Skip to main content

3 Barriers to Women’s Empowerment in India & How NGOs are Making a Difference

 Latest studies reveal that women, despite accounting for half of the global population, only take home a tenth of the global income. Be it income or education disparity, women and girl children in India often have to navigate a path riddled with insurmountable obstacles. This is especially true in the case of the people living in rural regions, accounting for two thirds of the country’s total population. While the Indian government has introduced several initiatives and enacted laws geared towards promoting women empowerment, the different grassroots level programmes and execution done by NGOs working for education and women's health is invaluable. Read on as we discuss three barriers to women empowerment in India and how NGOs for women are making a difference. 

Female Infanticide 

Aborting female fetuses after determining sex is a common practice observed across the country. While the rate of female infanticide has come down over the years, the practice is rampant across rural India and amongst economically marginalised populations. Despite strict laws such as the PC-PNDT Act against determining the sex of an unborn child, sex selective abortions are still being performed illegally. Patriarchal norms and male domination in rural households often leaves women with little to no choice over important matters such as pregnancy termination. Through awareness programmes and self-help groups (SHGs) organized by women empowerment NGOs, control and eradication of female infanticide can be achieved sooner. 

Education Disparity 

In most typical Indian households, education of male children is given higher priority over that of girl children. As we venture down the economic ladder, the problem becomes more persistent. Even recent studies have uncovered the fact that female illiteracy is high across rural populations in the country. Due to such neglect in respect of educating girl children, they grow up dependent on male members of the household for their livelihood. NGOs working for education and women are helping girl children from rural regions in India get better access to education. Apart from educating children, women NGOs are also offering training programmes for grown women looking to become literate and pursue employment opportunities. 

Violence Against Women 

Fearing violence and harassment, women and girl children exclude themselves from several fabrics of the society. In many parts of rural India, girl children avoid going to schools altogether in order to remain safe. Apart from the violence faced from external entities or individuals, women are subject to abuse from family in the form of dowry harassment or wife-battering. It is also common news that women are subjected to violence and exploitation at work, discouraging many from seeking employment. Women NGOs, at such a juncture, are creating a safe space for girl children and women to attend school or pursue fulfilling work opportunities. 

Wrap Up 

Since time immemorial, women have been at the receiving end of poor treatment, discrimination, and exclusion in various parts of society. Though the government is discharging its duty by passing laws and launching initiatives that foster women empowerment, NGOs are working hand-in-hand with government agencies through various programmes and pushing the agenda of women empowerment forward. If you are looking to contribute towards women empowerment, reach out to a trusted NGO in India that is doing credible work in the realm of women's health and education. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The State of Women's Education in India: Progress and Challenges

In a world increasingly driven by knowledge and innovation, the importance of education cannot be overstated. Education serves as the foundation for individual empowerment, social development, and economic growth. This is particularly true for women's education in India, a topic that has seen both significant progress and persistent challenges over the years. Understanding Women's Education in India The landscape of women's education in India has been shaped by entrenched socio-cultural norms, often leading to gender disparities in educational attainment. Factors such as poverty, early marriage, and gender-based discrimination have historically impeded girls' education in India. Despite these obstacles, the past few decades have witnessed meaningful changes. Increased societal awareness about the importance of girl child education and targeted interventions by the government and NGOs have led to a steady increase in girls' enrolment in schools. Progress in Women...
Post a Comment
Read more

Women Entrepreneurship in India’s Marginalised Communities: What are the Needs of the Hour?

  During the last couple of decades, India has made great strides towards attaining gender equality, but still, when it comes to entrepreneurship, women, especially in marginalised communities, continue to face various obstacles. As it goes without saying that entrepreneurship is one of the keys to empowering Indian women, it is important to address and help them overcome the challenges they face, which also happens to be one of the core focus areas of various NGOs for women in the country. Continuing on the subject, in this article, we will discuss what should be done to promote women entrepreneurship in India's marginalised communities. Quality Education and Training First and foremost, in order to empower India’s marginalised women, they must have easy access to quality education and training. Most of the marginalised communities in India lack the education and training necessary for people to achieve their true potential, and bridging the gap, therefore, can go a long way towa...
Post a Comment
Read more

Disaster Management in India: How NGOs are Improving Preparedness and Response

  While India is known the world over for its geological diversity and richness, there is definitely a price to pay. Being surrounded by mountain ranges and coastlines, the country is highly vulnerable to disasters such as earthquakes, floods, cyclones, and landslides, which cause widespread damage and loss of life. While the government is always trying its best to deal with such events, NGOs’ role in disaster management and preparedness has also been laudable. Many disaster relief NGOs have been instrumental in helping India prepare for and manage disasters. Let’s take a closer look at how non-profit disaster relief organisations are helping India in disaster preparedness and management. Increasing Awareness ​​One of the primary ways NGOs are helping India in disaster preparedness is by raising awareness about disasters and their impact. They provide information on what to do in case of a disaster, such as how to evacuate safely and how to access emergency services. Such awareness...
Post a Comment
Read more