Syllabus: GS- III & V: Inclusive growth 

Why in the news?

Assam CM recently claimed that government initiatives for women’s welfare have reduced domestic discord and violence in Assam.

• This assertion has triggered debate on whether welfare schemes and financial incentives alone can deliver genuine women empowerment, or whether deeper structural reforms are required.

Understanding women empowerment in Assam

• Women empowerment is not limited to cash transfers or short-term welfare.
• It involves equal access to health, education, employment, safety, and decision-making power, along with dignity and autonomy.
• Assam’s experience shows that economic assistance without social and institutional reform has limited transformative impact.

Key gender development concerns in Assam

• Adverse sex ratio, indicating persistent gender bias.
• Lower female life expectancy compared to more developed states.
• High fertility rates, reflecting limited reproductive autonomy.
• Elevated maternal mortality rate and infant mortality rate, pointing to gaps in healthcare access.
• Female illiteracy and school dropouts, especially in rural and marginalised communities.
• Low workforce participation of women, particularly in formal employment.

These indicators suggest that women remain structurally disadvantaged, despite multiple welfare schemes.

Assessment of major government initiatives

• Mukhyamantrir Mahila Udyamita Abhijan
  • Provides financial assistance to women Self Help Group members to start micro-enterprises.
  • Potential strengths:
    • Encourages financial independence.
    • Supports local entrepreneurship among rural and urban women.
  • Key challenges:
    • Many Self Help Groups exist only on paper to access funds.
    • Weak monitoring and accountability in fund utilisation.
    • Lack of training, mentoring, and market linkages.
• Lesson: Without institutional support, credit alone cannot ensure sustainable empowerment.

Crimes against women: A serious structural challenge

• Data from the National Crime Records Bureau and findings of the National Commission for Women consistently show:
  • High incidence of crimes against women in Assam.
  • Under-reporting due to fear, stigma, and lack of trust in institutions.
• Core issues:
  • Weak law enforcement and low conviction rates.
  • Poor gender sensitisation among police and officials.
  • Delays in investigation and justice dilute the deterrent effect of law.

Why freebies are not enough

• Welfare transfers may:
  • Provide short-term relief.
  • Improve household consumption.
• But they do not address:
  • Patriarchal attitudes that normalise discrimination.
  • Structural barriers to education, health, and employment.
  • Women’s lack of voice in family and community decisions.

What Assam really needs

• A comprehensive gender policy that treats gender development as central to human development.
• Health sector reforms focused on maternal and reproductive health.
• Education reforms to retain girls in schools and colleges.
• Skill development and employment opportunities beyond informal work.
• Strong monitoring of Self Help Groups and women-centric schemes.
• Mandatory gender sensitisation training for police, judiciary, and public officials.
• Community-level attitudinal change, challenging deep-rooted notions of female inferiority.

Way forward

• Women must be viewed as active partners in development, not passive beneficiaries.
• Empowerment requires long-term institutional commitment, not just political announcements.
• Sustainable progress lies in combining economic support with education, safety, healthcare, and social reform.

One-line wrap

True women empowerment in Assam demands structural reforms, strong institutions, and social change—not just welfare schemes or financial incentives.

Exam Hook – Key Takeaways

• Women empowerment is a governance and social justice issue, not merely a welfare concern.
• Gender indices are crucial tools to assess real progress.
• Economic schemes must be backed by monitoring, skills, and market access.

 Mains Question

Critically examine the limitations of welfare-based approaches to women empowerment in Assam. Suggest measures for achieving sustainable gender equality.

Source