Empowering Women : Is Education necessary..?

                                             

 There are many people and organizations in our country which work for women empowerment. But again I left with a question which says, what is women empowerment is all about. Some would say Education, for some Health and for some it would be their presence in Politics. Well if we go with this arguments then any highly educated women or an Athlete or say a Politician would be more empowered than any other women who is illiterate and is a housewife..

     But there are some twists here. Lets first recall what Gandhiji said decades ago that... "if you educate a woman, then you are educating a whole civilization.." I think this would make more clear that its not only education which is essential but there is some inner strength which a woman possess and makes her capable of educating a whole civilization. I mentioned Gandhi just to make it clear that I am not against women's education.

      Now I would like to mention about that twist. Recently, after Dec 16, hope you all remember this very famous date (when Nirbhaya was gang raped), one of our female Lok Sabha member ( one among those 550 that represents whole country ) was quoted in a news paper saying she rush to her house in fear, if in case she got struck in some work. What else left to say. If a Parliamentarian has so much of fear from this society than what about all those common women in our country. Obviously they live their life in constant fear. What sense does education, post or power makes here. Nothing.

       If any women is handed over with a pistol, would she feel empowered ? Or say any highly educated women and CEO of a MNC. Could she to go fearless ? Empowerment is not something which is external. It must be understood by the people, our policy makers and women the most. That a sense of fearlessness and confidence in her mind and soul which actually empower her at best. It is the respect and a felling of honour towards women in the rest of the society which empowers a women. It is a matter of surprise for many of us that "Fundamental Duties" in our Constitution also says that "it is duty of every citizen to respect the dignity and honour of every woman". Therefore it is not which would come externally or can be imparted from outside. This must be inculcated in our basic education system. It must be a part of our value education given in the families. This only could bring some change. A change needed forever..