Chapter 2 · Topic 2.3 · Prelims + Mains3 of 3
Role of Women & Women’s Organisations: Laws and schemes for empowerment
Key points
- Equality = same rights; equity = extra support so outcomes become equal; empowerment = women making their own choices.
- 106th Amendment, 2023: Art 330A, 332A reserve one-third seats for women; starts after delimitation post the next census; lasts fifteen years.
- Stand Up India: entrepreneurship for SC/ST and women; refinance through SIDBI.
- Beti Bachao Beti Padhao: sex ratio at birth monitored.
Prelims box: facts and traps
- Prelims 2024 (Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam): does not start from the 18th Lok Sabha; 15 years and SC women within SC quota are right: (c).
- Prelims 2016 (Stand Up India): both statements right: (c).
Laws and schemes for empowerment
Like a race: equality gives everyone the same shoes; equity moves the starting line for those behind.
Mains 2024 asked to distinguish gender equality, gender equity and women’s empowerment, and why gender concerns matter in programme design.
- Equality: same rights and opportunities.
- Equity: fairness, giving extra support to those behind so that outcomes become equal.
- Empowerment: women gaining the power to make their own choices.
- Why design matters: gender-blind programmes, which ignore how men’s and women’s needs differ, miss women’s needs (toilets, safe transport, timings, land titles).
Distinguish between gender equality, gender equity and women’s empowerment. Why is it important to take gender concerns into account in programme design and implementation?
Political representation. The Constitution (One Hundred and Sixth Amendment) Act, 2023 inserted Article 330A: seats shall be reserved for women in the House of the People (Lok Sabha), and as nearly as may be one-third of the seats reserved for Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes go to women of those groups.
- When it starts: under Article 334A the reservation takes effect after delimitation (redrawing constituencies) based on the first census after the Act.
- How long: it ceases after fifteen years.
- Prelims 2024 asked about the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’: it does not start from the 18th Lok Sabha; the 15-year term and SC women’s seats within the SC quota are correct.
Consider the following statements regarding ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ : 1. Provisions will come into effect from the 18th Lok Sabha. 2. This will be in force for 15 years after becoming an Act. 3. There are provisions for the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes Women within the quota reserved for the Scheduled Castes. Which of the statements given above are correct ?
- 1, 2 and 3
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
Show answer
Answer: (c) · UPSC official key
Schemes.
- Prelims 2016, ‘Stand Up India Scheme’: its purpose is to promote entrepreneurship among SC/ST and women entrepreneurs, and it provides for refinance through SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of India). Both correct.
- Beti Bachao Beti Padhao uses the sex ratio at birth (SRB) as a monitoring parameter (PIB, Dec 2021).
With reference to ‘Stand Up India Scheme’, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Its purpose is to promote entrepreneurship among SC/ST and women entrepreneurs. 2. It provides for refinance through SIDBI. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: (c) · UPSC official key
| Area | Key provision |
|---|---|
| Political | Art 330A, 332A: one-third seats (106th Amdt, 2023) |
| Work | 26 weeks maternity leave (2017 Act); night shifts with consent (Labour Codes, 2025) |
| Enterprise | Stand Up India: SC/ST and women entrepreneurs |
| Girl child | Beti Bachao Beti Padhao: SRB monitored |
What UPSC asks: Prelims: equality vs equity; one-third seats; Stand Up India.
Mains box: analysis and answer points
- Mains 2024: gender-blind programmes miss women's needs: toilets, safe transport, timings, land titles.
Practice
Write an answer
In 150 words, explain the significance of Role of Women & Women’s Organisations with one recent example.
Flashcards (4)
Article 330A?
Seats reserved for women in the Lok Sabha.
When does women's reservation start?
After delimitation following the next census.
Equality vs equity?
Same opportunities vs extra support for fair outcomes.
Stand Up India refinance through?
SIDBI.
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