What do quotations convey to you in the present context ? “To awaken the people, it is the women who must be awakened. Once she is on the move, the family moves, the village moves, the nation moves.” – Jawaharlal Nehru

by Edukemy Team February 24, 2024

In the present context, Jawaharlal Nehru – poignant statement, “To awaken the people, it is the women who must be awakened. Once she is on the move, the family moves, the village moves, the nation moves,” encapsulates the enduring significance of gender equality and the pivotal role of women in societal progress. This quotation underscores the transformative power inherent within women, emphasizing their capacity to ignite change that reverberates across all levels of society. Nehru’s words resonate with the ongoing global discourse on women’s empowerment and serve as a compelling call to action for recognizing and harnessing the untapped potential of women as agents of positive change.

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Answer

In the above quote Pandit Nehru has quite aptly remarked that when women are empowered and motivated, her actions can inspire the family to change and improve. This positive change can produce a ripple effect impacting the community and finally the nation as a whole.

At family level

Empowered women contribute to a family’s financial stability.
According to Amartya Sen, women as agency of change leads to reduction in IMR, MMR etc.
Women led households put greater emphasis on children’s education and healthcare, leading to better outcomes.
For e.g. operation flood + SEWA → 6000 women dairy cooperatives → this lead to reduction in child labour and increase in child nutrition.

At village level

Role of women is crucial for the economic development of rural areas of Kerala through Kudumbashree (SHG program) of Kerala.
Local governance – women’s participation in panchayats has an undeniable impact on developmental outcomes and social change.

e.g. -Chhavi Rajawat: an MBA sarpanch in Jaipur, hailed as the changing face of rural Rajasthan

Sustainable agriculture – ‘Baba Jaleswar’ a self-help group of village women in Odisha have successfully taken up pisciculture in the village pond.

Finally, the nation moves

Increased women’s participation in the workforce and entrepreneurship boost economic growth and innovation.

e.g. – According to a McKinsey institute report, India could add up to $ 770 billion to its GDP by bringing gender parity in the workforce.

Women leaders contribute effectively to equitable and sustainable society.

e.g. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (former president of Liberia and Nobel peace prize winner), her leadership impacted the nation, promoted gender equality and women rights.

Therefore, we need to invest in educational initiatives which focuses on education and skill development of women. For e.g. Beti Bachao and Beti Padhao, Sukanya Samriddhi. We need to give them training, opportunity and resources so as to empower them. Finally, advocate and facilitate their greater participation in public policy making as done by the recent women reservation in parliament.

Swami Vivekananda had said: “There is no chance for the welfare of the world unless the condition of women is improved. It is not possible for a bird to fly on only one wing.”

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