Women Breaking Barriers and Making History in India: Empowerment on the Rise in 2022
In 2022, India saw a wave of women breaking barriers and making history as they rose to positions of power and influence. From the presidency to the Olympic Association, women are empowering themselves and each other in ways that were unimaginable just a few years ago. From driving taxis to delivering goods, women are challenging traditional gender roles and breaking into fields that were once male-dominated. Join us as we celebrate the unstoppable women of India and the bright future of empowerment on the rise!
Here are some achievements and accomplishments of women in India in 2022:
- Draupadi Murmu became the 15th President of India, making her the first woman from the Scheduled Tribe to hold this position.
- PT Usha became the first female President of the Indian Olympic Association.
- Dr. N Kalaiselvi became the first female Director General of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
- The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made a historic decision to bring pay and benefits for male and female cricketers to parity, and to increase the match fees for female cricketers to be equal to those of male cricketers.
- Women in India are increasingly participating in fields that were previously male-dominated, such as driving taxis and delivering goods.
- The Jan Dhan Yojna program has resulted in 56% of accounts being held in the names of women, with 67% of these being held by women from rural and small towns.
- Women are breaking into traditionally male-dominated fields and challenging traditional gender roles.
Women’s Sports Take Center Stage in 2022
The year 2022 was a historic one for women’s sports in India, with several major victories and achievements. The women’s cricket team won the Asia Cup by defeating England on their home turf, and the Indian women’s hockey team, led by captain Savita Punia, beat Spain 1-0 in the final to win the inaugural F1H Nations Cup in Valencia.
In wrestling, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat won gold medals at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, and Mirabai Chanu dominated in weightlifting, with young Jeremy Lalrinnunga and Archita Sheoli also shining. In boxing, Nikhat Zareen made history by becoming the queen of the ring and achieving a hat-trick of gold medals. She was the first Indian player to win a second gold at the prestigious Strandja Memorial tournament and went on to become a world champion and win gold at the Commonwealth Games.
In 2022, P.V. Sindhu had a highly successful year in sports, winning several tournaments including the Syed Modi International, the Swiss Open Super 300 tournament, and the Singapore Open Super 500 tournament. She also won a gold medal at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games. In the same games, the women’s lawn balls team made history by winning a gold medal, with team members Nayanmoni Saikia, Pinky, Lovely Chowdhary, and Rupa Rani Tirkey all contributing to the win.
Priya Singh Meghwal from Rajasthan also achieved success, winning a gold medal at the 39th Body Builders Competition in Thailand. She was the first female bodybuilder from Rajasthan and had previously been crowned Miss Rajasthan in 2018, 2019, and 2020.
Overall, the year 2022 marked a turning point for women’s sports in India, with numerous individuals and teams breaking barriers and making history. This significant progress is a testament to the empowerment and strength of women in India, and serves as an inspiration for future generations. We can only hope that this trend continues and that we continue to see more and more women breaking through barriers and achieving success in all areas of life.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
Despite some progress towards women’s empowerment in India, there are still many challenges that need to be addressed. After the highly publicized case of Nirbhaya’s rape, little has changed in terms of women’s safety. Under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, which was enacted in 2014, 70% of cases remain unresolved. While the government has taken steps to improve conditions for women, the implementation of these measures has been lacking.
Female infanticide is a common occurrence in urban and semi-urban areas of India, and girls are often not given the same attention and care as male children. In rural areas, girls are often responsible for taking care of their younger siblings. To truly empower women and girls in India, there needs to be a shift in attitudes towards girls and women, starting with families and involving a change in the behavior of parents.
In conclusion, women’s empowerment in India remains a crucial issue that requires ongoing attention and efforts. While progress has been made in recent years, significant challenges still persist. It is essential that we continue to work towards creating a more equitable society, where all individuals, regardless of gender, have the opportunity to reach their full potential. By addressing the challenges and working towards solutions, we can pave the way for a brighter future for women in India and beyond.
