KRITIKA DWIVEDI
Introduction
“Unless we empower the women in rural area ‘Empowerment of Women’ in the country and as a whole can’t be achieved”.
- Asma Mohammed
Evolution has been the constant change in nature and in the lives of human beings. Gender distinction has derived it’s roots from the natural processes of our environment. Diversity in the society has pervaded in all spheres of life. Now, different races, sects, religions, classes, languages are more readily embraced and thus, our Indian society at large is now inclusive in nature. The preponderance of India’s population lives in rural areas and remote locations, making it a country of villages. The intriguing feature is that, although being connected to cities, each section of the country retains its own distinct traditional ethic. India gained freedom in 1947, yet the rural-urban gap and the rich-poor divide continue to plague the country. The stereotypes that generate from this mind-set abound the society and fail to throw light on the significance of rural moment. Rural women play a vital role in helping their households and communities achieve food and nutrition security, generate money, and improve livelihood opportunities. India is a country full of paradoxes. On the one hand, women are revered as deities without whose blessings no task may begin. Crimes against women and girls, on the other hand, are on the rise in India. It is unfortunate because the perpetrators are often known to the victims. Women serve various roles in society, including mother, wife, daughter, and giver of services. Despite the fact that women contribute equally to the growth of the country as men, they face a variety of constraints that prevent them from realising their full potential. This growing suspicion has the potential to disrupt the Indian societal balance. In fact, women in India are frequently denied their fundamental right to dignity, let alone gender equality. This growing mistrust has the potential to disrupt the Indian social and cultural pattern. The patriarchal standards are so deeply embedded in Indian society that it is extremely difficult to break free. To be honest, you could surely assume the same about my understanding of issues concerning girls and women in rural development. This paper discusses the general status of rural Indian women and its implications on their overall empowerment.
Challenges faced by women in rural area
Rural women are key developmental agents. They provide a catalytic role in achieving the transformational economic, environmental, and changes in society required for sustainable development. However, among the other problems they encounter are limited access to financing, health care, and education. Against such a backdrop, a study was done to learn about the different challenges faced by women in rural India, primarily in villages. The study also provides solutions to their concerns.
Workplace problems for rural women
Work-family disharmony contributes to work overload. A variety of reasons contribute to the unbalance of work and family responsibilities. Rural women continue to endure overt discrimination in the job. They are frequently denied promotions and opportunities for advancement at work, but this does not apply to all workers. They are frequently denied rewards and opportunities for growth at work, but this does not apply to all workers.
Minimal Family Support: another challenge that women face is a lack of sufficient family support. At times, the family does not encourage people to leave the housework and work in the factory or mills. They also oppose women who work late in the workplaces, which hinders women’s effectiveness and undermines their advancement.
Inadequate Maternity Leave: another important concern that a working rural woman faces is insufficient maternity leave. This not only has an impact on women’s work performance, but it also has a negative impact on their personal lives.
Sexual Harassment faced by rural women at workplace: Nowadays, most of the young women are subject to vulnerable to sexual harassment, regardless of their rank, personal attributes, or the area in which they are working. They are subjected to sexual harassment on public transportation, at work, in educational institutions, hospitals, at home, and even in police stations while filing complaints. It is appalling that women’s modesty is being violated and outraged by law enforcers. Most women are concentrated in low-wage service jobs, whereas men are in an instant supervisory position, which allows them to exploit their inferior women.
There are several other factors which effect problems of rural women in workplaces which hinders their growth in their economic development.
Problem faced by elderly women in rural area: The elderly ladies have to deal with a lot of stress, such as their children’s unemployment, marriage, family quarrels, loneliness, having terrible relations with relatives, and not having adequate time for family. A key issue that makes a woman’s life miserable is a lack of sanitation facilities and educational knowledge. The majority of women barely own property, and even if they do, they will not manage it. They are fully reliant on the male members of the household to meet all of their basic requirements.
Rural women perform a significant portion of unpaid care and homework work that is neither acknowledged nor compensated. They perform a variety of tasks including caring for children and the elderly, cooking, collecting firewood and water, and working on farms or family businesses. The preponderance of rural women face not only economic hardship but also ‘information poverty.’ Rural women are important and significant contributors to India’s national economy. There is a statistical bias in underestimating rural women’s contributions to development. Despite the fact that women work overtime periods than men and add significantly to family finances, they are not regarded as productive employees. Women hold very little land or vital resources in rural India. This proves to be a roadblock in institutional credit.
Conclusion
Traditionally, many believe that male members should only work for money and women should stay at home, yet the financial pressures on Indian families are increasing. Women workers are frequently subjected to sexual harassment, so the government should impose stricter penalties for these types of offences. The financial pressures on Indian families are increasing, which is why women should engage in earning a living for their families. As a result, a radical shift in the mind- sets of employees, family members, and the general public is required. To make the government scheme successful in empowering rural women, it is important that the rural women participate in large numbers in the Gram Sabha and express their concerns about the implementation of government schemes. Hence, the Government of India has given rural women the opportunity to live with respect and honour, on an equal basis with rural males.
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