WOMAN EMPOWERMENT AND CONSTITUTION

By

Amardeep Singh, Student, LL.B. -3^rd year(Author)

WOMAN EMPOWERMENT, We all talk about the woman empowerment on the day of 8^th of March with full enthusiasm, till 9^th of March the effect remains about 50% till 15^th of March effect remains approx 20% and on 1^st of April we are beginning to make everybody fool.

The constitution of India stands in the favor of the concept of woman empowerment. Woman empowerment is the empowerment of woman which helps them to take their own decisions by breaking all personal limitations of society and family. For this purpose woman has need to empower themselves by being strong from heart and think from mind. Woman empowerment is very necessary to make a bright of family and society. In order to make our country fully developed. It is the major need to empower the woman.

As per the constitution of India is concern, It provide various things for the upliftment of woman in the society so that woman stand on equal footing. From the very beginning of the constitution in preamble it provides for “ equality of status and of opportunity and promotion of them among all citizens of the country” which includes the woman citizens. After preamble it again speaks for woman empowerment in the shape of Fundamental Rights, which provides for equality of Man and Woman in shape of Article 14. This article provide a Legal point to grant equality to woman in society in all spheres just like man. Not only that, Article 15 of the Indian Constitution provides the prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth. Apart from these provisions Article 16 again provides for equality of opportunity in matters of public employment.

Supreme Court of India as the guardian of the Indian Constitution plays an important role in safeguarding of those provisions in various cases. Whether it is the case of Randhir Singh V. Union of India[1] in which court provide equal salary or the case of R.K.Ramachandran Iyer V. Union of India[2] in which the court held that the equal pay for equal work though not a Fundamental Right is certainly a constitutional goal and therefore capable of enforcement through the constitutional remedies under Article 32 of the constitution.

Not only the fundamental rights, the directive principles of state policy are also stand in the favor of woman empowerment. Article 39d mandates equal pay for equal work for both man and woman. Inequality between man and woman in society generates lots of problems which became a big obstruction in the way of success of nation. It is the birth right to get the equal value.

Apart from fundamental rights and DPSP, constitution again favors the concept of woman empowerment and equality in shape of fundamental duties. Article 51A (e) expects from the citizens of the country to promote harmony and spirit if brotherhood amongst all people and to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of woman. Woman has the power to change many things in the society and country. They are much better than man to deal with certain problems in the society and they can better understand the overpopulation for their family.

Woman empowerment is the legal mandate of Constitution of India. It can be possible to change the male dominated country into the equally dominated country of rich economy. Now, women are being conscious about their health, education, career, job and responsibility. They are showing their interest in every field. After long years of hard struggle they are getting their rights.

If we talk about the practical scenario, No doubt, in various parts of the country woman’s rights are violated. But, we cannot ignore the fact that the judges, advocates and even the law makers are woman in these days. Now the woman is no longer a weaker sex in the society which is used to keep under the thumb of the man, the gradual positive changes in the Indian Society has been proved beneficial for the woman status, positive thinking of people has take speed which changed the human mind politically, economically and socially towards woman.

In the competitive world, the Indian woman is also being conscious about the professional career (Socially, politically, economically and educationally) by following their responsibilities. Modern society is being aware about rights of woman and woman also being open minded and breaking social barriers in order to achieve their rights in all dimensions. Woman is capable enough to handle any impulsive violation in comparison to man whether in family or society.

In short constitution provides various provisions for empowerment, safeguards and rights of woman. In the end I remember the lines of Eleanor Roosevelt that

”A woman is like a Tea Bag

You never know how strong she is,

Until she gets into hot water.”

[1] AIR 1982 SC 879

[2] AIR 1984 SC 541

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