GENDER INEQUALITY AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT IN INDIA: ISSUES AND STRATEGIES

Abstract

Women's empowerment is essential for the progress of any society. Empowerment refers to people gaining the ability to think independently, make choices, and realize their full potential as equal members of society. It involves a psychological sense of personal agency and actual social influence, political authority, and legal rights. Empowerment is a multi-layered idea pertaining to individuals, organizations, and the community. Empowering women helps close the gender gap and brings women closer to achieving equality with men. Women play a strategic role in society's development, especially economic development. As family leaders and first teachers, suppliers of labor, and major contributors to agriculture, industry, services, and socio-culture, women create a civilized society. Women contribute directly or indirectly to economic development. Despite women's genetic power of reproduction, their socioeconomic status is poor, and women disproportionately experience poverty. The only solution is to empower women. Her hidden potential must be utilized, which requires improving her status and strengthening her economically. Poverty is the main cause of women's low bargaining power, so eliminating poverty is key. Empowering women and eliminating poverty go hand in hand. If educated and empowered, women's potential can be harnessed for economic development