When we empower women, we tap into the full potential of humanity, paving the way for a more just, equitable and sustainable world for all
Women in Bengal planting mangrove saplings. Photo provided by CRY In the heartlands of rural Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal, a quiet transformation is underway, spearheaded by the most unlikely of faces. Across these remote corners of the country, where adversity is a constant, it is the women who are rising to the occasion — not just as survivors, but as agents of sustainable change.
One poignant example comes from our intervention area in the hinterlands of Bihar, where middle-aged mothers are breaking the cycle of intergenerational illiteracy by learning to read and write from their school-going daughters.
This seemingly simple act holds profound implications. That is because it not only empowers these women with the tools to navigate an unknown world outside the confines of domesticity, but also sets a powerful precedent for future generations.
45-year-old Anjani Devi has just learnt to write her name, all thanks to her 16-year-old daughter Disha, a Class XI student. The mother is happy that she doesn’t need an angutha chhaap (thumb print) anymore. “Mujhe kabhi mauka nahi mila. Ab mil raha hai, to main aur sikhna chahti hoon (I had never got a chance. Now that I have got one, I want to learn more,” says Anjani Devi, with a confident smile. A small step into the unknown, but a big leap of faith.
Similarly, in a coastal district of West Bengal, where the relentless fury of cyclones threatens livelihoods and lives, women have taken up the responsibility to stave off a seemingly unconquerable demon.
Soil erosion is a stark reality. Women in the community — Maloti, Rita and others — are mindfully aware of the perils that are waiting to happen and the risk that may befall their children in the years to come. The land they live on may be washed away completely. It is this gnawing fear that has prompted the women to take up cudgels against the might of the local river.
By planting and nurturing mangroves, these women are not just combating the immediate threat of natural disasters but are also trying to safeguard their communities for generations to come. Around 10,000 saplings of various varieties of mangroves have been arranged for, thanks to volunteers of a local non-profit. Maloti is hopeful that over the next few months and years, the entire stretch of the embankment will turn into a green shield. Hence, we say: When women are empowered, communities thrive.
Yet, the narrative of empowerment extends beyond these stories to encompass the most marginalised and stigmatised. In the shadowy alleys of a red-light area in a West Bengal district, a woman dares to dream of a different future for her daughter. Through sacrifices and determination, she is trying to break free from the shackles of her past, channelling her hopes and aspirations into her daughter’s education. By insisting on her daughter’s enrolment in a mainstream school, she is not only defying societal norms but also laying the groundwork for a brighter tomorrow.
Similarly, in a far corner of Jharkhand, a 45-year-old mother forced into marriage and motherhood at a tender age, refuses to let history repeat itself. Despite the hardships she has endured in her own life, she harbours a vision of empowerment for her daughter—a vision that transcends the confines of tradition and patriarchy. She vows to provide her daughter with the opportunities she never had: the opportunity to study, to work and to choose her own path in life.
These stories encapsulate the essence of empowerment—the belief that every woman, regardless of her circumstances, possesses the inherent potential to bring positive change in her life and the lives of those around her. Empowerment is not a one-size-fits-all solution; it is a deeply personal journey, shaped by individual experiences, aspirations and challenges.
Empowering women from underserved communities requires a holistic approach—one that addresses the intersecting barriers of poverty, gender inequality and social exclusion. It demands investments in education, healthcare, economic opportunities and legal protections. It necessitates the dismantling of stereotypes and the promotion of gender-sensitive policies.
But above all, it requires a fundamental shift in mindset—a recognition of the inherent dignity, worth and agency of every woman. The need of the hour is to embrace empowerment of women, as both a moral imperative and a strategic necessity. For, when we empower women, we tap into the full potential of humanity, paving the way for a more just, equitable and sustainable world for all.
Trina Chakrabarti is the Regional Director of CRY (East)
Views expressed are the author’s own and don’t necessarily reflect those of Down To Earth
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.