Explore the transformative power of women in leadership roles in rural communities. Learn about the positive impact women leaders have on community development, empowerment, and gender equality. Discover inspiring stories and effective strategies for fostering women's leadership and driving change in rural areas.
Women are the primary agents of change needed to promote sustained development in rural India. Given that a substantial portion of the agriculture workforce comprises women empowering women and developing their leadership abilities becomes vital for economic production. They make up 48% of India's population, according to the Census of India, and can play a significant role in the nation's socioeconomic growth. More women in leadership positions can positively impact rural India because they give them a chance to advance personally, make a living, and give back to their society.
International day of rural women 2021 theme- 'Rural Women Cultivating Good Food for All.'
According to the UN, empowering women is essential to achieving gender equality, addressing food insecurity concerns, ensuring their access to excellent health care and education, and reducing underpayment. The theme of 2021 was "Rural Women Cultivating Good Food for All," which recognised their essential role in ensuring that everyone around the globe has access to fresh food. According to the UN, rural women have been denied fair compensation because of a lack of resources, the inability to own agricultural land, child marriage, potentially fatal pregnancy difficulties, and a host of other complicated issues.
The unrecognised contributions of women to agricultural development, enhancing climate resilience, and bolstering economies are recognised on International Day of Rural Women. However, in a world plagued by gender inequity, prejudiced societal norms, and the quickly shifting economic and environmental landscape, such women are frequently left behind by their male counterparts. Every year on October 15, the International Day of Rural Women is observed to raise awareness about these very issues.
The importance of rural women and girls in promoting sustainable development in rural communities was recognised by the United Nations on the International Day of Rural Women in 2021. The UN stated that women make up a sizable share of the agricultural labour force, including informal jobs, and carry the burden of unpaid care and domestic work within families and homes in rural regions. On this occasion, the organisation had focused on rural women's leadership and participation in establishing laws, strategies, policies, and programmes on all matters that impact their lives.
Challenges of Leadership in Rural India
Even though many women strive to assume greater responsibilities in their communities, they nonetheless face obstacles that limit their chances for advancement. Family disputes, which can occur because leadership positions frequently need greater flexibility and require women to balance domestic and outside work, are one of the leading causes. Additionally, a lack of education can prevent women from taking on additional responsibility since they lack the information base to do so. To help rural women manage their finances more effectively, digital skill training should be made more widely available.
Financial difficulties, such as a lack of resources and knowledge about lending options, might also deter women from striking out independently. Social and cultural barriers that limit mobility, a lack of support and an inadequate ecology for skill training, stereotypes prevalent in society, and poor health standards- all obstruct access to prospective employment prospects and self-empowerment.
The family needs to be sensitised to empower women to engage in economic activity and independence. Women's empowerment is mainly determined by their awareness of their own worth, sense of identity, understanding of their rights, and capacity for self-determination. Communities can promote equality at the highest levels of decision-making by empowering women to hold leadership positions. This can result in long-term economic success for the community as a whole.
Paving a path to leadership
The National Rural Livelihood Mission is an excellent example of how the Indian Government has actively supported women's leadership in rural areas through women-centric programmes. In rural India, the mission has assisted in forming Self-Help Groups for women, helping these organisations boost members' family incomes and provide them with financial literacy training so they can pursue self-employment prospects.
Corporate entities are also supporting women and assisting them in developing entrepreneurial skills for long-term growth in addition to these initiatives. For the position of rural women to change, there is unquestionably a need for more dedication and teamwork from all social actors. Governments, corporations, and communities must collaborate closely to ensure that women have equal access to resources and pave the way for genuine success. CSR programmes will be essential in assisting skill-development projects, raising awareness, and giving women the tools they need to be more productive.
The Oplangel Foundation is just one such example of an NGO that works relentlessly towards the emancipation of women. Through various drives targeted at providing education, employment opportunities, rehabilitation resources, post-natal care, and many other drives for women, Oplangel aims to bring a sense of equality and radically transform the downtrodden situation of women in both the rural as well as urban areas. Financially independent female leaders and entrepreneurs provide an excellent example for the next generation and gradually alter the community's mentality.
