Indian women @ 75
Where Indian women stand as India celebrates its 75th year of Independence
15th August 2022 marks 75 years since we got our Independence. India has been able to accomplish a lot in these past 75 years. Her citizens have made significant contributions to the economy and technological advancements. Our country is no longer known for its snake charmers.
It is time to ponder on How much Indian women have been able to accomplish or change in these 75 years? Some names stand out like stars, including Indra Nooyi, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Mary Kom, P V Sindhu, and Priyanka Chopra.
However, how have Indian women in general fared over the past 75 years?
Women and Education
According to National Statistical Office (NSO) data, As of the Year, 2021 India’s average literacy rate is 77.70%. The male literacy at the India level in 2021 stands at 84.70% & female literacy stands at 70.30%. Male Female gap at the all-India level is 12.9 percentage points.
Women and Maternal Mortality
India’s maternal mortality ratio (MMR) has improved to 103 in the 2017-19 period, from 556 in 1990. MMR is defined as the number of maternal deaths during a given time period per 100,000 live births during the same time period.
Women and Job
Women account for only 19.9% of the total labor force in India. Women are underrepresented across sectors, including core, which encompasses infrastructure-related sectors like oil and gas (7%); automotive (10%); pharmaceutical and healthcare (11%); and information technology (28%). Based on hourly wages, women earn, on average, 65.5% of what their male colleagues earn for performing the same work.
Women and Ill health
Most ignored women’s health issues in India
Menstrual illiteracy creates an array of misconceptions about women’s reproductive health which then results in a lack of discourse around women’s intimate wellness. Cramping during periods is one of the most problems, 70% of Indian women suffer from it but it’s an issue that is neglected in most households. Cramps are something that most women suffer from but there are little to no solutions around it. Severe cramping is often a symptom of a bigger problem. It could be an indication of Endometriosis, Ovarian Cysts, or even Pelvic Inflammatory disease.
Top 6 Women Health Issues In India
Women’s health problems are related to poor nutrition, changing lifestyles, stress, domestic violence, ignorance towards maternal health, inaccessibility to basic health care facilities Diabetes, heart ailments, Osteoporosis, Breast cancer, cervical cancer, and depression are the six main diseases women in India suffer from.
Women and Crime
According to the NCRB report released in September 2021 Majority of cases under crimes against women were registered under the category of cruelty by a husband or his relatives (30.2%), followed by an assault on women with intent to outrage modesty (19.7%), kidnapping and abduction of women (19.0%), and rape (7.2%). All-India conviction rate in cases relating to crimes against women rose from 23.2% in 2019 to 29.8% in 2020.
Women and Politics
The government is making efforts to ensure women’s participation in politics from the ground level by promoting women’s education and also through constitutional amendments such as reservations for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions. Even then as per the report of the Election Commission of India, women represent 10.5 percent of the total members of the Parliament. The plight of women in the state assemblies is even worse, where they nearly account for 9 percent of the leaders.
Way Forward
“Where women are more educated and empowered, economies are more productive and strong. Where women are fully represented, societies are more peaceful and stable” (UNSC 2013), this quote is from United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon.
Women, who are educated and earning, are in a much better position in our society as compared to uneducated women workers. The focus of the government has also shifted from women’s development to women-led development. In order to achieve this goal, the government is working around the clock to maximize women’s access to education, skill training, and institutional credit. MUDRA Yojana is one such scheme that was launched for women entrepreneurs, without any collateral. Along with all the efforts taken up by the government, the women who have been able to make their mark felt or who are educated and independent can play a great role by lending a helping hand to the underprivileged and becoming role models to young girls.
Let us hope and aspire to transform into an India which will have the majority of its women empowered by the time we celebrate our 100th Independence Day.
