The extent of empowerment of women in a nation is largely determined by three factors, viz. economic, social and political identity. The Tenth Five Year Plan (2002-07) called for a three pronged strategy of social empowerment, economic empowerment and providing gender justice to create an enabling environment of positive, economic and social policies for women and eliminating all forms of discrimination against them and thus advance gender equality goals. The Government of India has initiated various schemes spread across a broader spectrum such as Women’s need for shelter, security, safety, legal, aid, justice, information, maternal health, food, nutrition etc. as well as their need for economic sustenance through skill development, education, and access to credit and marketing. In order to address the phenomenon of domestic violence, which is widely prevalent but remains largely invisible in the public domain, the Protection from Domestic Violence Act, 2006 was enacted by the parliament. The Act envisages that the protection Officer would assist the victim of domestic violence to be secure from violence and help her to access shelter homes, health care and legal advice. For a holistic empowerment of women to happen, social, economic and political aspects impacting on women must converge aspects impacting on women must converge effectively. The multiple roles of women and the meager ability to access resources and available assets are areas to concern. It is important to emphasise that women require adequate security and protection to be self-reliant. This book consists of 35 papers authored by scholars working in the areas of economic, social and political empowerment of women. The areas touched upon in the book include socio-economic status, women entrepreneurship, women in politics, role of information and communication technology in empowering women, and domestic violence.
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