The global wage gap between men and women stands as a stark testament to the pervasive gender inequalities that continue to plague economies worldwide. Despite some strides toward equality, even today, the labor force participation rate for women remains just over 50 per cent, starkly contrasted with men’s 80 per cent. In India, while the wage gap has narrowed from a shocking 48 per cent in the early 1990s to 28 per cent by 2019, it continues to be a significant barrier to true gender equality. This disparity highlights the pressing need for economic empowerment as a crucial step toward achieving gender parity.
However, the question arises: Is economic empowerment the entire solution, or is there more to the story?
Economic empowerment is often hailed as the cornerstone of gender equality. There’s no doubt that financial independence is essential for women to take control of their lives. Yet, true empowerment extends far beyond earning a paycheck. Women must also gain the power to lead, make decisions, and drive social change. This is especially critical in India, where 29.3 per cent of married Indian women between the ages of 18 and 49 have experienced domestic/sexual violence, with higher rates among working women. These disturbing statistics make it clear that empowerment must transcend economic gains and address deeper societal issues, including ingrained social norms, cultural practices, and institutional barriers.
But let’s be clear—economic empowerment alone is not enough. Real change happens when women reclaim their identities and assert their roles as leaders. Women are inherent leaders; they are the primary caretakers who understand the needs of the family, support them, and provide care. They possess leadership skills that we need to help them recognise and rekindle to realise their true potential. In many communities, a woman’s identity remains tied to the men in her life—she is often seen as someone’s wife, daughter, sister, or mother, rather than being recognised for her own achievements. The persistence of the “Sarpanch Pati” phenomenon in India, where a woman elected as a village head is overshadowed by her husband’s influence, underscores the ongoing struggle for women to assert their identities and make autonomous decisions. This highlights the need for more gender-sensitive panchayats and gender-inclusive Gram Panchayat Development Plans that prioritise women’s empowerment and ensure their participation in governance.
Disha, enabled by Tata Steel Foundation, envisions a society where every woman realises her potential with dignity and contributes to her community’s development. By 2027, the project aims to train 6,000 women leaders who will serve as catalysts for gender equality and social inclusion. Disha’s approach is structured around three core modules: leadership, governance, and networking. These modules equip women with the skills and knowledge to lead effectively in both their personal lives and communities. By nurturing role models within their communities, the programme paves the way for women to assume strategic positions in society and decision-making bodies, championing human rights, gender equality, and developmental issues.
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The story of Malti Singh is one that emphasises the importance of women’s participation in challenging societal norms. Born into the Bhumij tribe, Malti Singh’s life was marked by hardship from an early age. Married at 15 to escape her father’s alcoholism and a troubled home, she soon faced new challenges as her husband and mother-in-law also struggled with addiction. Despite overwhelming despair, Malti found the strength to fight back, driven by her love for her children. She emerged as a leader, forming self-help groups to combat alcoholism in her community. Her efforts led to the closure of eight illegal alcohol outlets, but the battle took a tragic turn when her husband was poisoned in retaliation by the Alcohol Mafia. Undeterred, Malti pursued justice with unwavering determination, ensuring those responsible were held accountable and punished. Her story is one of extraordinary individual leadership, demonstrating that even in the face of immense adversity, one person’s courage can bring hope and change to an entire community.
Similarly, the women of Tari village in Jajpur, Odisha, embody the power of collective leadership. The village grappled with severe water shortages that crippled farming and spread water-borne diseases, making life especially difficult for women and young girls. Faced with this crisis, the village’s women, led by Laxmi Buduli and Nandini Hananga, took matters into their own hands. They courageously tackled the neglected village pond, cleaning and desilting it despite the risks involved. Their determination sparked a movement. Initially met with doubt, the women’s relentless efforts eventually convinced the men and youth to join them, transforming the initiative into a collective endeavour. Together, they revived the pond, bringing much-needed water back to the village. Today, Tari is a flourishing community with ample water, thriving farms, and nutrition gardens nurtured by the women. This story of collective leadership and unity shows how determined action can turn adversity into a source of strength and inspiration for the entire village.
The journey towards empowerment is not one that women should undertake alone. Collective strength, shared experiences, and collaboration are crucial for driving empowerment and development on a group level. By working together, women can challenge social stereotypes, shatter glass ceilings, and forge a stronger collective voice. Platforms like Charcha, which bring women from diverse backgrounds together, are essential for initiating and encouraging dialogue. Through such collaborations, women can exchange ideas, discuss challenges, and develop solutions that work for the majority.
So yes, while economic empowerment is crucial, it is merely one piece of the puzzle. Real empowerment requires addressing deep-rooted issues of identity, leadership, and social norms. Only when women are recognised for who they are, beyond their economic contributions, can they be truly empowered to lead and make decisions that will bring lasting change for themselves and their communities! And the integration of these efforts with the SDGs ensures that the path to empowerment is not just a personal journey but a collective stride toward a more equitable and sustainable world.
At charcha 2024, organized by The/Nudge Forum, India’s foremost collaborative convening, a multitude of industry experts and partners converged to explore various topics. With 40+ sessions spanning across 12 immersive, livelihood-intersecting themes, supported by 20+ sector-leading co-hosts, charcha convened to collaborate towards the shared goal of Viksit and Inclusive Bharat by 2047.
Smita Verma is Lead, Gender and Community Enterprise, Tata Steel Foundation. Gayathri Swahar is Senior Director, Social Entrepreneurship, The/Nudge Institute. Views are personal.
Charcha is an initiative towards closing the distance between samaaj, sarkaar and bazaar, (society, government and markets) and was held at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi from August 20-22, 2024.
To know more, visit: charcha 2024
ThePrint is a media partner for charcha, organised by The/Nudge Institute.