Myth of the Disempowered Indian Woman

Context: There are evidences from various data sources that gender empowerment is increasing in India and that the idea of disempowered Indian women may soon be a myth.

Evidence of Gender Empowerment in India

• Access to Protection: 19 states, covering 73% of the female population have set up 24*7 women helplines for helping women in distress.
• No Increase in Domestic Violence: Thaana level from many states like Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Himachal Pradesh shows no increase in complaints of domestic violence during the lockdown period this year.
• Attitudinal Change among men: There exist no gender wars in India – as per the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data comparison between 2005-06 and 2015-16:

• In Domestic Violence: The number of husbands who disapproved of beating their wives rose by a larger proportion — from 49% to 58%, than women.
• Regarding Sexual Decisions: Close to 90% women and men disapproved of beating for refusing sex 
• Reduction in Spousal violence: From 39% to 33% in the decade.

• Economic Empowerment: For, E.g. 42% of the young women now have bank accounts, and a majority of women participated in major household purchase decisions.

• Increased Mobile Phone usage: Today, 46% of women in India have mobiles that they themselves use.

Areas of Concern:

• The attitude of Women: Majority of women still believe that men were justified in beating their wives for any reason showing a greater need for awareness of domestic violence. -  around 51%.
• Drop-in Women’s participation in the labour market: 

• Linked with better incomes, a corresponding hesitation to do manual labour and the total absence of childcare facilities.

• Migration Effect: Women were far more reluctant to do jobs that meant going out of their district.

• One out of three women refused job offers while only one out of four men refused job offers.

Way forward: To improve women participation in economy, following steps need to be undertaken: 

• Provision of childcare facilities including easy availability of creches 
• Support for migrating women including friendly transport systems.
• Devise mechanisms to help women find accommodation and opening bank accounts.