Women Empowerment Beyond Finance: Holistic Approaches to Equality

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Treating men and women equally is the goal of gender equity. The process of making policies and schemes by the Government is to make up for the social and historical injustices that were in practice in the past and in the present, which have kept both men and women from participating in all aspects of life, whether they be social, professional, or domestic. In 1908, New York City witnessed 15,000 women march, demanding the right to vote, higher wages, and fewer working hours, marking the beginning of this march for empowerment. Later, in 1975, March 8th was identified as International Women's Day by the UN. Equality is a result of equity. Men and women do not become the same as a result of gender equality. They differ from a biological perspective. According to gender equality, men and women should be able to take advantage of all available resources, opportunities, and socially valuable goods. Therefore, advancing gender equality entails empowering women with an emphasis on recognising and redressing power disparities and granting them the independence to run their affairs.

Gender equality needs to be addressed in the ASEAN context, both on its own and as a means of advancing the other SDGs. Sustainable development requires integrating solutions to today's social, economic, and environmental problems. The use of new data, technology, and collaboration strategies, as well as new funding sources, will greatly improve the lives of women and girls in this region. Enabling everyone to live a respectable life and realise their full potential is another aspect of this. The authors of this paper have attempted to examine the women's empowerment status in Southeast Asian nations and contrast it with India's situation. In addition to economic independence, an effort will be made to determine the elements that support Indian women in making decisions in their private and public lives, as well as in their reproductive and productive lives.