INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

NEWS: Prime Minister reiterates commitment for Women Empowerment on International Women’s Day.

 

WHAT’S’ IN THE NEWS?

  1. Annual Celebration: International Women’s Day (IWD) is observed every year on March 8 to recognize and celebrate the achievements of women across various fields.
  2. Historical Significance:
    • The day has its roots in the early 20th-century women’s movements advocating for labor rights, suffrage, and social equality.
    • In 1922, Vladimir Lenin declared March 8 as International Women’s Day in recognition of women's contributions to the 1917 Russian Revolution.
  3. United Nations Recognition:
    • The United Nations officially recognized International Women’s Day in 1977, further strengthening global efforts toward gender equality.
  4. Themes for 2025:
    • United Nations (UN) Theme: “For All Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.”
    • Official IWD Theme: “Accelerate Action.”
  5. 30 Years of the Beijing Declaration:
    • The year 2025 marks 30 years since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995).
    • This framework remains one of the most comprehensive global agreements for promoting the rights and empowerment of women and girls.

 

Legal Framework for Women’s Empowerment in India

  1. Constitutional Provisions:
    • The Indian Constitution guarantees gender equality through provisions in its Preamble, Fundamental Rights, and Directive Principles of State Policy.
    • Article 14: Ensures equality before the law and equal protection of the law for all citizens.
    • Article 15: Prohibits discrimination based on sex along with religion, race, caste, or place of birth.
    • Article 51A(e): Encourages citizens to renounce practices derogatory to women’s dignity.
    • Directive Principles of State Policy:
      • Article 39: Emphasizes equal rights to livelihood, equal pay for equal work, and protection of children and workers.
      • Article 42: Mandates the provision of just and humane working conditions, including maternity relief.

 

Challenges Faced by Women

  1. Gender Discrimination:
    • Deep-rooted cultural biases, stereotypes, and social norms continue to restrict women’s opportunities in various fields, including education, employment, and leadership.
  2. Lack of Access to Education:
    • Many girls, especially in rural areas, face limited access to quality education due to poverty, societal pressures, and safety concerns.
  3. Economic Inequality:
    • Women encounter lower wages, fewer job opportunities, and limited financial independence, leading to a persistent gender wage gap.
  4. Safety and Security:
    • High rates of gender-based violence including domestic violence, sexual harassment, trafficking, and honor killings continue to threaten women’s safety.
  5. Health and Reproductive Rights:
    • Limited access to maternal healthcare, family planning services, and reproductive rights leads to high maternal mortality rates and poor health outcomes.
  6. Child Marriage:
    • Despite legal restrictions, child marriage remains prevalent, especially in rural areas, affecting women’s health, education, and personal autonomy.
  7. Political Representation:
    • Women remain underrepresented in political offices and decision-making positions, leading to inadequate policy focus on gender-related issues.
  8. Social Norms and Expectations:
    • Rigid societal roles often restrict women’s freedom of expression, mobility, and career choices, reinforcing traditional gender roles.
  9. Workplace Harassment:
    • Many women experience gender-based harassment at workplaces, with limited support structures and grievance redressal mechanisms in place.

 

India’s Commitments to International Treaties on Women’s Rights

India is a signatory to several international agreements promoting gender equality, including:

  1. Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) – Recognizing fundamental human rights, including gender equality.
  2. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR, 1966) – Ensuring civil and political rights for all, including non-discrimination based on gender.
  3. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW, 1979) – A global framework against gender discrimination.
  4. Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995) – A blueprint for advancing women’s rights worldwide.
  5. United Nations Convention Against Corruption (2003) – Addressing corruption, which often disproportionately affects women.
  6. Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development (SDGs) – Promoting gender equality as a key goal (SDG 5).

 

Achievements in Women’s Empowerment in India

  1. Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023:
    • Seeks to reserve one-third of seats for women in Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, and the Delhi Assembly.
  2. Improvement in National Sex Ratio:
    • The sex ratio in India improved to 1020 females per 1000 males, as per the National Family Health Survey-5.
  3. Paid Maternity Leave Extension:
    • Maternity leave increased from 12 weeks to 26 weeks under the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017.
  4. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana:
    • Over 3.2 crore accounts have been opened under this scheme to promote financial security for girl children.
  5. Women’s Ownership under PM Awas Yojana - Gramin:
    • 72% of the houses under this scheme are owned by women, promoting financial independence.
  6. Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) Reduction:
    • MMR declined from 130 per lakh live births (2014-16) to 97 per lakh live births (2018-20).
  7. Abolition of Triple Talaq:
    • Strengthened legal protections for Muslim women against instant divorce practices.
  8. Women in Armed Forces:
    • Permanent commission granted to women officers in 12 arms and services.
    • Entry of women as Agniveers in all three Indian Armed Forces (Army, Navy, and Air Force).
  9. Women in STEM Fields:
    • 43% of STEM graduates in India are women, the highest in the world.

 

Government Initiatives for Women’s Empowerment

  1. Mission Shakti (2021-2025):
    • A comprehensive women empowerment programme by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD).
    • Focuses on women’s safety, welfare, and participation in nation-building.
  2. Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao:
    • Aims to improve the child sex ratio and promote girls' education.
  3. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana:
    • Encourages financial security for girls by providing a high-interest savings scheme for their future education and marriage.
  4. Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram & PM Matru Vandana Yojana:
    • Improve maternal and child health by providing financial aid and medical assistance.
  5. Mission Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0:
    • Focus on nutrition, immunity, and holistic health of women and children.
  6. Women in Science and Engineering - KIRAN (WISE KIRAN):
    • Supported 1,962 women scientists from 2018 to 2023, encouraging female participation in STEM fields.
  7. Nari Shakti Puraskar:
    • National award recognizing outstanding contributions of women in various fields.

India has made significant progress in women’s empowerment, but persistent challenges remain. Continued policy efforts, societal change, and global collaborations are essential for achieving true gender equality.

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/life-style/international-women-day-2025-theme-significance-date-8-march-9873286/