UP PCS Mains-2024

Approach Briefly, introduce the status of women in India. Discuss the socio-economic role of women in modern society. Illustrate the Schemes/Programmes related to women. Conclude with the way forward.

Introduction

Women have played a vital role in shaping India’s cultural and social fabric since ancient times. However, their status has been a subject of continuous debate, reflecting both progress and persistent challenges. While significant strides have been made in education, employment, and governance, gender disparities remain a concern.

Body

Socio-economic Role of Women in Modern Society:

• Female Labour Force Participation: As per the latest available Annual Periodic Labour Force Survey Reports, the estimated Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) on usual status for women of age 15 years and above in the country was 32.8% in 2021-22.
  • The Rural Female Labour Force Participation Rate increased from 19.7 % in 2018-19 to 27.7% in 2020-21.
• Entrepreneurship: Women-owned business enterprises are playing a prominent role in society by generating employment opportunities in the country, bringing in demographic shifts, and inspiring the next generation of women founders.
  • For example, rural entrepreneurs such as Jashwantiben Popat who pioneered Lijjat papad are proof of the strong capabilities of Indian women to mould positive social change in India.
• Women in Agriculture: Economic Survey 2017-18 stated that with growing rural-to-urban migration by men, there is ‘feminization’ of the agriculture sector, with an increasing number of women in multiple roles as cultivators, and labourers.
  • The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) research revealed that the participation of women is 75 percent in the production of major crops, 79 percent in horticulture, 51 percent in post-harvest work, and 95 percent in animal husbandry and fisheries.
• Self-Help Group (SHG): According to a 2021 government press release, around 70 lakh SHGs, engaging 7.66 crore women, are functioning across India.
  • Success stories include Kudumbashree in Kerala, Jeevika in Bihar, Mahila Arthik Vikas Mahila Mandal in Maharashtra, and recently, Looms of Ladakh.
• Role of Women in Political Participation: Women’s political participation is a fundamental prerequisite for gender equality and genuine democracy according to data compiled by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), in India, women make up 14.44 percent of the Lok Sabha.
  • In the Lok Sabha, the percentage of women members has risen from 5-10% until 2004 to 13.6% in the current 18th Lok Sabha, while in the Rajya Sabha, it is 13%.
• Participation of Women in Administration: As per Indian Administrative Services (IAS) data and the central government’s employment census of 2011, less than 11% of its total employees were women, which reached 13% in 2020.
  • Further, only 14% of Secretaries in the IAS were women in 2022.

Schemes/Programmes Related to Women:

• Women startups need three basic ingredients: Idea, mentorship, and finance. All three of them are available like never before to aspiring women entrepreneurs in India.
• Most of the colleges are offering mentorship programmes to women to encourage startup ideas by female graduates.
• Incubation and acceleration support is available through the Women Entrepreneurship Programme (WEP) offered by NITI Aayog.
• Special category benefits are available under the Pradhan Mantri Employment Generation (PMEG) programme of the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).
• Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM): It defined Women SHGs as per DAY-NRLM consist of 10-20 persons, with the exception of groups in difficult areas, groups with disabled persons, and groups formed in remote tribal areas.

Conclusion

As India commemorates 75 years of independence through Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the focus remains on empowering women as a cornerstone of development. The vision of "Empowered Women, Empowered Nation" underscores the need for continued efforts toward gender equality, enabling women to contribute meaningfully to India's progress and prosperity.