Pathak, Chitra

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT: INTERNET PERSPECTIVE


Abstract

Women development and empowerment is the most discussed issue all over the world. In poor countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America this issue is not only concerning national governments but also the international community. World Bank and other international organisations are now investing more in such projects and programmes. Women development affects child development considerably. Thus, becoming more important to be addressed with priority. In developing countries like India, women constitutes half of the population and a major share of agricultural labourers. Though not mentioned on formal documents/agreeements. The social, cultural and economic system has kept women confined within the household. Heavy discrimination has been practiced even today in all fields of development like education, employment, health, etc. The Indian constitution has tried to keep equal ground for both men and women through legal means. But the reality speaks the other way. There are cases of women harassment, both mental and physical, on a routine basis. The patriarchal and feudal social system especially in northern India, has made life more miserable for women. Caste structures has been oppressive since long and are deep rooted. In 1982 government of India started a programme Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas. It was targeted specifically on women and children. This programme was a component of Integrated Rural Development Programme which has povety alleviation as its primary objective. Since then a number of women and girl child development programmes has been launched. But the enormity of task requires much more than governments localised plans and projects. Unless women feel empowered to take decision about betterment of themselves and their family in the existing social and cultural system the task remains unfulfilled. It was in this context that government of India declared the year 2001 as year of Women Empowerment and launched many development programmes. Women Self Help Groups are examples of the successful outcome of these efforts. One of the major reasons for the backwardness and oppression of women is the lack of adequate and proper knowledge and information necessary for decision making. The recent boom in Information and Communication Tecnology has given a new ray of hope in our efforts to make women empowered. In Indian context, where women carry most of the responsibities like household care, child rearing, family care, supplementing income generation, etc. any effort to make them self empowered will help the society in large. New information technologies especially internet and electronic mail can make a great difference in the present and future life of women . Formal and informal women organisaitons like SHG, Mahila Mandals, women associations can be used as the grassroot units of development. Such organisaitons/groups all over the country are a rich source of experience and knowledge in the field of women development. Internet in this context should not be viewed merely as a network of computers. Looking from human aspect, it is a complex network of people sharing ideas, views, knowledge, information on various issues. It represents a network of people across the geographical boundaries building a strong reciprocal relationship. Internet as a network constitutes millions of people in virtual contact. Today internet is considered as means for better and more information, services and products. It has opened a channel for wider democratic participation. Bringing different development units in rural areas of the country in one network would be a major thrust to our women development endeavour . This paper is an effort to explore the practical applicability of using internet and electronic mail for women empowerment in India.