopted policies to reserve a percentage of police positions for women, typically ranging from 10% to 35%.

Women in Judiciary

• Currently, only 2 out of 34 judges in the Supreme Court are women.
• As of 1 August 2024, 14 percent of sitting judges across High Courts in India are women. Just two High Courts have women Chief Justices.
• Historic Firsts: Justice Fathima Beevi – First woman SC judge (1989); Justice B.V. Nagarathna set to be India’s first woman Chief Justice (2027).

Women in Social & Cultural Sphere

• Preserving Traditions: Women are custodians of Indian cultural values, family structure, and community welfare.
• Women in Media & Entertainment: Shaping public opinion and breaking stereotypes.
• Social Leadership: Women-led SHGs have revolutionized rural entrepreneurship.

Challenges Faced by Women in India 

• Gender Discrimination & Patriarchy: Gender bias in social, economic, and political spheres due to deep-rooted patriarchy.
  • India ranks 127th out of 146 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index 2023.

• • Son preference leads to 4.6 lakh female foeticides annually (Lancet Study, 2023).
• Low Workforce Participation & Economic Dependence: Women’s economic participation remains low due to domestic responsibilities, workplace discrimination, and unpaid labor.
  • Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR, 2023-24): 35.6% (PLFS Data), much lower than the global average (~50%).
  • Women spend 5x more time than men on unpaid domestic work (Time Use Survey, 2020).
• Violence Against Women & Safety Issues: Includes domestic violence, rape, workplace harassment, honor killings, and cyber crimes.
  • 29.3% of married women (aged 18-49) face domestic violence (NFHS-5, 2021).
• Political Underrepresentation: Women are underrepresented in decision-making roles despite legal provisions for reservations.
  • Women in Parliament (2024): 13.6% in Lok Sabha, lower than the global average of 26.5% (UN Women).
  • Women in Panchayati Raj: 50% reservation in states like Bihar, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan.
• Limited Access to Education & Skill Development: Gender disparity in education, vocational training, and professional courses.
  • Female Literacy Rate (NFHS-5, 2021): 71.5% (compared to 87.4% for men).
  • Dropout rates for girls increase after secondary education due to early marriage, financial constraints, and safety concerns.
• Cyber Crimes Against Women: Includes cyberstalking, revenge porn, deepfake videos, online harassment.
  • Example: Deepfake case (2023, Tamil Nadu) – Woman’s morphed images circulated, sparking calls for stricter digital laws.
• Human Trafficking & Forced Prostitution: Involves coercion, abduction, forced labor, sex trafficking.
  • Over the last decade (2013–2022), approximately 80,000 to 120,000 women and girls were trafficked, per NCRB data.
    • 95% of trafficking victims are women & girls (UNODC, 2023).
  • As of August 2024, National Database of Human Trafficking Offenders (NDHTO) has more than 1.20 lakh offender records.
• Female Infanticide & Foeticide: Sex-selective abortion & killing of female infants due to preference for male children.
  • Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB, 2021): 929 females per 1000 males (NFHS-5).
  • 4.6 lakh female foeticides annually in India (Lancet Study, 2023).
• Health Challenges (Maternal Mortality & Nutrition): Includes maternal deaths, malnutrition, reproductive health issues.
  • Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR, 2018-20): 97 per 1 lakh live births, improved but still high.
  • Anemia among Women (NFHS-5, 2021): 57% of women aged 15-49 are anemic.

Global Best Practices & Lessons for India

Government Initiatives for Women in India 

• Women’s Safety & Protection Initiatives
  • Nirbhaya Fund (2013): Strengthen women’s safety through infrastructure, technology, and legal reforms.
  • One Stop Centre Scheme (2015): Provide medical, legal, and psychological support to victims of violence.
    • Coverage: 800+ centers operational across India.
  • Women Helpline (181): 24×7 crisis support for women facing violence or distress.
  • Safe City Project: Improve public safety for women through better lighting, surveillance, and female police patrolling.
    • Implemented in: Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, Lucknow, Ahmedabad.
  • Mahila Police Volunteer (MPV) Scheme: Women volunteers act as a link between the police and communities to prevent crimes.
• Women’s Education & Skill Development Initiatives
  • Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) (2015): Improve the child sex ratio and promote girls’ education.
    • Impact: Increased female school enrollment, especially in Haryana and Rajasthan.
  • National Education Policy (NEP 2020)
    • Encourage STEM participation among girls.
    • Improve digital learning opportunities for women.
    • Gender Inclusion Fund for marginalized girls.
  • Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV): Residential schools for SC/ST/OBC and minority girls.
    • Coverage: 5,700+ schools benefiting 6 lakh+ girls.
  • Pragati Scholarship for Girls: Financial aid for girls in technical education (engineering, AI, robotics, etc.).
  • UDAAN Scheme: Free coaching for girls preparing for IITs/NITs.
• Women’s Health & Nutrition Initiatives
  • Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) (2017): Financial assistance of ₹5,000 for pregnant & lactating mothers.
  • Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) (2005): Encourage institutional deliveries by providing cash incentives.
    • Impact: Institutional deliveries increased from 39% (2005) to 89% (NFHS-5).
  • POSHAN Abhiyaan (2018): Reduce malnutrition and anemia among women & children.
  • Menstrual Hygiene Scheme: Promote affordable sanitary napkins for rural women.
• Women’s Employment & Entrepreneurship Initiatives
  • MUDRA Yojana (2015): Provide loans (₹50,000 – ₹10 lakh) for women-led businesses.
    • Impact: 69% of MUDRA loans sanctioned to women.
  • Stand-Up India (2016): Loans from ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore for women entrepreneurs.
    • Impact: More than 1.4 lakh women entrepreneurs benefited.
  • Mahila E-Haat (2016): Online platform for women entrepreneurs to sell products.
  • National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) – Women SHGs: Financial & digital empowerment of Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
  • Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY): Skill training for rural women in healthcare, retail, tourism, etc..
• Women’s Political Empowerment Initiatives
  • Women’s Reservation Bill (2023):
    • 33% reservation for women in Lok Sabha & State Assemblies.
    • Already implemented in Panchayati Raj (1992) with 33-50% reservation in local bodies.
  • Mission Shakti (2020): Focuses on women-led development through awareness, safety, and financial inclusion.
  • SWADHAR Greh Scheme: Provides shelter, food, and skill training for destitute women.
• Women in Science, Technology & Innovation
  • Vigyan Jyoti Scheme: Encourage girls in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics).
  • Women Scientists Scheme (WOS): Support women returning to research careers after a career break.
  • KIRAN Scheme: Women-focused funding for scientific research.
• Cyber Safety & Digital Empowerment
  • Cyber Crime Prevention Against Women & Children (CCPWC): Prevent cyberstalking, revenge porn, deepfake crimes.
  • Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (DISHA): Improve digital literacy among rural women.

Way Forward for Women’s Empowerment in India

• Strengthening Law Enforcement & Fast-Track Courts: Strict implementation of laws like POSH Act, Dowry Prohibition Act, and Domestic Violence Act to ensure justice.
  • Fast-track courts for gender-based violence cases to reduce delays in trials and increase conviction rates.
• Increasing Workforce Participation & Economic Independence: Encouraging flexible work policies (remote work, childcare support) to retain women in the workforce.
  • Closing the gender pay gap by enforcing Equal Remuneration Act and promoting women-led businesses.
• Enhancing Education & Skill Development: Bridging the gender gap in STEM fields through targeted scholarships and mentorship programs.
  • Digital literacy training under schemes like Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (DISHA) to improve employment opportunities.
• Improving Women’s Safety & Public Infrastructure: Expanding Nirbhaya Fund projects for better lighting, CCTVs, women-only transport, and emergency response systems.
  • More women in law enforcement (increasing women police personnel beyond the current 10% in CAPFs).
• Political & Leadership Representation: Fast-tracking the implementation of Women’s Reservation Bill (2023) for 33% reservation in Parliament and State Assemblies.
  • Encouraging women in corporate leadership roles through SEBI-mandated boardroom quotas.
• Changing Societal Attitudes & Cultural Norms: Mass awareness campaigns to challenge patriarchal mindsets and normalize gender equality in families and workplaces.
  • Encouraging men’s involvement in domestic responsibilities to reduce the unpaid care burden on women.

Conclusion

Women’s empowerment is not just a social necessity but an economic and national priority. While policy reforms, legal measures, and societal shifts have brought progress, sustained efforts in safety, workforce participation, leadership roles, and education are essential to ensure true gender equality and inclusive growth in India.