Honing skill prerequisite for women empowerment

Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey

(The writer is Union Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister)

March 8 is a special day every year as on this day we honour and celebrate women on the occasion of the International Women’s Day. Women in our country today are continuously making great accomplishments in social, financial and political frameworks. Hence, we can also consider this as a special occasion to celebrate the achievements of women. Women possess extraordinary courage, infinite power, unlimited patience and excessive ability. Women know how to convert all challenges into opportunities through their tireless hard work and perseverance. It gives me a huge personal joy to write a few words in commemoration of this day dedicated to and in honour of women.

Women have always participated in the uplift of the country and society. Be it the 1857 mutiny for India’s freedom or the 1947 struggle of Independence, our women have always made India proud. The women of India have achieved new heights of success and sky is the limit for them. Even today, women are performing their duties with full devotion for the development of the country and uplift of society.Women are today working efficiently in various fields, such as academics, literature, music and dance, sports, media, business, information technology, science and technology, politics and social development.

Not only this, Indian women from metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai are breaking barriers in fields ranging from politics to the corporate sector. They not only hold important positions across the country, but are also progressing in far off rural areas. Today, they are giving society a new direction through their leadership and critical participation in panchayat elections. Increasing awareness and clear intentions are the reason behind women strengthening economic, social and cultural establishments. This is very important for a democratic system.

There is a constant evolution of female participation in the corporate sector. From Board Directors to Chief Executive Officers, women are leading the way in every position in the corporate sector. Female participation is constantly increasing in the Information Technology sector. Along with the IT sector, the presence of women is also significantly increasing in the Banking and Finance sector. Last year, the Indian Space Research Organization decided to hand over the command of Chandrayaan-2 to two women, and these women also did their best to successfully launch the satellite. This shows that Indian women’s ability and competence is no less than anyone else’s. This is an ode to the strength of our women.

As a mark of respect and honour for our women, it has been stated in our ancient scripturesthat; “Yatr naaryastu poojyante ramante tatr devata | Yatr naaryastu poojyante ramante tatr devata|.” Means ‘God resides where women are worshipped’. It is true that, if we link our ancient cultural heritage with our modern approach to encourage our women in all fields, then we will definitely carry forward our country’s and society’s tradition. Women and men together can take the society and country towards total development. This is why we will have to give our daughters the best education possible and dedicate them to our country’s growth.

The women in our country have been diverse with the way they have engaged in various groups, communities and society across different periods of time. With time, women in our country have been empowered to come forward and have been strengthened to take decisions. It is my opinion that, in order to empower women, we should first make them skilled. When a woman is educated and skilled, she also makes a family and society educated and skilled. As long as women are not fully educated, skilled and prosperous, it is not possible for the country to achieve the desired economic growth and meet the targets. When women progress in every village, town and city in our country, only then will India go forward on the path to development.

Our government is running many schemes for women’s empowerment. For empowerment and progress of women, the government is running various schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Yojana, Mahila E-haat Scheme, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, Sakhi Yojana, Ladli Yojana, Digital Lado, Swachh Bharat Mission. Our government is also working extensively on women’s nutrition. In order to take good care of children and ensure their healthy upbringing, it is important to make sure women’s diet and nutrition are also up to the mark. This is very important for the future generations of our country.

We are working on women’s skill development with priority. I am happy that the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Women and Child Empowerment, and Human Resource Development are working closely in this regard. All ministries are playing their role with utmost dedication and gusto.

We know that every single person has their unique skill set. What is needed is a mechanism to ensure that that skill-set is identified and honed in the best possible way. As the Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister, it is my fundamental responsibility to ensure that all women in our country from different occupations are trained in their respective skill-sets and are employable. We would like them to put best use of their skill-set to be self-employed and entrepreneurs and progress. We have also been successful in achieving this objective at a fast pace.

If we are to talk about the skilling activities that our ministry has undertaken, around 68.12 lakh women in India have been trained under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikaas Yojana 2.0. Under the Jan Shikshan Sansthan Scheme, around 4.08 lakh women have been trained in the 2018-2020 period, while 38.72 lakh women have been trained in Industrial Training Institutes (ITI). This is a big achievement for the women in our country. At present, there are 18 National Skill Training Institutes across the country to train women. Special batches are being conducted to provide basic, theoretical and advanced training to women.

It is a matter of joy and pride that while women in India are studying electronics, fashion design, technology and business management, there are also some who hone their new age skills in artificial intelligence, data analytics, 3D printing, etc. Along with traditional skills like beauty, wellness and healthcare, women are also progressing quickly in non-traditional skills such as electronics and hardware. Through skilled and gender-skilling, we are trying our best to increase the contribution of women in our country.

The National Rural Livelihood Mission has strengthened women’s skills and prepared them for employment. Training for self-employed tailors, beauty therapists, customer care executives, hair stylists, yoga trainers, etc. are being carried out in Prime Minister Skill Centres. Very soon, one will get to see women playing significant roles in Central Government schemes such as Ayushman Bharat Yojana, Swachh Bharat Mission and Smart City Mission. These schemes of our government are going to play a big role in bringing women into the fold of such national missions. By joining these missions, women will make a huge contribution in giving an orderly shape to the society. In fact, in the creation of a ‘New India’, women’s education and skill development is going to be critical.

It is true that without empowering women, it is difficult for any nation or society to achieve complete development. For the creation of a ‘New India’, complete development and social sustainability is dependent on women’s skill development. This is why our vision is focused on the all-round development of women. Through this, we will also be able to ensure significant participation of women in the labour force of this country.

In the last few years, under the leadership of our glorious Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Central Government has rolled out various schemes that have emboldened the women of our country and taken them on the path of self-reliance and security. With these schemes that our government has introduced, not only will women progress, but they will also help the country’s economic development gain momentum.

The efforts of our government have created a milieu of trust in the women of our country today. They are confident that the country’s government machinery is standing by them by creating an atmosphere of respect and development for women. In the past few years, our government has made massive advancements in providing education and honing skill-sets. It is our pledge to make sure that this reaches each and every woman of our country. We are fully prepared to fulfil this pledge with aplomb.

On this special day, I salute the power of Indian women. (PIB)