The silent revolution of Nari Shakti

Source: The post is based on the article “The silent revolution of Nari Shakti” published in the Indian Express on 15^th November 2022.

Syllabus: GS – 2 – mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of vulnerable sections.

Relevance: About the Nari Shakti.

News: On the occasion of the 75th year of India’s independence, the Prime Minister articulated a bold vision that in the coming 25 years, “Nari Shakti” would play a vital role in India’s socio-economic developmental journey.

Note: Kena Upanishad from ancient times mentions that it was the goddess Uma who enlightened the three powerful but ignorant gods, Indra, Vayu, and Agni, to the profound mystery of Brahman.

How is Nari Shakti empowering India at present?

At present, micro and silent revolutions are reasserting the power of Nari Shakti.

Increase in voter turnout: Private research on women voters using historical data has revealed that since 2010, the gender gap in voter turnout has diminished significantly and the recent trends show women voter turnout often exceeds male voter turnout. This is even witnessed in less developed regions of the country also.

The significance of this silent revolution is a) women voters can no longer be marginalised or neglected, b) Women voters demand respect and command attention, c) Compelled political entrepreneurs and grounded leaders to design policies addressing issues that women care about. This is visible from recent poverty reduction programs that are based on amenities such as cooking fuel, sanitation, water, and electricity, and d) Compelled political parties to make law and order a critical political issue in the less developed regions.

Increase in women contesting elections: In the 1950s, in the state assembly elections, women contested elections in approximately 7% of the constituencies, but by the 2010s, women were competing in 54% of the constituencies.

The significance of this revolution is it creates a bottom-up revolution in India and holds lessons for other countries.

What are the challenges faced by Nari Shakti?

Women employment: According to World Bank data, the female labour force participation rate has declined from 32% in 2005 to 19% in 2022. Further, the data does not consider unpaid domestic services. Working women also face double burdens from work and domestic work.

Rising population and its burden on Nari Shakti: Fertility rates have declined dramatically below the replacement rate, the share of the ageing population has increased, and there is an alarming increase in the percentage of kinless elderly.

The care industry is labour-intensive and, therefore, subject to Baumol Cost Disease, implying that the cost of providing care would keep rising over time.

What should be done to improve the contribution of Nari Shakti?

Account domestic services: A private study reveals that women in the age group of 25 to 59 years spend approximately seven hours daily in unpaid domestic services. If this is accounted then a) The level of India’s GDP would be significantly higher, and b) A truer picture of women’s economic contribution would emerge.

Care industry lessons for India from advanced economies: India should encourage men to share the burden of unpaid domestic services. This would require a break from tradition and the creation of new modern narratives and myths.

When the rest of the world is experiencing a “democratic recession”, India is on track to improve the participation of Nari Shakti and make democracy more progressive.