Women- In charge of our own destiny

The country’s next phase of growth would not only rely on women’s empowerment but also be led by it. I read a report by the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation which highlighted that the objective to transform women’s development into women-led development underlies many of the government’s initiatives aimed at empowering girls and women. Recent data indicates that there is a shift taking place in women’s role, position, and importance at home, in the workplace and in the wider economy and society. The latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) for example shows vital improvements in women’s development indices in terms of  health, financial independence, and entrepreneurship. There has been a significant reduction in the country’s maternal mortality rate (MMR) to 103 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2017-19 from 113 in 2016-18. But 103 is still too high.

 

There is participation from nearly 90 percent of married women in key household decisions, including those related to major household purchases. Additionally, over the years, more than 86 million women have been mobilized into 8 million self-help groups (SHGs) for social and financial empowerment. Galvanising livelihood training and educating them through these well organised SHGs should be in mission mode. The best MFI s we funded  in my career as a banker were those that helped the SHGs to repay their loans by the economic empowerment of the women members. The work of the legendary Ela Bhatt and the legacy she has left behind in the leadership of SEWA, the Mandeshi Bank led by Chetna Galla Sinha , and many others need continuous   showcasing and replicating.