Women and Development

The principle of gender equality is enshrined in the Indian Constitution in its Preamble Fundamental Rights, Fundamental duties and directive principles. The constitution not only grants equality to women but also empowers the state to adopt measures of positive discrimination in favour of women. Within the framework of a democratic polity our laws development policies plans and programmes have aimed at women’s advancement in different spheres. From the Fifth Five Year Plan 1974-78 onwards has been a marked shift in the approach to women’s issues from welfare to development. In recent years the empowerment of women has been recognized as the central issue in determining the status of women. The National Commission for women was set up by an act of Parliament in 1990 to safeguard the rights and legal entitlements of women. The 73rd and 74th amendments 1993 to the constitution of India have provided for reservation of seats in the local bodies of Panchayats and Municipalities for women laying a strong foundation for their participation in decision making at the local levels. Covering a wide area of women studies the book focuses both on international and national aspects of the issues with special reference to the Indian economy and its development.