INTRODUCTION:

According to the World Health Organization, health is not merely the absence of disease but a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being. The real meaning of being healthy is focusing on yourself and adopting healthy ways of living. Active participation of people at all levels is essential for the sustainable, comprehensive and sustainable development and progress of any nation, state or community. All caste, caste, religion, and creed of the society will not develop unless the people of the country or state become partners for development and progress. Support and cooperation of women is also very essential. All-round development is not possible unless women play their active participation and role at the national and international level. Once all-round development of women is achieved, development of family, village, city and country can be possible.

After independence in India, health has been one of the main goals facing the country. There have always been obstacles in bringing health facilities to the rural people of the country. Health problems are particularly acute in rural areas. For all these situations there is a lack of expertise in primary health centers created to deal with diseases in rural areas.

Understanding the importance of women's empowerment, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru has said that “If you want to create awareness among the masses, first create awareness among women. Once they move forward, a family moves forward, automatically the whole country moves forward.”

Dr. A.P.J. Explaining the importance of women empowerment, Abdul Kalam states that “Women empowerment is a prerequisite for building a good nation, because if women are empowered, there will be stability in the society, their values and thoughts will lead to the development of a good family. A good family will result in a good society and ultimately a good society will be built.”

· Meaning of Women Empowerment:

Empowerment is a multidimensional social process that helps people take control over their own lives, society and society. Which happens at various levels in social, psychological, economic and political fields.

Empowerment means “building capacity”.

John Harris :- “Empowerment is the main theme of governance in the post-liberalization period in India which frees people from all forms of oppression by reforming the social structure.”

World Bank:- According to the definition given in the 'Source' book "Empowerment is the process of increasing the control and participation of the poor in the institutions that affect the lives of the poor".

As Evelyn Hust notes, the term empowerment originated in the 1970s debate on education in America. Feminist thinkers and activists advanced the concept Power in Empowerment is closely related to liberal thinking about power-decision-making process Power is important in women's empowerment. It includes force and influence.

Sushila Pareek :- “ Women Empowerment means empowering women. Both power and means are concepts associated with quality of living.

Renuka Pameya :- “Women empowerment means social justice and equality or women's independent identity or acceptance as human beings.

Chandrika Rawal – Explaining the characteristics of women empowerment as follows.

- Women empowerment is a process.

- This process is a collective conscious effort by women.

- In this process women get their place and space.

- It empowers women.

- It is a new concept of power.

- It is a process of social change.

- It changes traditional beliefs about women.

· Importance of Women – Empowerment:

In Indian society, women empowerment is very important in social, economic, educational, political, legal etc.

1. Personal Importance :-

In addition to different fields, women can become aware individually to face issues and challenges, develop skills, gain decision-making power, and women can realize their worth, contribute to social development, gain self-respect, understanding and respect and seriously remove injustices. Women's empowerment is essential in terms of multiple aspects that can be operational zed.

2. Social Significance:-

Women's empowerment is an important process to lead women in society and freedom from injustice, exploitation or harassment. There have also been agitations for this. Women's organizations and social-reformers have also raised collective consciousness. Women's empowerment ignores the prevailing sentiment towards women in society. Strives to give respect to women. Enabling proper socialization in the society is useful for empowering women and it is also essential for building leadership and self-confidence.

3. Educational Significance –

Special facilities given to women through education drive women-empowerment. Educational empowerment is the means to change the traditional attitudes of women in the right direction. Empowerment is essential to increase business skills among women. With education, women are able to achieve their goals, achievements and success, build self-confidence and become self-reliant by taking education in their favourite fields. That is why women empowerment is essential in education.

4. Economic Importance :-

Economic empowerment of women is essential for the development of the nation. To give women equal rights in property, awareness, empowerment of women earners is essential to have their right on income, to become financially self-sufficient. Many organizations like the internationally renowned Gujarati SEWA (Self Employed Women's Association) have made proud efforts for the economic self-reliance of women. Women who are engaged in agriculture or allied home industries or self-employment. Empowerment is essential to ensure that they are properly compensated for their work and their economic contribution is counted.

5. Political Significance :-

The concept of empowerment is also involved in the political sphere. Article 14, 15, and 16 of the Constitution of India enshrine the right to equality between men and women in the state, prohibit gender discrimination, and provide for women's reservation in local self-government bodies, giving women the opportunity for political empowerment. In India, women's empowerment has emerged through laws related to women.

· Women Empowerment Programmes:

In India, caste equality is mentioned in the preamble, fundamental rights, fundamental duties and guiding principles of the Constitution. The constitution of the country gives equality to women. Not only that, but empowers the state to take functional steps in favour of women.

India's development policy since independence, the Five Year Plan supports various programs for women's empowerment. Supports International Women's Year, Women's Decade etc. held worldwide during the Fifth Five Year Plan. Various programs like educational programs, vocational, programs, health oriented programs, welfare schemes in social sector, sports sector and rights and laws are done to empower women. Which can be seen to be more and more meaningful for women empowerment.

IMPORTANCE OF STUDY:

The present study is done in the context of Dharampur taluka of Valsad district. Most of the population in this area belongs to the tribal community. The proportion of Scheduled Tribe women in the rural areas of the taluka is significant. And women have a special contribution in social, economic, activities. Due to the poor economic status of women, knowledge about education, health and nutrition, employment opportunities, political and legal awareness, participation in decision making, status in society etc. Through this study it is possible to know and understand what kind of educational, economic, social, political and legal awareness there is in women empowerment, especially among women.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY:

- Obtaining basic information of rural women.

- To get information about socio-economic activities of rural women.

- To understand the decision making process of women in family and business activities.

- To know the political participation and awareness of rural women.

- To study the rights and legal awareness of rural women.

HYPOTHESES OF THE STUDY:

- There is no difference in the rate of participation of rural women in social, economic and political spheres

- There is no relationship between level of education and occupation among rural women

- There is no difference in the level of legal knowledge of women according to their level of education.

STUDY METHODOLOGY:

The present study is a study on women empowerment. 10 villages from Dharampur Taluk of Valsad Taluk of Gujarat State have been selected as the unit of study to investigate this study. A total of 300 women i.e. 30-30 rural women from each village have been selected through purposive sampling method. After integrating the data in this study, the following findings and implications have been observed.

FINDINGS OF THE STUDY:

Based on the research it is concluded that as a result of various programs for women empowerment there has been an improvement in the rural women of Dharampur taluka. The correct information is realized through following various findings.

Looking at the level of education of rural women, it is seen that only 33% of families have higher secondary education and 12% of families have education up to postgraduate level. Thus, the proportion of families with maximum education appears to be very low. But the proportion of sons with maximum education in the family is higher. Which shows that women are becoming more aware in the field of education. Women across the study believe that education helps themselves or their families. 67 percent of them women believe that education has become more useful in agriculture, housework, livelihood and religious field than other fields. In the present study, 96 percent of women believe that their development is due to education. It means that women now understand the importance of education.

Studying the economic aspects of rural women, it is found that 76% of the total women in the study are involved in agriculture. And in that too, along with agricultural activities, animal husbandry is also seen. 64% women are found to be involved in milk production. Hence, it is clear from this that today's women are becoming aware in the field of employment.

In Dharampur taluka Maa Foundation, Dhuwa Bif, Mahila Adivasi Utkarsh Mandal, Adarsh Mahila Mandal, Jashoda Narottam Public Charity Trust etc. non-governmental organizations are working in them except Enard Foundation, all the organizations are working in Kaprada taluka.

The level of education is directly related to the participation of women in various sectors. Educated women have more participation in family, economic, social, decision-making than illiterate women.

Women's participation in family decision-making processes has been observed to be 54%. The husband and wife attain the status of sajjanata. The personal freedom share of women has been seen as 18.20 percent. Which shows that women have to be subservient to men.

The percentage of women having knowledge of all types of laws except on marriage is found to be very low. Apart from this, among the respondents living in rural areas, the knowledge of laws like child marriage, dowry, child adoption, anti-atrocity laws, feminised, equal pay is insufficient. That is, the level of legal empowerment among women in rural areas is very weak.

Among the total women of the study, 76.10 percent women are not interested in politics while 23.90 percent women have found interest and interest in the political field. The percentage of women interested in the political sphere is low. Here it is found that educated women take more interest in political field than illiterate women.

This study found that 75 percent of women are happy with their in-laws. While 25 percent women are not happy. Behind her are the beatings done by her husband as an addict, poor financial condition of the family, lack of children, etc.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Attention should be paid to ensure that all students receive adequate education in primary schools in rural areas. Emphasis should be given to imparting secondary education more and more. The political sphere should think and brainstorm about the empowerment of rural women. At the same time efforts should be made to eliminate social problems. Efforts should be made to know the laws and rights. Programs and schemes should be created to create more employment opportunities for women at the nearest place. In the family or society, women should have equal decision-making rights.

REFERENCE:

1. Nidhi Bharadraj (2012) - 'Women Empowerment' Sagar Publication Jaipur,

2. Darshid, Dave (1999) - 'Tribal Women and Development' Punecity Granth Nirman Board, Ahmedabad

3. Kalpana Shah (2003) - 'Women's Education: Development and Challenges' RR Seth Company, First Edition

4. Shri.L Sharma – Social Affairs – Jaipur Rawat Publications

5. Kamla Nath (2007) - Education and Empowerment of Women A case study of India

6. Dr. Sumitra Patel (2018) - 'Women's Empowerment' - (in reference to rural women of Valsad district

7. Dedicated to Planning and Development, Ahmedabad from 2002 to 2012

8. Arthat, Managing Director, Center for Social Studies, Surat, January – March 2000

9. Arthasaklan: Public Charitable Trust Ahmedabad, September-2008

10. Gram Swaraj, Gujarat State Co-operative Sangh, Ahmedabad, 10 March 2010-11

11. Sociology – Class 12 Gujarat State Text Book Society Gadhinagar Page :- 46

Received on 01.01.2024 Modified on 31.01.2024

Int. J. Ad. Social Sciences. 2024; 12(1):13-16.

DOI: 10.52711/2454-2679.2024.00004