EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN IN INDIA- HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Women Empowerment Means Emancipation Of Women From The Vicious Grip Of Social, Economical, Political, Cast Gender- Based Discrimination. It Means Granting Women The Freedom To Make Life Choices. Women Should Be Able To Express Her Thoughts And Imaginations Freely And Create Self Condence And To Negotiate For Power To Gain Asserts And Decision Making. Empowerment Is A Multi Dimensional Process Which Enables Individuals Or A Group Of Individuals To Realize The Identity And Powers In All Spears Of Life. Webster Dictionary Denes The Word Empowerment That The Situation Of Authority To Be Powerful. Empowerment Means A Process Which Gives Authority To Women To Challenge Any Situation. Therefore The Term Empowerment Has Multi Dimensional , And Focused To Describe The Process Wherein A Group Or Individuals Are Able To Enhance Their Status In Society And Allows Them To Participate In Overall Growth. In Other Word It Is An Active Multi Dimensional Process Which Enables Them To Realize Their Identity, Position, Power In All Spheres Of Life. This Freed Them From The All Kinds Of Customs, Beliefs, Faiths, And Evil Practices That Prevailed In The Society.
It Is Often Said That The Status And Position Of Women In Society Are The Best Way To Understand A Civilization, Its Progress And Its Shortcomings. In Case Of India, Women Have Come A Long Way From Women Sages And Scholars In The Rig Vedic Period To Women In The Armed Forces, IT Sector, Politics, Industry And Other Significant Areas While Balancing Their Role As A Daughter, Wife And Mother. This Journey Towards Modernization Has Not Been Easy. Women Have Had To Fight The Traditional Indian Male-Dominated Society To Emerge As Stronger And Independent Entities. While All These Are Positive Developments, Cases Of Rape, Harassment At Workplace And Dowry Deaths Are Rampant. Illiteracy And Ignorance About Their Rights Are Still Prevalent Among A Majority Of The Women. It Is In This Background This Paper Lays Stress On The Evolution, Status, Development Of Women And Their Empowerment In India From A Historical Point Of View.