For a better India, we must empower our women says Social Activist Nishant Yadav

Nishant Yadav

When it comes to women's rights and empowerment, India has a long and complex history. However, many social organizations and independent social activists have spent years putting women's rights at the heart of their goals, working relentlessly to promote equality, support women, and justice in wages, behaviour, and opportunities.

Nishant Yadav, a social activist from Lucknow says, "More girls are attending school, fewer girls are being coerced into early marriages, more women are in positions of leadership, and laws are being reinforced to promote gender equality."

"Despite these achievements, many challenges exist unresolved. Discriminatory laws and social norms persist, women remain underrepresented at all levels of political leadership, and one in every five women and girls aged 15 to 49 report experiencing physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner in the previous 12 months." He adds further.

While speaking on the negative effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on gender equality and women's rights, Nishant informs, "The modest progress gained on gender equality and women's rights in the last two years could be reversed. The coronavirus outbreak exacerbates existing inequities for women and girls in a variety of areas, including health, the economy, security, and social protection."

"In India, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have spread like wildfire in recent decades. They are providing a reason for people to live in marginalized and impoverished communities. But, for a better India, we must empower our women."Social Activist concludes.