V - EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN

          Empowerment of the women does not mean giving women an extraordinary status over the men by strengthening them in various faculties. Empowerment of the women can be made effective and possible only if the men are also empowered. If women are not empowered in the present context, it is mainly because the men are also not relatively empowered. Empowerment is not building up muscle power. Empowerment can be achieved for both women and men only through enhancement of the individuals’ outlook in a broader perspective.

          Empowerment can be achieved only through awareness building, whereby, both the men and women rely upon and support each other: first for the family as a basic unit and then for the community as an enlarged unit. Realistic empowerment of the women can be achieved only if the society recognises the fact that women are capable of playing multiple roles. In most of the Indian societies, women have an important role in the management of homes. Men usually do out-door work. A real analysis of family or community life will show us that both the women indoors and men outdoors were complementing each other to support the family. Empowerment of women can be achieved only when the community requirements are complemented by both men and women. An easy change is not possible considering the deep-rooted tradition of our country, interlaced with religious, caste and regional practices. Changes can be brought about only through concentrated efforts in awareness building.  

          The question is not as to who is more powerful or capable, for both men and women demonstrate capabilities and weaknesses in the same manner irrespective of their sex differences. The question is only as to how men and women within the community understand each other, support and complement each other to manage not only their homes but the community at large in the long run.

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