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What is Social Security & Its Role In Supporting Women Empowerment
-Jiya
What is Social Security?
“The protection which society provides for its members, through a series of public measures, against the economic and social distress that otherwise would be caused by the stoppage or substantial reduction in earnings resulting from sickness, maternity, employment injury, unemployment, invalidity, old age and death, the provision of medical care and provision of subsidies for families with children.” ILO, 1989.
The nation-states are supposed to make policy choices and prescriptions on the basis of this definition. However, this definition is found inadequate for a developing country as it assumes that most persons are generally in as state of employment from which they can earn enough to meet their basic needs.
Women conditions in present era
Women and girls represent half of the world’s population and therefore also half of its potential. But gender inequality persists everywhere and stagnates social progress.
On average, women in the labour market still earn 23 percent less than men globally. Worldwide, nearly half of married women lack decision-making power over their sexual and reproductive health and rights. 35 per cent of women between 15-49 years of age have experienced physical or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence. Sexual violence and exploitation, the unequal division of unpaid care and domestic work, and discrimination in public office, all remain huge barriers. At the current rate, it will take an estimated 300 years to end child marriage, 286 years to close gaps in legal protection and remove discriminatory laws, 140 years for women to be represented equally in positions of power and leadership in the workplace, and 47 years to achieve equal representation in national parliaments.
How much progress have we made?
International commitments to advance gender equality have brought about improvements in some areas: child marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM) have declined in recent years, and women’s representation in the political arena is higher than ever before. But the promise of a world in which every woman and girl enjoys full gender equality, and where all legal, social and economic barriers to their empowerment have been removed, remains unfulfilled.
Conditions in Punjab
Employment: The female workforce participation rate in Punjab has seen a gradual increase over recent years. In the fiscal year 2020-21, it was 21.1%, rising to 25.2% in 2022-23. Despite this upward trend, the rate remains below the national average of 36%, indicating a significant gender gap in employment opportunities.
Education: In the academic year 2021-22, the gross enrolment ratio for female students had a slightly higher enrolment ratio (109.8%) compared to male students (109.4%), reflecting positive trends in girls' education.
Health: Maternal health in Punjab shows mixed outcomes. The maternal mortality ratio is estimated at 300 per 100,000 live births, which is lower than the national figure of 350. However, about one-third of all pregnant women in the state are estimated to suffer from iron deficiency anaemia, contributing to maternal health challenges.
Demographics: The sex ratio in Punjab remains a concern. As of 2024, there are approximately 110 males for every 100 females, with 16.26 million males and 14.73 million females, resulting in a disparity of about 1.53 million more males than females.
Why should gender equality matter to me?
Regardless of where you live in, gender equality is a fundamental human right. Advancing gender equality is critical to all areas of a healthy society, from reducing poverty to promoting the health, education, protection and the well-being of girls and boys.
Role of Social Security in supporting Women Empowerment
Social security plays a significant role in supporting women's empowerment in India by addressing various challenges. An examination of how social security initiatives contribute to women's empowerment goes like this :-
• Economic Empowerment
Social security schemes such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) provide women with guaranteed employment, ensuring stable income and financial independence. Programs like the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) promote financial inclusion by opening bank accounts for women, fostering savings habits and financial literacy. Initiatives such as the Mudra Yojana provide women entrepreneurs access to collateral-free loans, empowering them to start businesses and contribute to economic growth.
• Social Protection
Schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) offer financial assistance during pregnancy and after childbirth to promote maternal and child health. Pension schemes like the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme provide financial support to widows and elderly women, reducing economic vulnerability in old age.
• Health and Safety
Improvements in maternal health outcomes are driven by programs such as the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), which offers cash incentives for institutional deliveries.
Measures under the One-Stop Centre Scheme offer immediate support and legal assistance to women facing violence and abuse.
• Education and Skill Development
The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme focuses on improving education for girls and addressing gender discrimination, paving the way for future economic empowerment. Programs like the Skill India initiative train women in various trades and industries, equipping them with skills for better employment opportunities.
• Political Participation and Leadership
The reservation of seats in local self-governments (Panchayati Raj Institutions) has significantly increased women's participation in decision-making processes and leadership roles.
Conclusion
Social security initiatives play a foundational role in advancing women's empowerment by ensuring economic security, enhancing healthcare, promoting education, and protecting women’s rights. However, continued efforts are necessary to bridge gaps and achieve gender equality in all spheres of life.
References and Citations
• https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/gender-equality/
• https://www.ilo.org/media/72536/download
•https://labour.gov.in/sites/default/files/012524_booklet_ministry_of_labour_employement_revised2.pdf
•https://pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.asp
•https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/punjab-grapples-with-low-women-employment-rate
•https://health.punjab.gov.pk/PunjabHealthProfile.aspx?utm
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