Lok Sabha Question No. 870 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-24
Subject: Women Empowerment
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: SHER SINGH GHUBAYA, AJAY (TENI) MISRA

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 870**

TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.07.2015

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

870.  	SHRI SHER SINGH GHUBAYA:

SHRI AJAY MISRA TENI:

Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

(a) 	whether the Government has achieved the objectives of empowerment of women at all levels of the society including representation of women in Panchayats, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor along with the reaction of the Government thereto;

(b) 	whether the Government has conducted/made any assessment of the efforts made/steps taken by them towards economic empowerment of women in the country and if so, the details and outcome thereof; and

(c) 	the steps taken/being taken by the Government for holistic empowerment of women in the country and to ensure better and proper representation of women at all levels of the society?

**ANSWER**

MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

(SHRIMATI MANEKA SANJAY GANDHI)

1. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has informed that as per the Provisions of Article 243 D of the Constitution, one-third of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in Panchayats at all levels and also those of the Chairpersons are reserved for women. As per the information available. 16 states/UTs have already made 50% reservation for women in Panchayats and there are 12.70 lakh elected women representatives which constitute 43.56% of total elected representatives. The increasing women representative at grass root level has helped in increasing political leadership of women in local self-government. Subsequent to the constitutional 73rd Amendment Act, which has provided the Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) system in the country the constitutional Status has enabled women to strengthen their political participation.

1. A nationwide study on Elected women representatives commissioned by Ministry of Panchayati Raj and published in April,2008, indicated empowerment of EWRs including inter-alia, enhancement in their self-esteem, confidence and decision-marking abilities. The study also indicated that the participation of women in Gram Sabhas had increased, as has attention to women related issues such as drinking water and sanitation. The study reported that EWRs had made efforts to encourage girls’ enrolment and mitigate domestic violence.

1. Funds have been provided by Ministry of Panchayati Raj Under Its different schemes for Capacity Building and Training of Elected representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions including Elected women representatives.

For empowerment of women, the Ministry of Women and Child Development have enacted various special laws relating to women such as the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005; Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961; Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986; and the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.

Apart from the above, the Ministry of Women and Child Development is administering various schemes such as Swadhar and Short Stay Homes, Working Women Hostels, Support to Training and Employment Programme for Women (STEP), Rashtriya Mahila Kosh (RMK), National Mission for Empowerment of Women (NMEW), Rajiv Gandhi National Creche for Children of Working Mothers, One Stop Centre and Scheme for Universalisation of Women Helpline for empowerment of women,

********