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The land that we reside on is called mother earth; The first language that a child picks up is called their mother tongue; Behind every successful man there is a woman and several other phrases that we happen to use in our day-to-day language is a beautiful personification of women and the light that the feminine energy brings along with it. When on one hand our ancient texts talk the about the divine feminine energy, in recent times we have somewhere lost its true essence and meaning. In an attempt to refocus on this particular subject, the term “women empowerment” was born – Making women the best versions of themselves. Women Empowerment is method through which women take responsibility for their own lives, regain control, and develop the capacity for practice freedom of choice.
According to the European Institute of Gender Equality, women’s empowerment consists of five elements: women’s self-worth, their right to make and exercise choices, access to opportunities and resources, the ability to exert control over their own lives, both inside and outside the home and their capacity to influence social change in order to establish a more just social and economic order, both nationally and internationally. Gender equality is emphasised explicitly in the Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties, and Directive Principles of the Indian Constitution. In India, the empowerment of women has been recognized as the central issue in determining the status of women. The Constitution not only ensures women’s equality but also grants the State the power to enact laws that favourably discriminate in favour of women. Through a parliamentary act, the National Commission for Women was founded in 1990 to defend the rights and benefits of women.
Women’s empowerment is essential for achieving gender equality, but it also helps India advance and develop because it helps women reach their full potential and creates a society that is more inclusive and successful. Now the question for the women of Kashmir is, can the women empowerment act change the lives of women in Kashmir? Years of unrest situations in Kashmir have been particularly difficult and harsh on its female population. Years of having to live through violence, terrorism and uncertain situations has led to trauma and fear. To give the lost years and all what the deserved back to the Kashmiri women is something one cannot measure and return and would be belittling to what they have suffered. Having said that, in an attempt to create a better future for the girl child and the women of Kashmir, the Government has taken several steps in the past few years.
The “J&K Rural Livelihoods Mission” aims to encourage women in rural regions to start their own businesses and engage in self-employment. As part of this project, women in Jammu and Kashmir are receiving training in a variety of fields, such as food processing, tailoring, and handicrafts. Over 2,000 women have started their own businesses in the area thanks to the “J&K Rural Livelihoods Mission” (Umeed), which has given them a reliable source of income and given them financial freedom. This is a pivotal moment in the development of women into progressive, independent businesswomen. Women are becoming far more prevalent in a variety of occupations, including politics, education, and entrepreneurship. In Jammu and Kashmir, women have also established cooperatives and self-help groups, which have aided in their ability to obtain loans and market their goods.
The “Super 75 Scholarship Scheme,” which the government unveiled in December 2020, promises to give impoverished students, including girls, free coaching for competitive exams. The “Mission Youth” initiative attempts to involve and empower young people, particularly women, in the making of decisions. Youth Clubs, which play a vital role in giving children the opportunity to work through genuine difficulties and make actual change, have attracted more than 74,771 young people from 20 districts. There were 94 gold medallists at Kashmir University graduating in 2021, and 77% of them were female. The majority of the gold medal winners at the Islamic University of Science and Technology convocation were women, demonstrating the empowerment of women.
In non-gazetted cadres of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, women now have a 15% reservation. Women who have experienced violence and abuse can get crucial services and assistance at the Sakhi One-Stop Centre which was an initiative launched by the government of J&K. The question the we asked for the women of Kashmir is in the process of being answered. Change is happening, slowly but steadily and of course definitely. There is still a long way to go but we are surely on the path.
Women’s empowerment is the perception that all women, from all areas of life, have incredibly boundless potential. By illuminating the path and bringing women back to their innermost, infinite selves, we can empower one another. We embody our actual greatness and thrive when we genuinely feel we have what it takes to conquer every difficulty, hindrance, and moment of uncertainty – that’s the moment of self-growth and truly feeling empowered!!
