National policy for Women- 2017

"National Policy for Women will ensure no woman is ever deprived of opportunities in life" - Maneka Gandhi (Union women and child development minister) She is Devi Durga in north and mother Aatha in the south. She is the goddess Kali in the east and the deity Ambaji in the west. Yet her opinion is lost somewhere in the male-dominated society! India, the fastest growing economy in the world, is ranked 87th in a list of 144 countries based on gender equality. The problem needs efficient and long-lasting solutions. With the new policy Indian government seems to be moving in the right direction. What is the National policy for Women about? Centre after a gap of 15 years has come up with a draft national policy for women. This draft policy was released by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. It is in the words of Maneka Gandhi about “ scripting women empowerment”. .............Contd. The draft takes into consideration the safety issues. It seeks to address the emerging challenges in the modern society. The draft ensures food, shelter, health and free education for children in poor families. The bill aims at ensuring that women realize their full potential. Uplifting their rights to have access to opportunities and resources. Furthermore, it fulfils the task of giving the choices with the freedom of decision making. National Policy for Empowerment of Women was for first formulated in 2001. Nearly 15 years have passed and things have changed significantly. And this new bill addresses these issues. Pros of the draft: Management of Institutions of food/grain buy women self-help groups It seeks to create a society with women working as equal partners This will enable uninterrupted supply of food grains. In addition, even in times of man-made calamities, these SHG's will ensure proper supply of the food requirements. ...........Contd. Free education for women and girls from poor families This will ensure education for girls from poor families who are unable to access education otherwise. Health-card for women The draft has proposed a health-card for women to ensure coverage against the majority of diseases. It provides access to medication and health facilities. The move will bring relief to a majority of them from rural and suburban areas. Providing bail to any woman accused of non-heinous crimes The bill has a section which proposes to provide bail to the women accused of non-heinous crimes and having been under trial for one-third of the jail time. Hence it will bring relief to every poor woman who is unable to afford lawyers and pursue justice in the long battles in courts. .........Contd. To improve child sex ratio The bill calls for measures to counter against this skewed child sex ratio in India. As a result, this will help prevent child infanticide in India and girl child deaths. Addresses violence against women The draft addresses various forms of violence against women. This draft aims to end domestic violence and harassment in workplace etc. One stop Centre for women helpline The bill has proposed one-stop centre, Mahila police volunteers, surveillance mechanism in public places and panic buttons in mobiles. In consequence, this movie will ensure the safety of the women. Encourage Entrepreneurship amongst women The bill proposes platforms like Mahila e Haat. This will help encourage them to develop their ideas and be job creators. ........contd. Further various other provisions like extended maternity leave and flexible timings along with child care at workplace and life cycle healthcare facilities address the basic challenges which women face. However, all is not perfect and the draft faces its share of criticism as well. Cons of the draft: 1 Contraceptives do not find adequate mention. The draught proposes to move from female sterilization to male sterilization. However, contraceptives do not find appropriate promotion under the draft. No talk of sex education Although draft empowers girls through education, providing sex education seems not to be on the cards. Strengthening of laws to protect surrogate mothers Surprisingly though, the need of strengthening laws to protect surrogate mothers does not find any mention in the draft. ..........Contd. No referral to the problem of marital rape The draft talks of protection against violence, however, the problem of marital rape finds no mention. This is probably the biggest loophole in the draft. No clear roadmap outlined The draft clicks on various checkboxes but lacks on the step to provide a mechanism against the plans. Seems like, it lingers on the possibility been high on paper but absent in reality. Now when we compare the pros and the cons of the new draft, we can say it's a step in the right direction. Change seems to be around the corner and will hopefully find its way into the Indian society soon. Bridging the gender gap in our society is the need of the hour, and this new draft is probably the first of the many decisions. Hopefully, it will bring an end to the notion of the better one. And replace it with the notion of equal halves. Probably the start of a new India? ............End.

To improve child sex ratio

Addresses violence against women

One stop Centre for women helpline

Encourage Entrepreneurship amongst women

NIS

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