Women Empowerment: Beyond Applause to Structural Support
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Social Development, Social Sector Initiatives, Rights Issues.
Mains:
GS Paper 1: Role of women and women's organization, Social empowerment.
GS Paper 2: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
Key Highlights from the News
The article highlights how an ordinary woman, without special considerations, fought a legal battle against an influential and powerful individual and succeeded (Prajwal Revanna case is cited as an example).
The article criticizes how the concept of "women empowerment" often celebrates only high-ranking women (CEOs, entrepreneurs), ignoring the struggles of ordinary women fighting for justice.
Women who engage in such legal battles are performing a public service, as their victory strengthens the justice system for everyone.
Even after winning in court, survivors often face social stigma, unemployment, and financial debt. This turns a legal victory into a life failure.
To provide real empowerment to survivors, the article proposes a structural support framework, which includes five recommendations:
State-funded survivor compensation schemes.
Well-funded dedicated legal aid cells.
Guaranteed employment pathways.
Government-assisted psychological support and trauma recovery.
Institutionalise survivor expertise; appoint them as counselors and members of Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs).
COMMENTS