In the post-independence period, various initiatives have been implemented to promote the freedom and equality of women in society. Key initiatives include constitutional provisions, social legislation for women, and planned economic development. The women’s movement has been significantly shaped by these larger socio-economic and political changes during this time.
- In the period after India gained independence, it was believed that economic development policies, like improving agriculture, industrialization, and technology, would lead to a better life for all, including women.
- However, these development strategies didn’t adequately consider the existing disparities based on class, caste, and gender. As a result, planned development in India ended up widening social and economic inequalities.
Approach regarding women development
| Five Year Plans (FYPs) | APPROACH REGARDING WOMEN DEVELOPMENT |
| First to Fifth Five Year Plans (1951-79) | Welfare Approach |
| Sixth Five Year Plan (1980-85) | Shift from Welfare to Development |
| Seventh Five Year Plan (1985-90) | Women and Development |
| Eighth Five Year Plan (1992-97) | Shift from Development to Women Empowerment |
| Ninth Five Year Plan (1997-2002) | Women as agents of change |
| 10th and 11th Five Year Plan (2002-2012) | Human Development and Inclusive Growth |
| 12th Five Year Plan (2012-2017) | Gender Equity |
First to Fifth Five Year Plans: Welfare Approach
- During the First Five Year Plan (1951-56), the approach was to offer essential services to enhance the well-being of women, enabling them to fulfill their proper roles in their families and communities.
- In this approach, the primary focus was on women’s welfare, and they were considered as passive beneficiaries of the incentives provided by the government.
- The plan proposed the establishment of dedicated organizations at both the central (national) and state levels to promote the well-being and welfare of women.
- In 1953, the Central Social Welfare Board was established, and it has branches in various states. These boards have been involved in supporting and implementing a range of programs, primarily with a focus on economic progress and development.
- The welfare approach continued to influence the policies and programs of the Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Five Year Plans, all of which were aimed at promoting the development of women.
- During this period, only two specific programs were introduced:
- Course of Education and Women and Socio-Economic Programme during the Second Plan (1956-1961).
- Working Girls Hostels and Short Stay Homes introduced during the Fourth Plan (1969-1974).
- A new awareness arose after the publication of “Toward Equality,” and in 1976, the Women’s Welfare and Development Bureau was established under the Ministry of Social Welfare.
- Additionally, four distinct working groups were formed to focus on women’s employment, adult education programs for women, women in agriculture, and rural development. These groups were tasked with developing action plans and strategies.
Sixth Five Year Plan: Shift from Welfare to Development
Starting from the Sixth Plan (1980-85), there was a noticeable shift from a welfare approach to a development approach. The welfare approach viewed women as individuals who received benefits, while the development approach acknowledged women as active participants in the development process, rather than just its recipients.
- This was a significant moment in the history of women’s development. It included a dedicated chapter and embraced a multi-disciplinary approach with a focus on health, education, and employment.
- It assessed the overall status of women and found that despite legal and constitutional protections, women had not progressed as much as men in various areas.
- For the first time, it clearly stated that achieving economic independence would speed up the progress of women. It also recommended establishing units at the district level to encourage women’s involvement through self-employment.
- It highlighted the importance of increasing the enrollment of girls at the elementary level, particularly in underprivileged regions, to promote women’s education.
In 1985, at the end of the Sixth Five Year Plan, the Department of Women and Child Development was established under the Ministry of Human Resource Development. This department was created to serve as a central organization responsible for creating and carrying out plans, policies, and programs aimed at the development of women and children.
Seventh Five Year Plan: Women and Development
The primary goal of the Seventh Five Year Plan (1985-1990) was to improve the economic and social standing of women, aiming to integrate them into the broader progress of the nation.
- The Seventh Five Year Plan focused on creating job opportunities for women, including both skilled and unskilled employment, through education and vocational training. Additionally, it introduced two new schemes: Support to Training and Employment (STEP) and Awareness Generation Programme for Rural and Poor Women (AGP).
- The plan emphasized “Beneficiary Oriented Schemes” (BOS) in various development sectors, which aimed to provide direct benefits to women.
- The plan also acknowledged the need for organizing women workers and forming unions.
Eighth Five Year Plan: Shift from ‘Development’ to ‘Empowerment’ of Women
- During the Eighth Plan period, a significant change was made to the Indian Constitution. It introduced a rule that one-third of the seats in local self-governing bodies, like Panchayati Raj Institutions, municipalities, and corporations, must be reserved for women.
- This change, brought about by the 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments in 1992, is considered a major step in women’s empowerment in India.
- Today, there are over 40,000 women serving in local governing bodies throughout the country, and this wouldn’t have been possible without the provision for reserving one-third of the seats for women.
Ninth Five Year Plan: Women Empowerment
- During the Ninth Five-Year Plan (1997-2002), two important changes occurred in the way women’s development programs were structured. Up to that point, women were considered either recipients or participants in development programs, with little focus on creating an environment that would enable women to exercise their rights and enjoy their freedom.
- The Ninth Five-Year Plan introduced the concept of empowerment, aiming to create an environment where women can genuinely experience freedom, not just in theory but in practice.
- To achieve this objective, the Government of India accepted a National Policy for the Empowerment of Women in 2001.
- Another significant development during the Ninth Plan was the adoption of a Women’s Component Plan. This plan required both the Central and State governments to allocate a minimum of 30% of funds or benefits in all sectors specifically for women’s development.
Tenth and Eleventh Five Year Plan: Human Development and Inclusive Growth
A Working Group on the Empowerment of Women was formed to create a foundational document and offer directions for future initiatives related to women’s empowerment. This paper presented several recommendations, including:
- Women should receive support to prepare themselves for the challenges posed by globalization.
- Despite the existence of various development policies and programs aimed at empowering women, not all women have been able to benefit from these programs due to the existing social discrimination against them. Therefore, it is crucial to increase investments in health, education, and capacity building for women in the future.
- Over the past decade, there has been a decrease in spending on health, education, and welfare. This decline has a significant impact on women’s development. Therefore, there is a need to make efforts to increase investments in these sectors, which play a vital role in promoting women’s development.
The concept of ‘Inclusive Growth’ includes the inclusion of various marginalized groups, with a specific focus on women. During this period, the idea of Gender Budgeting was introduced, and programs like MGNREGA were launched with a special emphasis on women. Various measures were taken to address violence and atrocities against women and girls, including the establishment of women’s police stations, family courts, Mahila courts, legal aid centers, and awareness programs on women’s rights and legal literacy.
FAQs
1. What is the Welfare Approach to Women’s Development post-independence?
Answer: The Welfare Approach primarily focuses on providing social welfare programs and support systems for women. It emphasizes initiatives such as healthcare, education, and social security aimed at improving the well-being of women in society. Post-independence, various governments have launched schemes like maternal health programs, education scholarships, and women’s shelters to uplift women’s welfare.
2. How does the Developmental Approach differ from the Welfare Approach in Women’s Development post-independence?
Answer: Unlike the Welfare Approach, the Developmental Approach aims at fostering economic and social progress among women. It emphasizes initiatives such as skill development, entrepreneurship opportunities, and access to resources like land and credit. Post-independence, governments have introduced policies promoting women’s participation in economic activities, such as microfinance schemes and training programs to enhance their livelihoods.
3. What characterizes the Empowerment Approach to Women’s Development post-independence?
Answer: The Empowerment Approach seeks to enable women to assert control over their lives and make informed choices. It emphasizes enhancing women’s agency, voice, and decision-making power in various spheres of life. Post-independence, initiatives like legal reforms ensuring gender equality, political reservation for women, and awareness campaigns challenging social norms have been key components of the empowerment approach.
4. How have these approaches evolved over the years since independence in fostering women’s development?
Answer: Over the years, there has been a shift from a predominantly welfare-oriented approach towards a more holistic developmental and empowerment-focused strategy. While welfare measures remain essential, there’s a greater recognition of the need for addressing structural inequalities and empowering women economically, socially, and politically. This evolution reflects a deeper understanding of the multifaceted nature of women’s development post-independence.
5. What are some challenges in implementing these approaches effectively post-independence?
Answer: Challenges include patriarchal attitudes, inadequate resources, lack of implementation mechanisms, and cultural barriers. Despite progress, gender disparities persist in various domains, hindering the effective implementation of women development approaches. Additionally, intersectional factors like caste, class, and geographic location intersect with gender, necessitating nuanced approaches to address diverse needs. Continuous evaluation, policy refinement, and community engagement are crucial to overcoming these challenges and fostering sustainable women’s development post-independence.
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