Question

Read the National Policy for Women (2016) and discuss its salient features in the classroom.

Answer 1

The Draft National Policy for Women, 2016 was prepared by the Ministry of Women and Child Development to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment. It aimed to create conditions in which women could participate as equal partners in all spheres of life and enjoy equal rights and opportunities.

Its salient features are:

1. Health, food security and nutrition: Improve women’s reproductive, physical and mental health and provide proper nutrition at all stages of life.
2. Education: Improve access to education, reduce the dropout rate of girls and encourage their participation in higher education and technology.
3. Economic empowerment: Provide skill development, equal employment opportunities, entrepreneurship opportunities and suitable maternity and childcare benefits.
4. Governance and decision-making: Increase women’s participation in politics, administration, civil services and corporate organisations.
5. Protection from violence: Prevent different forms of violence against women, trafficking and discrimination and strengthen the implementation of relevant laws.
6. Enabling environment: Improve access to housing, sanitation, drinking water, social security and support services, particularly for vulnerable and marginalised women.
7. Environment and climate change: Consider the special problems faced by women during natural disasters, displacement and environmental degradation and promote clean energy.
8. Emerging issues: The policy also addressed cyber safety, unpaid care work, the needs of single women and other new challenges affecting women.