Index:

- Introduction
- History of women
- Women participation in economic growth
■ Gdp growth and women participation
■ Employment rates
■ Income inequality
- Government policies:
■ Key policies
■ Areas of Focus
- Women as bread earners
- Women of Rural india
- Women of Urban India
- Women’s roles in business enviornments
■ Social
■ Economic
■ Political
■ Technological
■ Legal
- Case study 1: Oprah WInfry
- Case sstudy 2: Gita Gopinath
HISTORY

A Timeline of Women's Development in India Since the

1900s
Early 20th Century (1900-1947)

● 1909: The Indian Councils Act granted limited suffrage to women.

● 1910: The Indian Women's Conference was established.
● 1911: The British government abolished the practice of sati.
● 1920s: Women actively participated in the Indian independence movement, with
figures like Sarojini Naidu, Kasturba Gandhi, and Aruna Asaf Ali playing key roles.
● 1930s: The All-India Women's Conference focused on social and economic issues
affecting women.

Post-Independence India (1947-1970s)

● 1947: The Indian Constitution guaranteed equality and non-discrimination on the

basis of gender.
● 1950s: The Hindu Marriage Act and the Dowry Prohibition Act were passed to
protect women's rights.
● 1960s: The National Commission for Women was established.
● 1967: The Equal Remuneration Act ensured equal pay for equal work.
1970s and Beyond

● 1970s: The Chipko Movement emerged, highlighting women's role in environmental

conservation.
● 1975: The National Commission for the Self-Employed Women was established.
● 1980s: The Mahila Dakshata Samiti (Women's Efficiency Committee) was formed to
promote women's empowerment.
● 1986: The National Commission for Women was reconstituted with broader powers.
● 1990s: Women's self-help groups (SHGs) gained prominence, empowering women
economically.
● 2000s: The Protection of Women against Sexual Harassment at Workplaces Act was
passed.
● 2013: The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplaces Act was amended to include
broader definitions and protections.
● 2018: The Criminal Law Amendment Act strengthened laws against sexual assault
and harassment.

Women Participation in Economic

Growth

GDP growth and women participation:

One effect of including women in the labor market is to increase labor productivity,
hence contributing to increased GDP growth. This is because of the difference in
skills and perspectives brought into the workplace, whereby varied input encourages
innovation and efficiency. Households are more often associated with increased
earnings when women are employed, thus increasing consumer spending and
boosting economic activities to increase GDP further. Women entrepreneurs
increasingly contribute to economic development through the establishment and
management of enterprises, thereby creating employment and earning incomes.

Employment Rates and Women's Economic Participation

The better the female labor force participation rates, the better the economic
opportunities for women and the less discriminatory the labor market. Improved
employment of women is linked to lower gender pay differences and higher
economic equality. However, the real distribution of women in industries and
occupations should be considered. It might be expected that if women are
concentrated in low-income or precarious jobs, the contribution this can make to
income inequality and the broader improvement of economic development will be
small.

Information on Income Inequality and Women's Economic Participation

Government Policies
Key Government Policies for Women in India
● Education and Training: Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, National Programme for Girl
Child Education, Mahila Samakhya
● Labor Market Reforms: Equal Remuneration Act, Maternity Benefit Act, Sexual
Harassment of Women at Workplaces Act
● Property Rights and Inheritance: Hindu Succession Act, Domestic Violence Act
● Healthcare and Reproductive Rights: National Rural Health Mission, National
Health Policy, National Family Planning Programme
● Political Representation: Reservation for Women, National Commission for Women
● Social Safety Nets: Mahila Samriddhi Yojana, National Food Security Act, National
Social Assistance Programmes

Traditional Areas of Focus

Education and Training: Government initiatives can move towards gender equality in
ensuring that girls and women receive equal opportunities in education and
vocational training programs. These will successfully break down the traditional
stereotypes of masculinity and femininity, and also prepare women with the needed
capital to participate fully in the labour market.

Labour Market Reforms: The policy should address the gender wage gap and
flexibility in the workplace, as well as sexual harassment, in order to provide a more
decent and safe place for women at work.

Laws that guarantee women's rights to property and inheritance can lead to their
achieving economic independence and security.
Access to affordable health care, including reproductive health services, is vital for
improving women's well-being and empowering them.

Political Representation: Initiatives that contribute to increasing women's

participation in political circles will enable them to express their views and have their
concerns taken into consideration in decision-making processes.

Social Safety Nets: Strong social safety nets, such as childcare subsidies and
maternity leave benefits, may enable women to balance work and family
responsibilities.

Summary: Women as Bread Earners

● Increased participation: Women are increasingly becoming primary breadwinners
in households.
● Factors driving the shift: Expanded education opportunities, inclusive job markets,
changing societal norms, and economic necessity.
● Impact on households: Women's contributions are vital to family financial well-
being.
● Impact on economy: Women's participation drives economic growth and innovation.
● Societal transformation: This trend is reshaping gender roles, work-life balance, and
economic policies.

Women of Rural India

Key Role in Agriculture: The main backbone of
agricultural production, rural women often work with
men in farming activities.
Household Responsibilities: This group bears the first
responsibility with regard to domestic chores,
childcaring, and elder caring.
Limited access to resources: Rural women are
oftentimes described as having limited access to
education, healthcare, and economic opportunities when
compared with their urban counterparts.
Challenges include issues regarding gender-based
violence, child marriage, and discrimination, which are
common in rural areas.
Empowerment Programs: Various government initiatives
and NGOs are striving to empower rural women through
education, skill development, and economic activities.
SHGs: One of the most dynamic and workable groups in
empowering rural women both economically and
socially.
Land Access Bottlenecks: One of the major obstacles to
land ownership for many rural women is a
circumscription of their economic empowerment.
The effects of climate change affect women in rural
areas more; this issue increases their vulnerability and
the level of poverty.
Resilience and Adaptability: Among many hardships,
rural women have been excelling in resilience and
adaptability.
Forward Look: In the process of fulfilling their needs and
empowering them, rural women will have an important
role to play in the emergence of a resurgent rural India.

Women in Urban India

● Diverse Roles: Women in urban India play diverse roles,
including professionals, entrepreneurs, homemakers, and
students.
● Economic Opportunities: Urban areas offer greater economic
opportunities for women compared to rural areas, but disparities
still exist.
 ● Challenges: Women in urban areas face challenges such as
gender-based violence, discrimination, and limited access to
resources.
● Education and Employment: Urban women have higher
education levels and are more likely to be employed than their
rural counterparts.
● Workplace Challenges: Despite progress, women in urban
India continue to face workplace challenges like gender wage
gaps and sexual harassment.
● Social Issues: Issues such as domestic violence, child marriage,
and dowry-related violence persist in urban areas.
● Urban Planning: Urban planning initiatives should consider the
specific needs and challenges faced by women in cities.
● Empowerment Initiatives: Government programs and NGOs
are working to empower urban women through education, skill
development, and economic opportunities.
● Role in Urban Development: Women's participation is
essential for sustainable and inclusive urban development.
● Future Outlook: With continued efforts to address their needs
and empower them, urban women can play a pivotal role in
shaping the future of Indian cities.

Women's Roles in Various

Environments
Social Environment

● Community Leaders: Women are increasingly taking on leadership roles in their

communities, advocating for social change and representing the interests of
marginalized groups.
● Family Structures: Women's roles within families have evolved, with many women
becoming primary breadwinners or co-breadwinners.
● Cultural Norms: Women are challenging traditional gender roles and stereotypes,
contributing to a more inclusive and equitable society.
Political Environment

● Elected Officials: Women are making significant strides in politics, holding positions
of power at local, national, and international levels.
● Advocacy and Activism: Women are actively involved in advocacy and activism,
raising awareness of important issues and driving social and political change.
● Policy Formulation: Women's perspectives are increasingly being sought in the
development of policies that affect their lives.

Legal Environment

● Legal Professionals: Women are well-represented in the legal profession, serving as

judges, lawyers, and legal scholars.

Advocating for Women's Rights: Women's rights advocates play a crucial role in
ensuring that laws protect women's interests and address gender-based discrimination.

● Legal Reforms: Women's activism has led to significant legal reforms that have
improved the status of women in society.

Technological Environment

● STEM Fields: Women are making significant contributions to science, technology,

engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, driving innovation and progress.
● Digital Inclusion: Women are playing a vital role in promoting digital inclusion and
ensuring that everyone has access to technology.
● Technology Entrepreneurs: Women entrepreneurs are making a significant impact
in the technology sector, creating new businesses and driving economic growth.

Economic Environment

● Workforce Participation: Women are increasingly entering the workforce,

contributing to economic growth and development.
● Entrepreneurship: Women entrepreneurs are making a significant contribution to
the economy, creating jobs and driving innovation.
● Economic Empowerment: Policies and programs aimed at empowering women
economically are essential for achieving gender equality and sustainable
development.

CASE STUDY
Oprah Winfrey, Gita Gopinath (Early life, education Contribution)