| | DECEMBER 202119lying in front of them. For instance, their participation rate in both rural and urban areas has declined in the near past, and there is no official data that could reflect women's par-ticipation helping their families to survive, by collecting fuel, fodder or water, keeping poultry, working as unpaid labour on family farms, etc.Educate to EnlightenThe modern society is recognising the importance of education for all; particularly women perceive educa-tion as a token to economic security and opportunity. In fact, schooling is a crucial aspect of development, as the right education can make a big difference. Women should not only be encouraged in reading and writing but should be taught about their rights, making them believe that they are equally capable of working and earning.With the aim to generate aware-ness and improve the magnitude of welfare services intended for girls, in 2015, Prime Minister Modi launched the `Beti Bachao, Beti Pad-hao Yojana' to address the declining sex ratio in schools and enhancing girl child literacy. Notwithstanding the challenges towards its imple-mentation and delivery, the pro-gram has helped increase access to education as a means to empower the girl child.Know Your RightsIndeed, there are many times in our lives, the rights we have are not exercised by us due to little or no awareness of the systems and sur-roundings. However, knowing what is rightfully ours and implementing it where it needs, gives the real sense of equality. Hence, the question aris-es, why women should struggle for things which men enjoy evidently. Nonetheless, it is for the women to ensure that the rights conferred on them, in a way to utilise effectively. Whether it is right to equal pay, dignity and decency, against work-place harassment, against domestic violence, not to be arrested at night, register virtual complaints, against indecent representation, against be-ing stalked, and to Zero FIR (An FIR that can be filed at any police station irrespective of the location where the incident occurred or a specific jurisdiction it comes under).Gaining Financial StabilityFinancial independence is the right of every free citizen. Although one's success cannot be measured by his/her earning potential or wealth, money is the key to unlock many hidden opportunities. Women should follow proper financial plans considering their every present and future need. Furthermore, financial stability allows them to live a quali-ty life with family and friends. As in some point of life, women do need to become solely responsible for their finances. In fact, financial in-dependence is not about how much money someone has, rather about making the right decisions with the money they do have.On the other hand, late mar-riage, rising rates of divorce, the responsibility of children, are those prevailing issues of the society that emphasise that financial independ-ence among women is as important as it is among men. However, with more women in the workforce, soar-ing careers and inheritance, women are in control of a growing amount of wealth globally. Moreover, finan-cial independence is proportional to the ability to get a job with fair and equal pay. And, it is also affecting many of their important decisions regarding education, housing, preg-nancy, and childcare. Indeed, con-temporary women are taking the matter of collective urgency them-selves, and they understand this.The Work Culture ScenarioAlmost in every era, women have soared with great leaps and bounds. And therefore, the discourse on women empowerment and gender equality has gone beyond living room discussions. Today, women are breaking their silence against the crimes, violence and abuses that they encounter in the workplace. In fact, the realisation that women should be treated equally in society has made great progress in light of the social and political challenges. And, the present time is witnessing a sense of movement that is driving the social progress and further rec-ognising the role of women in poli-tics, education, sports et al.Moreover, if women want equal-ity and career growth, then one needs to shift the empowerment battles from workplaces to homes. Indeed, more men should come for-ward to help out and share the real-life load. Women deserve equality in all walks of life to empower so-ciety with happier mothers, sisters, daughters, and partners. Arushi Nishank
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