Women Empowerment
NATIONAL POLICY FOR THE EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN
(2001) | |
|Introduction |
|The principle of gender equality is enshrined in the Indian Constitution in its Preamble, Fundamental |
|Rights, Fundamental Duties and Directive Principles. The Constitution not only grants equality to |
|women, but also empowers the State to adopt measures of positive discrimination in favour of women. |
|Within the framework of a democratic polity, our laws, development policies, Plans and programmes have|
|aimed at women’s advancement in different spheres. From the Fifth Five Year Plan (1974-78) onwards has|
|been a marked shift in the approach to women’s issues from welfare to development. In recent years, |
|the empowerment of women has been recognized as the central issue in determining the status of women. |
|The National Commission for Women was set up by an Act of Parliament in 1990 to safeguard the rights |
|and legal entitlements of women. The 73rd and 74th Amendments (1993) to the Constitution of India have|
|provided for reservation of seats in the local bodies of Panchayats and Municipalities for women, |
|laying a strong foundation for their participation in decision making at the local levels. |
|1.3 India has also ratified various international conventions and human rights instruments committing |
|to secure equal rights of women. Key among them is the ratification of the Convention on Elimination |
|of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in 1993. |
|1.4 The Mexico Plan of Action (1975), the Nairobi Forward Looking Strategies (1985), the Beijing |
|Declaration as well as the Platform for Action (1995) and the Outcome Document adopted by the UNGA |
|Session on Gender Equality and Development & Peace for the 21st century, titled "Further actions and |
|initiatives to implement the Beijing Declaration and
(2001) | |
|Introduction |
|The principle of gender equality is enshrined in the Indian Constitution in its Preamble, Fundamental |
|Rights, Fundamental Duties and Directive Principles. The Constitution not only grants equality to |
|women, but also empowers the State to adopt measures of positive discrimination in favour of women. |
|Within the framework of a democratic polity, our laws, development policies, Plans and programmes have|
|aimed at women’s advancement in different spheres. From the Fifth Five Year Plan (1974-78) onwards has|
|been a marked shift in the approach to women’s issues from welfare to development. In recent years, |
|the empowerment of women has been recognized as the central issue in determining the status of women. |
|The National Commission for Women was set up by an Act of Parliament in 1990 to safeguard the rights |
|and legal entitlements of women. The 73rd and 74th Amendments (1993) to the Constitution of India have|
|provided for reservation of seats in the local bodies of Panchayats and Municipalities for women, |
|laying a strong foundation for their participation in decision making at the local levels. |
|1.3 India has also ratified various international conventions and human rights instruments committing |
|to secure equal rights of women. Key among them is the ratification of the Convention on Elimination |
|of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in 1993. |
|1.4 The Mexico Plan of Action (1975), the Nairobi Forward Looking Strategies (1985), the Beijing |
|Declaration as well as the Platform for Action (1995) and the Outcome Document adopted by the UNGA |
|Session on Gender Equality and Development & Peace for the 21st century, titled "Further actions and |
|initiatives to implement the Beijing Declaration and