The word Empowerment is widely being used in the Development context. Empowerment of women is a much talked about concept in civil society as well as in the Church. The civil society has enacted certain laws in this regard. The Church in India too has brought out a policy titled “Gender Policy of the Catholic Church of India.” The Gender policy of the Church of India itself is an indicator to show that the Church is actively involved in empowering women. As a male I understand the contribution of the Church in empowering the rural women as follows.
- Almost all the dioceses in India have Social Work Centres (NGOs) by different names. Similarly many religious congregations both men and women too have ‘Social Work’ Centres (NGOs) by different names and mainly it is these Centres which are empowering the rural women in India irrespective of caste and creed.
- Economic empowerment of women occupies the centre stage in all this work of empowerment of women. Women’s Associations by different names like Mahila Sangha, Magalir Sangam, Mahila Mandal are instrumental in effecting economic development of rural women. Small savings habits are the foundation for whatever economic development is taking place in these women’s Associations. This small savings habit and activity in the associations earned the name ‘Women Self Help Group.’ The Social Work Centres facilitate these Self Help Groups to obtain thrift funds from some Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Government organisations like NABARD and Banks for their economic activities.
- The very fact of women coming together as a group gives them a great deal of self confidence and courage. Their involvement in all the activities of their associations like accumulating small savings, depositing in Banks, obtaining loans, taking up income generating activities instil leadership qualities in women.
K.John Don Bosco
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