There is a lot of talk of empowerment of women in Indian politics. Promises are also made for them in electoral manifestos, but as soon as the election passes, a layer of dust accumulates on the promises. Hardly any public representative goes to the threshold of the house to listen to their misery, to understand their expectations?
This is a bitter truth that women have lived in most states of the country. But you have to praise Bihar who has set a new example by breaking this pattern. A state that has seen women exercising franchise on men’s instructions for decades, today the same women have been writing a new chapter of empowerment, which has become an exemplary model for the country.
There is an important stop ‘Mahila Samvad’ program in this transformative journey, which was started at the village level in the state from April 18. This initiative is not only a government exercise, but is a strong medium to speed up social change by keeping women in the center. This program has become an important platform for listening to the voice of daughters, mothers and sisters of the state seriously, understanding and shaping future policy and administrative initiatives.
It is a matter of satisfaction that so far 52,468 women dialogues have been successfully organized in 38 districts, in which more than 1 crore 13 lakh women participated enthusiastically. This number is also a lively proof of how eager and aware of the women of the state to raise their voice and join the government directly. From Darbhanga to East Champaran, Muzaffarpur, West Champaran, Gaya, Purnia, Samastipur, Nalanda and Vaishali, women have spoken with impunity everywhere. He has given policy-makers an opportunity to understand what priorities should be taken in the direction of women empowerment.
This background of female dialogue is not casual. If we look at the tenure of Nitish Kumar carefully, it is known that first of all, there was an emphasis on arousing education in girls. While girls in Bihar used to go less in government schools around 2000, the introduction of the Chief Minister’s Balika Cycle Scheme in the year 2006 brought revolutionary changes. This scheme inspired girls for education, so that they started cycling from far-flung villages and started reaching school. Its success inspired other states of the country to adopt it.
Along with education, historical steps were taken in government jobs to make women self-reliant. Since 2013, 35 percent reservation is being given to women in police recruitment. Since 2016, women are being given 35 percent reservation in all types of government appointments, and they have been empowered by giving 50 percent reservation in primary teacher planning.
The formation of ‘Jeevika’ self -help group is also playing an important role in empowerment of women and poverty alleviation. In 2006, ‘Jeevika’ started by taking loans from the World Bank has proved to be a boon for the economic progress of rural women. The name ‘Jeevika Didi’ given by the Chief Minister to these women has become an identity today.
Currently, 10 lakh 64 thousand self -help groups are working in Bihar, with more than 1 crore 35 lakh livelihoods connected. By connecting with livelihood, these women are improving the standard of living of themselves and their community by encouraging small scale industries and cottage industries.
Women’s Dialogue: Roadmap for future development
In the ‘Mahila Samvad’ program, women of the state have made many important and practical demands, which reflect their vision and aspirations. His most prominent demand is related to self -employment, including loans at cheap interest rates for self -help groups and initiatives like ‘Jeevika Didi Ki Kitchen’ and ‘Jeevika Didi Haat’. The demand for establishment of rice mills at the block level in the agricultural sector, vegetable mart, increase in Kisan Samman Nidhi and setting up of agro -based industries have also arisen.
For basic facilities, banking facilities have been demanded at ‘Jeevika Bhavan’, library and panchayat level. In social reforms, the demands of making complete ban on gutkha, cigarette and tobacco on the lines of prohibition, and women police posts for security, help desk and block level have also been made prominently. It is expected that the government will consider these demands quickly and take the expected decision.
It is satisfactory that a golden phase of women empowerment has started in the state due to the policies and schemes of the Bihar government. This positive change in Bihar before and after 2005 is being seen and felt at every level today. The figures themselves confirm this: 93.11% of women today feel more secure, 91.73% of homes have reduced domestic violence, and 87.75% of women consider themselves financially stronger.
Today, women in Bihar are making their place in various fields with their dedication and hard work. This is a changing Bihar, where daughters are now playing their important role in public life and policy-making, not only within the house frame. This increasing participation of women in the creation of developed Bihar is an inspiration not only for the state but for the whole country. This is a clear indication that when women get an opportunity and stage, they have the ability to change the fate of not only themselves but the whole society.
– Sanjeev Kumar Mishra
Senior journalist
