About 10% of all the crimes committed in the country are those of women abuse.
30 lakh girl children were lost to female infanticide during 2001-2011.
A woman is raped every 20 minutes in India.
After 60 years of independence, 1 in 3 women in India are still illiterate.
Only 39.5% About 10% of all the crimwomen in India are economically active, compared to 80% in China.
10.9%vi of the female population owns land, and among agricultural workers the figure drops down to 9.3%.
Less than 40% of women give birth in a health facility.
Overview
The Indian growth story depends significantly on realizing the potential of women who contribute to 48% of Indian population. Low participation of women in the workforce (only 30.3% of the female population was employed in 2011) is a key reason for low per capita income. Paradoxically, with the increase in economic development, there seems to have been deterioration in the status of women. Recent incidences of rape, which even made global headlines, have highlighted the grave situation of women in the country.
In 2001, the central government launched a comprehensive National Policy for the Empowerment of Women. The programme was ambitious and comprehensive with provisions to support women in agriculture and industry. It also aimed to provide education, health, nutrition and sanitation assistance and to reduce violence against women. While the policy has resulted in some progress over the last decade, it has been ineffective towards substantially improving the conditions for women. India still lags far behind its neighbors and other fast-developing economies in terms of gender equality. According to the 2012 Gender Inequality index from the United Nations Development Program, India was ranked at 132 out of 148 countries, compared to China at 35, Russian at 51, Brazil at 85 and South Africa at 90. Women-related programmes were a highlight of the 2013 Union budget but several women groups have stated that ineffective design makes these provisions hollow. Also in a bid to
equalize inheritance laws , the Union government has recently approved a legal amendment which gives married women a greater share in assets owned by the husband.
SOME CHALLENGES
Significant gaps exist between policy advancements in womens rights and actual practices at the community level in India, pointing to problems of policy enforcement and corruption. Although there are legal provisions protecting women against dowry, domestic violence and other forms of abuse, they have not been sufficient in curbing the abuse of women.
Patriarchy dominates in most communities and households in India, lowering the mobility, access to education and decisionmaking power of women. In addition to the patriarchal structure, there are other societal divides in the status of women along rural-urban, caste and regional lines.
Low literacy amongst women is another issue that results in low levels of economic involvement and independence.
Since most women are out of the formal workforce they lack access to financial services such as credit and insurance
THE NEXT STEPS
The need of the hour is a comprehensive set of policy interventions and programs that address the issue of women safety and inclusion such as urban design and planning, provision of services, greater owner of assets by women, better policing and law enforcement , community involvement and awareness building for men, women and youth. Creating a safer and equal India for women and girls need to be put firmly on the national agenda.
Manthan calls for innovative policy solutions from young enthusiasts.
Manthan is a National level competition organised by the Citizens for Accountable Governance. The competition seeks to bring together India’s youth to present innovative and effective solutions to the top 14 problems facing the Indian economy and society in general. The winners of the competition will get an opportunity to present their recommendations to the top leadership of the two principal national political parties and thought leaders from other domains.
About 7,500 students from across the country, the top leadership of the two principal national political parties and thought leaders from other domains come together at the Thyagaraj Sports Complex, New Delhi on 2nd October, 2013. We believe that Manthan will be a unique opportunity for the youth to help set the agenda for the 2014 General Elections.