Question : EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN



(a) whether the Government have launched a drive for the empowerment of women;

(b) if so, the details and results thereof;

(c) whether the same has proved to be successful; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

Answer given by the minister


MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI SUMITRA MAHAJAN)

(a),(b),(c)&(d) The Government announced the year 2001 as the Women’s Empowerment Year with the objectives
(i) to create awareness of women’s issues with active participation and involvement of all women and men;
(ii) to initiate and accelerate action to improve access to and control of resources by women; and
(iii) to create an enabling environment to enhance self-confidence and autonomy of women. Various programmes and activities were organised and new initiatives were taken during the year. These included, adoption of a National Policy for the Empowerment of Women, review of existing legislation on women, introduction of a new Bill on Domestic Violence against Women, launching of new programmes such as “Swayamsiddha” which is a Self-Help Group based programme for the social and economic empowerment of women and “Swadhar” which is a scheme for women in difficult circumstances, etc. All these programmes, activities and initiatives have been successful in creating large scale awareness on various issues concerning women.