57-674: The Nari Shakti Puraskar ( lit. ' Woman Power Award ' ) is an annual award given by the Ministry of Women and Child Development of the Government of India to individual women or to institutions that work towards the cause of women empowerment. It is the highest civilian honour for women in India, and is presented by the president of India on International Women's Day (8 March) at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi . The award
114-529: A sari (a long piece of fabric draped around the body) and salwar kameez are worn by women all over India. A bindi is part of a woman's make-up. Despite common belief, the bindi on the forehead does not signify marital status; however, the Sindoor does. Rangoli (or Kolam) is a traditional art very popular among Indian women. In 1991, the Kerala High Court restricted entry of women above
171-443: A 1998 report by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the chief barriers to female education in India are inadequate school facilities (such as sanitary facilities), shortage of female teachers and gender bias in the curriculum (female characters being depicted as weak and helpless). The literacy rate is lower for women compared to men: the literacy rate is 60.6% for women, while for men it is 81.3%. The 2011 census, however, indicated
228-507: A 2001–2011 decadal literacy growth of 9.2%, which is slower than the growth seen during the previous decade. There is a wide gender disparity in the literacy rate in India: effective literacy rates (age 7 and above) in 2011 were 82.14% for men and 65.46% for women. (population aged 15 or older, data from 2015). Contrary to common perception, a large percentage of women in India are actively engaged in traditional and non-traditional work. Despite
285-470: A package of services comprising supplementary nutrition, immunization, health check-up and referral services, pre-school non-formal education. There is effective coordination and monitoring of various sectoral programmes. Most of the programmes of the Ministry are run through non-governmental organisations. Efforts are made to have more effective involvement of NGOs. The major policy initiatives undertaken by
342-491: A supplementary and complementary role to the other general developmental programmes in the sectors of health, education, rural development etc. All these efforts are directed to ensure that women are empowered both economically and socially and thus become equal partners in national development along with men. For holistic into development of the child, the Ministry has been implementing the world's largest outreach programme of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) providing
399-420: A vision of gender equality. Historically, women in India have faced legal restrictions that limited their participation in various activities, and these limitations have raised concerns about the cultural practices and values of the country. Previously, these women could not apply simple and natural makeup on film characters because the law did not allow them to do it although the status quo has changed. Along with
456-482: A woman without consent, stalking and sexual acts by person in authority an offense. It also made acid attacks a specific offence with a punishment of imprisonment not less than 10 years and which could extend to life imprisonment and with fine. In 2014, an Indian family court in Mumbai ruled that a husband objecting to his wife wearing a kurta and jeans and forcing her to wear a sari amounts to cruelty inflicted by
513-876: A young girl Mathura in a police station led to country-wide protests in 1979–1980. The protest, widely covered by the national media, forced the Government to amend the Evidence Act, the Criminal Procedure Code, and the Indian Penal Code; and created a new offence, custodial rape. Since alcoholism is often associated with violence against women in India, many women groups launched anti-liquor campaigns in Andhra Pradesh , Himachal Pradesh , Haryana , Odisha , Madhya Pradesh and other states. Many Indian Muslim women have questioned
570-521: Is a 1995 Bollywood film whose main female character, Simran, represented the ideal Indian woman. The film depicts her as a modest, reserved, and respectful female who remains dutiful to her family and never compromises her "purity". Yet, at the same time Simran was discouraged by her father from having a relationship with a man before marriage, especially one he did not know and of whom he did not approve. This film illustrates how women who seek romance for themselves are villainized. In contrast, films such as
627-445: Is a legislative act in India that seeks to protect women from sexual harassment at their place of work. The Act came into force from 9 December 2013. The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013 introduced changes to the Indian Penal Code, making sexual harassment an expressed offence under Section 354 A, which is punishable up to three years of imprisonment and or with fine. The Amendment also introduced new sections making acts like disrobing
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#1732772084070684-600: Is headed by Smt. Savitri Thakur, Minister; Mr. Indevar Pandey is the Secretary of the Ministry of Women and Child Development. The activities of the Ministry are undertaken through seven bureaux. The Ministry has 6 autonomous organizations working under its aegis. Women in India The status of women in India has been subject to many changes over the time of recorded India's history. Their position in society deteriorated early in India's ancient period, especially in
741-560: Is sharply increasing, the female literacy rate in India is less than the male literacy rate. Far fewer girls than boys are enrolled in school, and many girls drop out. In urban India, girls are nearly on a par with boys in terms of education. However, in rural India, girls continue to be less educated than boys. According to the National Sample Survey Data of 1997, only the states of Kerala and Mizoram have approached universal female literacy. According to scholars,
798-485: Is the world's longest serving female prime minister. The Constitution of India guarantees to all Indian women equality (Article 14), no discrimination by the State (Article 15(1)), equality of opportunity (Article 16), equal pay for equal work (Article 39(d)) and Article 42. In addition, it allows special provisions to be made by the State in favour of women and children (Article 15(3)), renounces practices derogatory to
855-625: Is to have holistic development of Women and Children. As a nodal Ministry for the advancement of women and children, the Ministry formulates plans, policies and programmes; enacts/ amends legislation, guides and coordinates the efforts of both governmental and non-governmental organisations working in the field of Women and Child Development. Besides, playing its nodal role, the Ministry implements certain innovative programmes for women and children. These programmes cover welfare and support services, training for employment and income generation, awareness generation and gender sensitization. These programmes play
912-586: The Centre for the Study of Developing Societies rejected the survey for its methodology and lack of transparency. Also in 2018, the Supreme Court of India struck down a law making it a crime for a man to have sex with a married woman without the permission of her husband. Prior to November 2018, women were forbidden to climb Agasthyarkoodam . A court ruling removed the prohibition. The steady change in
969-703: The Indo-Aryan speaking regions, and their subordination continued to be reified well into India's early modern period. During the British East India Company rule (1757–1857), and the British Raj (1858–1947), measures aiming at amelioration were enacted, including Bengal Sati Regulation, 1829 , Hindu Widows' Remarriage Act, 1856 , Female Infanticide Prevention Act, 1870 , and Age of Consent Act, 1891 . The Indian constitution prohibits discrimination based on sex and empowers
1026-578: The Narmada Bachao Andolan . In 1991, the Kerala High Court restricted the entry of women above the age of 10 and below the age of 50 from Sabarimala Shrine, as they were of the menstruating age. However, on 28 September 2018, the Supreme Court of India lifted the ban on the entry of women. It said that discrimination against women on any grounds, even religious, is unconstitutional. The Government of India declared 2001 as
1083-760: The Rani Lakshmi Bai Award was posthumously dedicated to the "Spirit of Nirbhaya ". The 2013 Stree Shakti Puraskar was awarded to six recipients: For the year 2014, the Stree Shakti Puraskar was awarded to four individuals and two organizations: 8 women received the Nari Shakti Puraskar , which was conferred for the first time: The award was given to 22 recipients: 7 institutions and 15 individuals. The individual recipients are listed below: The institutional awards for 2015 were divided into categories: The award
1140-591: The Speaker of the Lok Sabha . However, many women in India continue to face significant difficulties. The rates of malnutrition are exceptionally high among adolescent girls and pregnant and lactating women in India, with repercussions for children 's health. Violence against women , especially sexual violence, is a serious concern in India. During the British Raj , many reformers such as Ram Mohan Roy , Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar and Jyotirao Phule fought for
1197-604: The Supreme Court of India said that women officers in the Indian Army can get command positions at par with male officers. The court said that the government's arguments against it were discriminatory, disturbing and based on stereotype. The court also said that permanent commission to all women officers should be made available regardless of their years of service. The government had earlier said that women commanders would not be acceptable to some troops. Though it
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#17327720840701254-536: The Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi on 4 January 2001: Five women were awarded the 2001 Stree Shakti Puraskar on 26 March 2003: The recipients of the 2002 Stree Shakti Puraskar were announced on 19 November 2006 together with the 2003 recipients. The recipients of the 2003 Stree Shakti Puraskar were announced on 19 November 2006 together with the 2002 recipients. The recipients of the 2004 Stree Shakti Puraskar were announced on 8 March 2008 together with
1311-499: The 1973 Batch became the first Lady Director General of Police of a State in India when she was appointed DGP of Uttarakhand Police . In 2018 an IPS Officer Archana Ramasundram of 1980 Batch became the first Woman to become the Director General of Police of a Paramilitary Force as DG, Sashastra Seema Bal . In March 2018, Delhi Police announced that it would begin to induct women into its SWAT team. On February 17, 2020,
1368-531: The 2006 Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna and 2022 Gehraiyaan explore more nonconforming female characters. In Gehraiyaan, the main characters struggle with mental illnesses, partake in infidelity, and come from broken families. The overall presence of such characters highlight how the modern Indian woman is less bound to traditional expectations and overall have been entering the workforce, been financially independent, and even sexually freed from earlier standards. Other films with nonconforming female characters include:
1425-416: The 2008 Stree Shakti Puraskar were announced on 8 March 2010 together with the 2009 recipients. The recipients of the 2009 Stree Shakti Puraskar were announced on 8 March 2010 together with the 2008 recipients. The 2010 Stree Shakti Puraskar was awarded to four women: The 2011 Stree Shakti Puraskar was awarded to six women: The 2012 Stree Shakti Puraskar was awarded to five women. In addition,
1482-473: The 2016 film Dangal , the 2022 film Mili , the 2018 film Raazi , and more. The Indian Armed Forces began recruiting women to non-medical positions in 1992. The Indian Army began inducting women officers in 1992. The Border Security Force (BSF) began recruiting female officers in 2013. On 25 March 2017, Tanushree Pareek became the first female combat officer commissioned by the BSF. On 24 October 2015,
1539-460: The British and later retreated to Nepal. The Begums of Bhopal were also considered notable female rulers during this period. They were trained in martial arts . Chandramukhi Basu , Kadambini Ganguly and Anandi Gopal Joshi were some of the earliest Indian women to obtain a degree. In 1917, the first women's delegation met the Secretary of State to demand women's political rights, supported by
1596-822: The First Lady Indian Police Service Officer and was the only woman in a batch of 80 IPS Officers, she joined the AGMUT Cadre. In 1992 Asha Sinha a 1982 Batch IPS Officer became the First Woman Commandant in the Paramilitary forces of India when she was posted as Commandant, Central Industrial Security Force in Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited . Kanchan Chaudhary Bhattacharya the second Lady IPS Officer of India belonging to
1653-927: The Indian National Congress. The All India Women's Education Conference was held in Pune in 1927, it became a major organisation in the movement for social change. In 1929, the Child Marriage Restraint Act was passed, stipulating fourteen as the minimum age of marriage for a girl. Mahatma Gandhi , himself a victim of child marriage at the age of thirteen, later urged people to boycott child marriages and called upon young men to marry child widows. Women in India now participate fully in areas such as education, sports, politics, media, art and culture, service sectors, science and technology, etc. Indira Gandhi , who served as Prime Minister of India for an aggregate period of fifteen years,
1710-792: The Indian government announced that women could serve as fighter pilots in the Indian Air Force (IAF), having previously only been permitted to fly transport aircraft and helicopters. The decision means that women are now eligible for induction in any role in the IAF. In 2016, India announced a decision to allow women to take up combat roles in all sections of its army and navy. As of 2014, women made up 3% of Indian Army personnel, 2.8% of Navy personnel, and 8.5% of Air Force personnel. As of 2016, women accounted for 5% of all active and reserve Indian Armed forces personnel. In 1972 Kiran Bedi became
1767-635: The Ministry in into the recent past include universalisation of ICDS and Kishori Shakti Yojana, launching a nutrition programme for adolescent girls, establishment of the Commission for protection of Child Rights and enactment of Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act. The ministry also gives the annual Stree Shakti Puraskar in six categories, namely Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar, Kannagi Award, Mata Jijabai Award, Rani Gaidinliu Zeliang Award, Rani Lakshmi Bai Award and Rani Rudramma Devi (for both men & women). The Ministry of Women and Child Development
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1824-490: The Ministry of Women and Child Development is Annpurna Devi having held the portfolio since 2024. The Department of Women and Child Development was set up in the year 1985 as a part of the Ministry of Human Resource Development to give the much needed impetus to the holistic development of women and children. With effect from 30 January 2006, the Department has been upgraded to a Ministry. The broad mandate of Ministry
1881-563: The Women's Reservation Bill requiring that 33% of seats in India's Parliament and state legislative bodies be reserved for women. In October 2017 another poll published by Thomson Reuters Foundation found that Delhi was the fourth most dangerous megacity (total 40 in the world) for women and it was also the worst megacity in the world for women when it came to sexual violence, risk of rape and harassment. The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013
1938-495: The Year of Women's Empowerment ( Swashakti ). The National Policy For The Empowerment Of Women was passed that same year. In 2006, the case of Imrana , a Muslim rape victim, was highlighted by the media. Imrana was raped by her father-in-law. The pronouncement of some Muslim clerics that Imrana should marry her father-in-law led to widespread protests, and finally Imrana's father-in-law was sentenced to 10 years in prison. The verdict
1995-504: The age of 10 and below the age of 50 from Sabarimala Shrine as they were of the menstruating age. On 28 September 2018, the Supreme Court of India lifted the ban on the entry of women. It said that discrimination against women on any grounds, even religious, is unconstitutional. The Hindi film industry has had a significant impact on the portrayal of women in Indian society. The films often depict women as strong, independent, and capable of making their own choices, thus offering audiences
2052-416: The agriculture and allied industrial sectors, women account for as much as 89.5% of the labour force. In overall farm production, women's average contribution is estimated at 55% to 66% of the total labour. According to a 1991 World Bank report, women accounted for 94% of total employment in dairy production in India. Women constitute 51% of the total employed in forest-based small-scale enterprises. India
2109-631: The betterment of women. Peary Charan Sarkar , a former student of Hindu College, Calcutta and a member of "Young Bengal", set up the first free school for girls in India in 1847 in Barasat, a suburb of Calcutta (later the school was named Kalikrishna Girls' High School). While this might suggest that there was no positive British contribution during the Raj era, that is not entirely the case. Missionaries' wives such as Martha Mault née Mead and her daughter Eliza Caldwell née Mault are rightly remembered for pioneering
2166-440: The bride moving to live with the in-laws. Families are usually hierarchical, with the elders having authority over the younger generations and men over women. The vast majority of marriages are monogamous (one husband and one wife), but both polygyny and polyandry in India have a tradition among some populations in India. Weddings in India can be quite expensive. Most marriages in India are arranged . With regard to dress,
2223-668: The cause of women. Kittur Chennamma , queen of the princely state Kittur in Karnataka, led an armed rebellion against the British in response to the Doctrine of lapse . Rani Lakshmi Bai , the Queen of Jhansi , led the Indian Rebellion of 1857 against the British. She is now widely considered as a national hero. Begum Hazrat Mahal , the co-ruler of Awadh , was another ruler who led the revolt of 1857. She refused deals with
2280-455: The dignity of women (Article 51(A) (e)), and also allows for provisions to be made by the State for securing just and humane conditions of work and for maternity relief. (Article 42). Feminist activism in India gained momentum in the late 1970s. One of the first national-level issues that brought women's groups together was the Mathura rape case . The acquittal of policemen accused of raping
2337-515: The education and training of girls in south India. This practice was initially met with local resistance, as it flew in the face of tradition. Raja Rammohan Roy's efforts led to the abolition of Sati under Governor-General William Cavendish-Bentinck in 1829. Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar's crusade for improvement in the situation of widows led to the Widow Remarriage Act of 1856. Many women reformers such as Pandita Ramabai also helped
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2394-528: The fundamental leaders' interpretation of women's rights under the Shariat law and have criticised the triple talaq system (see below about 2017). Mary Roy won a lawsuit in 1986, against the inheritance legislation of her Keralite Syrian Christian community in the Supreme Court . The judgement ensured equal rights for Syrian Christian women with their male siblings in regard to their ancestral property. Until then, her Syrian Christian community followed
2451-590: The government to undertake special measures for them. Women's rights under the Constitution of India mainly include equality, dignity, and freedom from discrimination; additionally, India has various statutes governing the rights of women. Several women have served in various senior official positions in the Indian government, including that of the President of India , the Prime Minister of India ,
2508-513: The husband and can be a ground to seek divorce. The wife was thus granted a divorce on the ground of cruelty as defined under section 27(1)(d) of Special Marriage Act, 1954. On 22 August 2017, the Indian Supreme Court deemed instant triple talaq ( talaq-e-biddat ) unconstitutional. A 2018 poll by Thomson Reuters Foundation termed India as the world's most dangerous country for women. The National Commission for Women and
2565-502: The informal economy than their male counterparts. However, there are far fewer women than men in the paid workforce. In urban India, women participate in the workforce in impressive numbers. For example, in the software industry 30% of the workforce is female. These high numbers are also due to the fact that 81% of the urban female workforce is employed in the informal sector. Studies have shown that higher education levels lead to higher income for urban-dwelling women. In rural India in
2622-412: The large number of women involved in the workforce, the country has a female labor force participation rate of just 23%. National data collection agencies accept that statistics seriously understate women's contribution as workers. Reasons for these misleading statistics can be attributed to cultural biases and expectations about women's roles in society. Additionally, more Indian women are employed in
2679-638: The major factor behind improvements in the social and economic status of women in Kerala is literacy. Under the Non-Formal Education programme (NFE), about 40% of the NFE centres in states and 10% of the centres in UTs are exclusively reserved for women. As of 2000, about 300,000 NFE centres were catering to about 7.42 million children. About 120,000 NFE centres were exclusively for girls. According to
2736-601: The media, the Indian film industry has played an important role in driving changes in the law and improving the lives of women in India; it has sent messages to its audiences that challenge the restrictive nature of society, promoting the idea that women should have the freedom to make their own choices and live their lives on their own terms. The portrayal of women in Hindi cinema (Bollywood) has shifted over time as social norms have changed, and to include diverse representations. Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge , or DDLJ for short,
2793-1057: The position of women can be highlighted by looking at what has been achieved by women in the country: India has one of the highest number of female politicians in the world. Women have held high offices in India including that of the President , Prime Minister , Speaker of the Lok Sabha and Leader of the Opposition . The Indian states Madhya Pradesh , Bihar , Uttarakhand , Himachal Pradesh , Andhra Pradesh , Chhattisgarh , Jharkhand , Kerala , Karnataka , Maharashtra , Orissa , Rajasthan and Tripura have implemented 50% reservation for women in PRIs. Majority of candidates in these Panchayats are women. In 2015, 100% of elected members in Kodassery Panchayat in Kerala are women. There are currently 16 female chief ministers in India as of 2020. As of 2018, 12 out of 29 states and
2850-742: The provisions of the Travancore Succession Act of 1916 and the Cochin Succession Act, 1921, while elsewhere in India the same community followed the Indian Succession Act of 1925. In the 1990s, grants from foreign donor agencies enabled the formation of new women-oriented NGOs. Self-help groups and NGOs such as Self Employed Women's Association (SEWA) have played a major role in the advancement of women's rights in India. Many women have emerged as leaders of local movements; for example, Medha Patkar of
2907-406: The recipients for 2005 and 2006. The recipients of the 2005 Stree Shakti Puraskar were announced on 8 March 2008 together with the recipients for 2004 and 2006. The recipients of the 2006 Stree Shakti Puraskar were announced on 8 March 2008 together with the recipients for 2004 and 2005. The recipients of the 2007 Stree Shakti Puraskar were announced on 28 February 2009: The recipients of
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#17327720840702964-643: The six institutional categories is named after an eminent woman in Indian history . Stree Shakti Puraskar , the predecessor of the Nari Shakti Puraskar, was instituted in the year 1999. It carried a cash prize of ₹ 100,000 and a citation. The Stree Shakti Puraskar was given in the same six categories as the Nari Shakti Award. The first Stree Shakti Puraskar awards were conferred on five women by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at
3021-506: The union territory of Delhi have had at least one female Chief Minister. Currently there are 81 women members and 458 male members in the Indian Parliament which equals 15.3% and 84.97% respectively. The status of women in India is strongly connected to family relations. In India, the family is seen as crucially important, and in most of the country, the family unit is patrilineal . Families are usually multi-generational, with
3078-457: Was given to 33 recipients: 6 institutions and 27 individuals. 39 individuals and institutions received the award. The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind gave away the Nari Shakti Puraskar to 44 recipients, which includes 3 institutions. The award function was held on 8 March 2019. The awardees (in alphabetical order) are: The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind gave away the Nari Shakti Puraskar to fifteen women achievers. The award function
3135-469: Was held on 9 March 2020. List of the awardees: Awards given 8 March 2022. Awards given 8 March 2022. Ministry of Women and Child Development The Ministry of Women and Child Development , a branch of the Government of India , is an apex body for formulation and administration of the rules and regulations and laws relating to women and child development in India . The current minister for
3192-401: Was instituted in 1999 under the title of Stree Shakti Puraskar ( lit. ' Woman Power Award ' ), renamed and reorganised in 2015. It is awarded in six institutional and two individual categories, which carry a cash prize of 200,000 and 100,000 rupees , respectively. The Nari Shakti Puraskar is given in six institutional categories and two categories for individual women. Each of
3249-683: Was welcomed by many women's groups and the All India Muslim Personal Law Board. According to a 2011 poll conducted by the Thomson Reuters Foundation , India was the "fourth most dangerous country" in the world for women, India was also noted as the worst country for women among the G20 countries, however, this report has faced criticism for promoting inaccurate perceptions. On 9 March 2010, one day after International Women's day, Rajya Sabha passed
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