Are women really empowered in India?

Certain words are spoken so very often that they lose their gravity and don't carry any real meaning to them. These words are spoken, only to acquire certain self-benefits, to gain value in society, or just to discharge one's duty. One such word is women empowerment! Very good to listen to, very good to gain value in society and a great source of earning for some people and to prove themselves that they are very concerned and evolved but what's the reality? Is the word "women empowerment" used with its true intentions? 

So we should never forget that grass always looks green on the other side of the river, and we just have to see the truth behind that unrealistic greenery if we want to see our nation in a better position from now! See, the fact is that we are still living in a male dominating society. And even today, women of India suffer from several legal disabilities. Though many women have and are outshining our nation's name at the national or international level, how can we ignore those women belonging to almost every state of the country, especially in rural areas, 

1. Who are not even allowed to step out of their houses without taking that GHONGHAT?
2. Those who become victims of female foeticide? India has one of the highest female foeticide incidents in the world. The female child population in the age group of 0-6 years has declined from 78.83 million in 2001 to 75.84 million in 2011. Which is really shocking.
3. Those who are brutally beaten by their drunken husbands every night?
4.  And who has to go through n number of tortures and exploitations?

I'm not saying that women in India aren't empowered, but I'm saying that women in India are relatively disempowered, and enjoy a somewhat lower status than men. The gender gap still exists regarding access to education and employment. Household decision-making power and freedom of movement vary considerably with age, education, and employment status.

On visiting the official website of Women And Child Development of Govt. In India, you will find that there're 15 major schemes and a good amount of budget allocation for women's empowerment. In reality, hardly 5 to 10% of women are getting advantage of it. And we Indians proudly call it "Women empowerment".

Discussing the safety of women in India, a recent study took place to analyze the status of women's empowerment in India reveals that the reported cases of crime against women rose 83%between 2007 and 2017, and this has forced us to believe that India is one of the most dangerous countries for women. Yes, women in India are so unsafe that even stepping out of their houses after sunset is considered suicidal in most parts of the nation. And this puts a big question mark on women's safety in India.

So I guess, now we should talk about the solution too. If we truly want women to be empowered, then the very first thing that requires a change is our mentality. A revolutionary change in our mindset is required. Then comes the role of education. Students from the very beginning should be taught to respect and maintain the dignity of the opposite gender. Last but not least, this society must realize that it is in everyone's best interest to empower and uplift women.

Summing up, at last, I will say a well-known quote that~

It isn't us to awaken the people about women's empowerment, but it is the women themselves, who need to be awakened. Because once she's on the move, her family moves, her village moves, and the entire nation moves.