Where she shows the way

Context:

• The fact that women have progressed since Independence is a myth and we need to acknowledge that the nation cannot progress if half of it is held back.

Vision for development of women:

• Free from social boundaries: Every woman’s enterprise and individuality are recognised and she must be free from the shackles of hackneyed traditions, distorted social perceptions, and contradictory standards of morality.
• Enable to be financial independent: Enabling women to own property and safeguard their interests, to being economically independent and leaving their mark in the business space.
• Being part of growth: Indian women have seized the reins and developed a vision in tune with global developments.

Reality for Women:

• Less women representation: Only 15 and 14 per cent of MPs in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, respectively, are women; 11 women feature in the council of ministers; just 26 per cent of the selected candidates for Civil Services were women.
• Less self-sufficient and still dependent: Only 23.3 per cent are in the labour force; only 20.37 per cent are MSME owners; only 10 per cent of start-ups in India have women founders.
• Serving less than their proportion: As women accounts for half of the population, but only contribute 18 per cent to the nation’s GDP.