WOMEN
SPECIAL MEERA SANYAL
Women
Must be Empowered Economically, Socially and Politically
Indian
women are the roots that nurture and hold our society together. The Indian
woman embodies the essence of ardhanarishwar – she has both strength and
compassion. What the modern Indian woman needs is the opportunity to be able to
express these inherent qualities.
Amongst Indian women, talent is everywhere but the opportunity is not. A primary focus of my candidacy is to create a level playing field for women in India so we provide them the means to feel safe, confident and empowered.
First, we must focus on the issue of safety, within our homes and also in public spaces, both in rural and urban India. As a society we must educate our sons and brothers to respect every woman as they would their mothers and sisters. We must also empower and sensitize our police force to do their job in protecting women. And our judicial system must dispense swift justice so that perpetrators of violence and crime against women understand that there is a credible deterrence and that they will be punished through the due process of law.
Second, Indian women must be empowered — economically, socially and politically. In this troika economic empowerment leads to an enhanced social status and a confident political voice. We need to create equal opportunities in employment but it is also important that we encourage women entrepreneurs. Indian women are amongst the most hardworking, entrepreneurial, innovative, honest and generous people in the world.
In my work with microfinance and self-help groups (SHGs) across the country, I have found that women have a natural knack for starting and running businesses. They understand numbers, can multi-task and they always make the most efficient use of limited re- sources. Converting cow-dung into vermicompost, rice-husk into mushrooms, barren landscape in to mango orchards — the stories of these wonderful women are like a string of pearls. In their hands, India is safe and our future assured. They are the solopreneurs (solo-entrepreneurs) who can double India’s GDP growth if we harness their full potential.
I have found that when a woman is financially empowered, and generating income, life in her family dramatically improves. A woman invests in the right things; education for her children, more nutritious food, health and hygiene, and savings for a rainy day. Women also share generously, especially their time and knowledge. Many of the women solopreneurs I have worked with have travelled across the country to share their learnings in how they have set up their own small businesses. The self-confidence of these women is wonderful to see, as is the respect they receive from their families and their local communities.
I believe it is also critical that women are part of the political structure from the grassroots-up. In my travels I have found that wherever women participate in local political self-governance such as gram sabhas or mohalla sabhas, all metrics are better. The localities are cleaner. Schools are better administered, health indicators are improved and government spending is utilized wisely and monitored effectively.
What is very interesting is that empowerment can start from any part of this troika. If she is economically empowered, social and political empowerment follow naturally, but equally if she is politically empowered, a woman makes sure that other women have access to equal opportunities in the economic and social space.
Some practical steps that I believe we should take to achieve the safety and empowerment of women are as follows:
Educate for equality: In our homes and schools use films, SMS, radio and TV as well as social media to transform mindsets. Let’s treat women as equals and say no to violence and mistreatment of women.
Make laws count: Let’s pass laws to secure equal pay for equal work in all sectors, and ensure non-discrimination in employment. Let’s support the amendment of provisions in existing laws that perpetuate violence against women such as removing the marital rape exception. Let’s ensure that women achieve equal property rights in natal families and fair shares through marriage.
Provide political opportunities to women: Every political party should ensure that women are given a fair representation, both as candidates and within the party organization. I believe women will bring a much-needed sense of balance and perspective to Indian politics.
Police for the people: We must implement police reforms and ensure that police personnel are sensitized to deal with crimes against women and we must establish and enforce a response protocol for crimes against women.
Swift, certain justice: We must work with state governments to establish responsive and fair fast-track courts for crimes of violence against women.
Support to survivors: We must provide comprehensive services to women who are victims of violent crimes, helping them to fund and set up one-stop, 24-hour crisis centres and shelters in each police district.
In conclusion, I believe women don’t need charity, handouts or reservations. We can succeed on merit if we are provided the opportunity. I am delighted to be part of a party that offers women an equal opportunity to participate in the change that is taking place in our country. As Priyanka Chopra says in the wonderful Jaago Re campaign, if more women vote, more women will win. I am hopeful that in 2014, women will emerge as equal partners in the political space in India.
:: Meera Sanyal ..The writer is a former banker who will contest elections on an AAP ticket
Amongst Indian women, talent is everywhere but the opportunity is not. A primary focus of my candidacy is to create a level playing field for women in India so we provide them the means to feel safe, confident and empowered.
First, we must focus on the issue of safety, within our homes and also in public spaces, both in rural and urban India. As a society we must educate our sons and brothers to respect every woman as they would their mothers and sisters. We must also empower and sensitize our police force to do their job in protecting women. And our judicial system must dispense swift justice so that perpetrators of violence and crime against women understand that there is a credible deterrence and that they will be punished through the due process of law.
Second, Indian women must be empowered — economically, socially and politically. In this troika economic empowerment leads to an enhanced social status and a confident political voice. We need to create equal opportunities in employment but it is also important that we encourage women entrepreneurs. Indian women are amongst the most hardworking, entrepreneurial, innovative, honest and generous people in the world.
In my work with microfinance and self-help groups (SHGs) across the country, I have found that women have a natural knack for starting and running businesses. They understand numbers, can multi-task and they always make the most efficient use of limited re- sources. Converting cow-dung into vermicompost, rice-husk into mushrooms, barren landscape in to mango orchards — the stories of these wonderful women are like a string of pearls. In their hands, India is safe and our future assured. They are the solopreneurs (solo-entrepreneurs) who can double India’s GDP growth if we harness their full potential.
I have found that when a woman is financially empowered, and generating income, life in her family dramatically improves. A woman invests in the right things; education for her children, more nutritious food, health and hygiene, and savings for a rainy day. Women also share generously, especially their time and knowledge. Many of the women solopreneurs I have worked with have travelled across the country to share their learnings in how they have set up their own small businesses. The self-confidence of these women is wonderful to see, as is the respect they receive from their families and their local communities.
I believe it is also critical that women are part of the political structure from the grassroots-up. In my travels I have found that wherever women participate in local political self-governance such as gram sabhas or mohalla sabhas, all metrics are better. The localities are cleaner. Schools are better administered, health indicators are improved and government spending is utilized wisely and monitored effectively.
What is very interesting is that empowerment can start from any part of this troika. If she is economically empowered, social and political empowerment follow naturally, but equally if she is politically empowered, a woman makes sure that other women have access to equal opportunities in the economic and social space.
Some practical steps that I believe we should take to achieve the safety and empowerment of women are as follows:
Educate for equality: In our homes and schools use films, SMS, radio and TV as well as social media to transform mindsets. Let’s treat women as equals and say no to violence and mistreatment of women.
Make laws count: Let’s pass laws to secure equal pay for equal work in all sectors, and ensure non-discrimination in employment. Let’s support the amendment of provisions in existing laws that perpetuate violence against women such as removing the marital rape exception. Let’s ensure that women achieve equal property rights in natal families and fair shares through marriage.
Provide political opportunities to women: Every political party should ensure that women are given a fair representation, both as candidates and within the party organization. I believe women will bring a much-needed sense of balance and perspective to Indian politics.
Police for the people: We must implement police reforms and ensure that police personnel are sensitized to deal with crimes against women and we must establish and enforce a response protocol for crimes against women.
Swift, certain justice: We must work with state governments to establish responsive and fair fast-track courts for crimes of violence against women.
Support to survivors: We must provide comprehensive services to women who are victims of violent crimes, helping them to fund and set up one-stop, 24-hour crisis centres and shelters in each police district.
In conclusion, I believe women don’t need charity, handouts or reservations. We can succeed on merit if we are provided the opportunity. I am delighted to be part of a party that offers women an equal opportunity to participate in the change that is taking place in our country. As Priyanka Chopra says in the wonderful Jaago Re campaign, if more women vote, more women will win. I am hopeful that in 2014, women will emerge as equal partners in the political space in India.
:: Meera Sanyal ..The writer is a former banker who will contest elections on an AAP ticket
ETM140209
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