• India CSR Awards 2025
  • Guest Posts
Sunday, July 20, 2025
  • Login
India CSR
  • Home
  • Corporate Social Responsibility
    • Art & Culture
    • CSR Leaders
    • Child Rights
    • Culture
    • Education
    • Gender Equality
    • Around the World
    • Skill Development
    • Safety
    • Covid-19
    • Safe Food For All
  • Sustainability
    • Sustainability Dialogues
    • Sustainability Knowledge Series
    • Plastics
    • Sustainable Development Goals
    • ESG
    • Circular Economy
    • BRSR
  • Corporate Governance
    • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Interviews
  • SDGs
    • No Poverty
    • Zero Hunger
    • Good Health & Well-Being
    • Quality Education
    • Gender Equality
    • Clean Water & Sanitation – SDG 6
    • Affordable & Clean Energy
    • Decent Work & Economic Growth
    • Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure
    • Reduced Inequalities
    • Sustainable Cities & Communities
    • Responsible Consumption & Production
    • Climate Action
    • Life Below Water
    • Life on Land
    • Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions
    • Partnerships for the Goals
  • Articles
  • Events
  • हिंदी
  • More
    • Business
    • Finance
    • Environment
    • Economy
    • Health
    • Around the World
    • Social Sector Leaders
    • Social Entrepreneurship
    • Trending News
      • Important Days
        • Festivals
      • Great People
      • Product Review
      • International
      • Sports
      • Entertainment
    • Case Studies
    • Philanthropy
    • Biography
    • Technology
    • Lifestyle
    • Sports
    • Gaming
    • Knowledge
    • Home Improvement
    • Words Power
    • Chief Ministers
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Corporate Social Responsibility
    • Art & Culture
    • CSR Leaders
    • Child Rights
    • Culture
    • Education
    • Gender Equality
    • Around the World
    • Skill Development
    • Safety
    • Covid-19
    • Safe Food For All
  • Sustainability
    • Sustainability Dialogues
    • Sustainability Knowledge Series
    • Plastics
    • Sustainable Development Goals
    • ESG
    • Circular Economy
    • BRSR
  • Corporate Governance
    • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Interviews
  • SDGs
    • No Poverty
    • Zero Hunger
    • Good Health & Well-Being
    • Quality Education
    • Gender Equality
    • Clean Water & Sanitation – SDG 6
    • Affordable & Clean Energy
    • Decent Work & Economic Growth
    • Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure
    • Reduced Inequalities
    • Sustainable Cities & Communities
    • Responsible Consumption & Production
    • Climate Action
    • Life Below Water
    • Life on Land
    • Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions
    • Partnerships for the Goals
  • Articles
  • Events
  • हिंदी
  • More
    • Business
    • Finance
    • Environment
    • Economy
    • Health
    • Around the World
    • Social Sector Leaders
    • Social Entrepreneurship
    • Trending News
      • Important Days
        • Festivals
      • Great People
      • Product Review
      • International
      • Sports
      • Entertainment
    • Case Studies
    • Philanthropy
    • Biography
    • Technology
    • Lifestyle
    • Sports
    • Gaming
    • Knowledge
    • Home Improvement
    • Words Power
    • Chief Ministers
No Result
View All Result
India CSR
No Result
View All Result
FKCCI Announces India CSR & Sustainability Conference &  Awards 2025 FKCCI Announces India CSR & Sustainability Conference &  Awards 2025 FKCCI Announces India CSR & Sustainability Conference &  Awards 2025
ADVERTISEMENT
Home Women

Women’s Empowerment: A means or an end?

India CSR by India CSR
March 7, 2022
in Women
Reading Time: 6 mins read
Women’s Empowerment: A means or an end?
Share Share Share Share

By: S M Sehgal Foundation

The preamble of the Indian Constitution speaks about gender equality as a fundamental right of women and a fundamental duty of the state. The state had been empowered to take measures to achieve positive results in this regard. The reality however is that even after seventy-five years of independence, India’s women continue to assume a role and position that is considered secondary.

FKCCI Announces India CSR & Sustainability Conference &  Awards 2025 FKCCI Announces India CSR & Sustainability Conference &  Awards 2025 FKCCI Announces India CSR & Sustainability Conference &  Awards 2025
ADVERTISEMENT

Historical Perspectives

The fractured history of India has seen several ups and downs in the ways women have been perceived in society. From the Rig Vedic period when women enjoyed equal status, to the Gupta period when their status deteriorated, male dominance took root. The Mughal period added to their woes with practices like child marriage, dowry, and sati coming to the fore. During British rule, several reformers fought for equal rights for women. Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru were advocates for women rights and, as a result of their efforts, the status of women in social, economic, and political life began to elevate somewhat. The transition has been slow, and even now women are perceived as the “weaker sex.”

Women’s Empowerment and the Un Charter

From the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) targeted at poor countries to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), women’s empowerment gained a new meaning. The MDG gender equality goal encompassed parity in education, political participation, and economic empowerment for women. On the other hand, SDG goal 3 was broader and talked about equal rights, opportunity, and freedom from discrimination and violence. The ethos of all the MDGs and SDGs were clear on one thing: achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment was integral to each.

As a corollary to the MDGs, a joint initiative of UN Global Compact and UN Women developed the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) in 2010. The broad canvas of these principles looked to empower women and girls in the workplace, marketplace, and community. These seven principles were based on “Real-life business practice, and seek to elaborate the gender dimension of corporate sustainability.” Though a noble cause, therein lay the dichotomy of these principles with respect to the role of women in India. Structural and social diversity in India abounds. To apply a broad concept, the main focus of which was on real-life business practices and corporate sustainability, is clearly not workable. India’s gender inequality is predominant in the rural hinterland where women are denied social and economic status. Undoubtedly, a step was taken and is “work in progress.” The government has moved ahead with the agenda of empowerment through social schemes targeted at the vulnerable; progress is visible, though slow.

Women’s Empowerment Principles in Brief

  • Establish high-level corporate leadership for gender equality.
  • Treat all women and men fairly at work; respect and support human rights and non-discrimination.
  • Ensure the health, safety, and well-being of all women workers.
  • Promote rural education in India, training and professional development for women.
  • Implement enterprise development, supply chain, and marketing practices that empower women.
  • Promote equality through community initiatives and advocacy.
  • Measure and publicly report on progress to achieve gender equality.

(Source: https://www.refworld.org/pdfid/4bcc0fcf2.pdf)

Means or the End?

Women’s empowerment is a continuous process and does not have an end point or an outcome that can be measured. Experiential pathways that are not clearly defined may have different outcomes for women in a diverse setup like India and have to be viewed holistically. To look at changing mores that have been ingrained in the social and cultural system requires a patient approach. On the other hand, if we view the positives that accrue as an ongoing, continuous improvement in their social, economic and health status, the achievement of sustainable rural development in India will show appreciable gains with the participation of women in all aspects of life.

Women’s empowerment is now a mainstream development concern in India. The question here, unlike in the developed world, is to look at “what development can do for women,” and then reap the rewards of “what women can do for development.” Women’s empowerment is the means to that end, which will continuously follow with equitable and synergistic progress in the economic, cultural, and social growth of the country.

The Way Forward in Providing the Means

The process of women’s empowerment is a pathway where women travel in individual and collective journeys. As a result, the gains often remain hidden. However, the areas of concern that could be and are being worked on are similar to those espoused by the SDG-5.

  • End discrimination against all women and girls.
  • Eliminate violence and exploitation against all women and girls in public and private life.
  • Eliminate all detrimental practices, like child and early marriage and female genital mutilation.
  • Recognize unpaid care and domestic work through state policies.
  • Participation and equal opportunities for women in political, economic and public life.
  • Promote reforms that give women equal rights including access to ownership and control over land and other forms of property, financial services, inheritance and natural resources.
  • Adopt technology to aid the empowerment of women.
  • Promote legislation that protects and promotes gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.

S M Sehgal Foundation: Driving Social Change Through Women’s Empowerment

Aurangabad District

The gender ratio in India has been skewed toward males and continues to defy the efforts of policymakers and government. Though the goals of achieving gender equality is paramount and has led to several initiatives in the right earnest, some areas like Haryana and Maharashtra show a dismal picture. Per census 2011, the gender ratio in Maharashtra was 929 females in 1,000 males, which is below the national average of 940/1,000. Birth of a girl child is still not as joyous an occasion for families as it is for the birth of a boy.

S M Sehgal Foundation, a rural development NGO in India has embarked on an initiative in district Aurangabad titled “My Daughter My Tree” to try and correct this anomaly. The objective is to counter the prevalent mind-set of preferring a boy over a girl through a unique program combined with environment protection.

This initiative felicitates parents of girls under the age of two years by providing them with a coconut tree, the fruit of which has great spiritual value, along with a tree guard. The tree is dedicated in the name of the girl child to celebrate her birth and also to increase the green cover.

The initiative was rolled out in about ten villages in Aurangabad with the dual objective of sensitizing people to gender equity while increasing green cover. S M Sehgal Foundation also organizes Women’s Leadership Schools (WLS) in these areas to promote local participation and prepare community leaders.

It is heartening to note that the locals have started to realize the potential of promoting girl children and giving them the opportunities that can ensure their brighter future.

Samastipur Bihar

S M Sehgal Foundation has been working to build the awareness of women in Samastipur (Bihar) on the benefits of preventive and remedial health, timely vaccination of children, and menstrual hygiene. Borrowing a leaf from the WEP principles, the route chosen to achieve this is to empower women volunteer leaders known as swasthyasakhis. These volunteers take the message to the community through ward level meetings and family visits.

The initiative has shown positive results, and the community is witnessing higher vaccination acceptance for children and better reproductive and general health for women. A direct contribution to the health agenda, an important WEP principle has been accrued through the selfless efforts of S M Sehgal Foundation.

(India CSR)

IndiaCSR Whatsapp Channel
Source: India CSR I 07 March 2022
Tags: S M Sehgal FoundationWomenWomen Empowerment

India CSR offers strategic corporate outreach opportunities to amplify your brand’s CSR, Sustainability, and ESG success stories.

📩 Contact us at: biz@indiacsr.in

Let’s collaborate to amplify your brand’s impact in the CSR and ESG ecosystem.

India CSR

India CSR

India CSR is the largest media on CSR and sustainability offering diverse content across multisectoral issues on business responsibility. It covers Sustainable Development, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Sustainability, and related issues in India. Founded in 2009, the organisation aspires to become a globally admired media that offers valuable information to its readers through responsible reporting.

Related Posts

india women empowerment
Women

Why Fighting Anemia is India’s Silent Revolution for Women’s Empowerment?

2 months ago
Sonal Shrivastava, CFO of Vedanta Group
Women

Sonal Shrivastava: CFO of Vedanta Group – Biography

2 years ago
What is Maternity Leave?
Women

What is Maternity Leave?

2 years ago
Shikhar Dhawan Foundation is partnering with Womennovator Creators Fest 2023, and Founder Shikhar Dhawan has extended his support to all nominees applying for the award. The fest will felicitate the top 100 content creatorsinfluencers at a gala event in New Delhi in July 2023.
Women

Womennovator Creators Fest 2023: Empowering Women in India’s Creator Economy

2 years ago
Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Stand-Up India Scheme Grants Over Rs 30,000 Crore in Loans Since 2016
Women

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Stand-Up India Scheme Grants Over Rs 30,000 Crore in Loans Since 2016

2 years ago
Sankara Eye Hospital & CII Young Indians Felicitate 7 Visually Impaired Women Leaders
Women

Sankara Eye Hospital & CII Young Indians Felicitate 7 Visually Impaired Women Leaders

2 years ago
Women Professionals Face Self-Limiting Biases in Leadership Opportunities
Women

Here are 5 Women Entrepreneurs whose vision will inspire you to dream!

2 years ago
Women Professionals Face Self-Limiting Biases in Leadership Opportunities
Women

Women Professionals Face Self-Limiting Biases in Leadership Opportunities: Report

2 years ago
India CSR Logo
Women

ILSS Survey Reveals 50% of Women Miss Leadership Opportunities Due to Self-Limiting Biases

2 years ago
Load More
India CSR Awards India CSR Awards India CSR Awards
ADVERTISEMENT

LATEST NEWS

रेटिंग एजेंसियों ने वेदांता को दी क्लीन चिट, वित्तीय हालत बेहद सुदृढ़

Top 6 Bonds to Invest in India (2025): From Tax-Free to Corporate Bonds

छत्तीसगढ़ में जनविश्वास विधेयक पारित: अब आपराधिक मुकदमा नहीं, लगेगा जुर्माना

हिन्दुस्तान जिंक राजपुरा दरीबा काॅम्प्लेक्स में 49 वें माइंस सुरक्षा सप्ताह के तहत् कार्यशाला आयोजित

Chhattisgarh Liquor Scam: ED Arrests Bhupesh Baghel’s Son Chaitanya, Sparks Chaos in Assembly

छत्तीसगढ़ शराब घोटाला: भूपेश बघेल के बेटे चैतन्य को ED ने हिरासत में लिया, विधानसभा सत्र में हंगामा

HZL HZL HZL
ADVERTISEMENT

TOP NEWS

Elanpro Rolls Out CSR Pilot to Train 100 Technicians Nationwide

CSR: Samarth-Jyoti Empowers 91 Graduates in Cutting & Tailoring and Beauty Culture in Pune

हिन्दुस्तान जिंक राजपुरा दरीबा काॅम्प्लेक्स में 49 वें माइंस सुरक्षा सप्ताह के तहत् कार्यशाला आयोजित

केवल कर-सत्यापित गैर-लाभकारी संस्थाएं ही सीएसआर फंडिंग के लिए पात्र

Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari, Visits Nand Ghar in Jaipur, Commends its Holistic Development Model

छत्तीसगढ़ में जनविश्वास विधेयक पारित: अब आपराधिक मुकदमा नहीं, लगेगा जुर्माना

Load More

Advertisement

Image Slider
content writing services Guest Post Top 5 Reasons to have Sponsored Posts at India CSR – India’s Largest CSR Media stem learning R2V2 Technologies Private Limited

Interviews

Himanshu Nivsarkar, Senior Executive Vice President and Head of CSR & ESG at Kotak Mahindra Bank
Interviews

Driving Sustainable Impact: An Interview with Himanshu Nivsarkar, Kotak Mahindra Bank

by India CSR
May 22, 2025

By Rusen Kumar NEW DELHI (India CSR): Himanshu Nivsarkar, Senior Executive Vice President and Head of CSR & ESG at Kotak...

Read moreDetails
Balamurugan Thevar, CSR Head at Shriram Finance

Empowering Women Drivers: An Interview with Balamurugan Thevar, CSR Head at Shriram Finance

May 20, 2025
N E Sridhar, the Chief Sustainability Officer at Titan Company Ltd.

Empowering Rural Craft Entrepreneurs: An Interview with N E Sridhar, Titan Company

May 15, 2025
Geetaj Channana, the Head of Corporate Strategy at Vivo India

Empowering Young Innovators Across India: An Interview with Geetaj Channana, the Head of Corporate Strategy at Vivo India

April 25, 2025
Load More
FKCCI Announces India CSR & Sustainability Conference &  Awards 2025 FKCCI Announces India CSR & Sustainability Conference &  Awards 2025 FKCCI Announces India CSR & Sustainability Conference &  Awards 2025
ADVERTISEMENT
Facebook Twitter Youtube LinkedIn Instagram
India CSR Logo

India CSR is the largest tech-led platform for information on CSR and sustainability in India offering diverse content across multisectoral issues. It covers Sustainable Development, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Sustainability, and related issues in India. Founded in 2009, the organisation aspires to become a globally admired media that offers valuable information to its readers through responsible reporting. To enjoy the premium services, we invite you to partner with us.

Follow us on social media:


Dear Valued Reader

India CSR is a free media platform that provides up-to-date information on CSR, Sustainability, ESG, and SDGs. They need reader support to continue delivering honest news. Donations of any amount are appreciated.

Help save India CSR.

Donate Now

donate at indiacsr

  • About India CSR
  • Team
  • India CSR Awards 2025
  • Partnership
  • Guest Posts
  • Services
  • Content Writing Services
  • Business Information
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donate

Copyright © 2025 - India CSR | All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Corporate Social Responsibility
    • Art & Culture
    • CSR Leaders
    • Child Rights
    • Culture
    • Education
    • Gender Equality
    • Around the World
    • Skill Development
    • Safety
    • Covid-19
    • Safe Food For All
  • Sustainability
    • Sustainability Dialogues
    • Sustainability Knowledge Series
    • Plastics
    • Sustainable Development Goals
    • ESG
    • Circular Economy
    • BRSR
  • Corporate Governance
    • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Interviews
  • SDGs
    • No Poverty
    • Zero Hunger
    • Good Health & Well-Being
    • Quality Education
    • Gender Equality
    • Clean Water & Sanitation – SDG 6
    • Affordable & Clean Energy
    • Decent Work & Economic Growth
    • Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure
    • Reduced Inequalities
    • Sustainable Cities & Communities
    • Responsible Consumption & Production
    • Climate Action
    • Life Below Water
    • Life on Land
    • Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions
    • Partnerships for the Goals
  • Articles
  • Events
  • हिंदी
  • More
    • Business
    • Finance
    • Environment
    • Economy
    • Health
    • Around the World
    • Social Sector Leaders
    • Social Entrepreneurship
    • Trending News
      • Important Days
      • Great People
      • Product Review
      • International
      • Sports
      • Entertainment
    • Case Studies
    • Philanthropy
    • Biography
    • Technology
    • Lifestyle
    • Sports
    • Gaming
    • Knowledge
    • Home Improvement
    • Words Power
    • Chief Ministers

Copyright © 2025 - India CSR | All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.