Impact of Education in Women Empowerment: A Case Study of SC ...

IJCAES SPECIAL ISSUE ON
BASIC, APPLIED & SOCIAL SCIENCES, VOLUME III, JANUARY 2013
[ISSN: 2231-4946]
Impact of Education in Women Empowerment:
A Case Study of SC and ST women of Sonitpur
District, Assam.
Mukut Kr. Sonowal
Research Scholar Singhania University, Rajasthan
Abstract— Education is the key factor for women empowerment, prosperity, development and welfare.
Discrimination of women from womb to tomb is well known. There is continued inequality and
vulnerability of women in all sectors- Economic, Education, Social, Political, Health Care, Nutrition,
Right and Legal etc. women oppressed in all spheres of life, they need to be empowered in all walk of
life. In order to fight against the socially constructed gender biases, women have to swim against the
system that requires more strength. Such strength comes from the process of empowerment and
empowerment will come from the education. And rural development will come from women
empowerment.
This study an impact of education in women empowerment aims to find out the effect of education on
SC and ST women in rural areas of sonitpur district. This study tries to find out the status of women in
present society, attitude of parents and guardians towards girls education, problem associate with
women empowerment in the SC and ST communities of rural society. This study also highlights that
village girls ware very far from the facilities for proper education. The village women are backward in
Education, Economic, Social, Decision Making, Judicial, Political aspects, etc. Moreover they are
lagging behind in general awareness, communication skills, and health and family welfare aspects. And
this backwardness is hampering the rural development
Keywords— Women, Empowerment, Education, SC and ST
I. INTRODUCTION
Women constitute almost half the human race. Education has been recognized as an essential agent of social
change and development in any society of any country. Education is considered as a potent instrument through
which processes modernization and social change come to existence. Education exposes people to new thoughts and
ideas and provides necessary skills. Hence to think harmonious development without educating women is
impossibility. More over it has been rightly said that to educate a woman is to educate the whole family. Therefore,
the emphasis with regard to women education should be to equip her multiple role as citizens, housewives, mother,
contributor to family income, builders of new society and builder of the nation. In this study, researcher wants to
discuss impact of education in women empowerment among the SC and ST community women of Sonitpur district
Assam.
II. HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF WOMEN EDUCATION :
The history of Indian women can be divided in to three periods i.e. Ancient, Medieval and Modern.
The East India Company established its rule over India since 1757, which call modern period. During this
period education of men was modernized and institutions were opened to promote this but nothing was done to
promote women education
In 1858, the British government took upon itself the direct responsibility of the administration. But in spite of
this, they did not pay any attention towards the education of women of this country.In 1904, Annie Besant
established Central Hindu Girls‟ School at Benaras and Prof. Karue established SNDT Women‟s University at Poona
for the promotion of women education.
After independence, India‟s national government introduced some committee‟s and commissions for the
development of women education in India, i.e. Radhakrishnan Commission or University education Commission
(1948) Smt.Durgabai Deshmukh committee (1959), Smt. Hansa Mehta Committee (1962), M. Bhaktvatsalam
Committee to look into the causes of Public Support particularly in Rural Area for girls Education and to public
Corporation, Kothari Commission (1964-64), Resolution on the National policy on education (1968), Report of the
Committee on the status of women in India(1974),Challenge of Education (1985), National policy on
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Mukut Kr. Sonowal
Education(1986), Programme of Action(1986), and (1992),etc. On the other hand, to develop the primary education
and to achieve the aim of universalisation of primary education upto age level 6-14 years, some schemes or
programmes like, OBB, DPEP, SSA, NLM, National Programme of Nutritional Support of Primary Education
(NPNSPE) or(Mid-Day Meals),RTE Act 2009 and Knowledge Commission etc. were introduced to achieve the
national goal i.e. hundred percent literacy. Despite these government efforts to the education, still women are
lagging behind than men. Women of India generally remained unlettered and uneducated. As a result of ignorance,
women become victims of man dominated society.
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III. STATUS OF WOMEN IN ASSAMESE SOCIETY :
Assam is situated in the North Eastern region of India. It has a glorious past with rich culture, society in northeast
India and as such in Assam. Assamese women possessed great freedom of work and movement in the past time.
Education was limited to the high caste and equivalent castes only. There were no provisions of education for lower
caste women. Women slaves were called Bandis or Betis. The women are an integral part in every society. But status
and education of a women in Assamese society are still backward than men. On the other hand women of SC and ST
communities are most backward than others.
The Indian constitution has granted equal right and status to all irrespective of caste, creed and gender. But in
practice women have been deprived of their constitutional rights in various ways. They are becoming victims of
various social injustice and they are not being able to enjoy their due right and status in society.
IV. A PROFILE OF SONITPUR DISTRICT :
The Sonitpur district is one of the districts of Assam. It is situated between the Brahmaputra River on the south
and the foothills of Eastern Himalayas forming part of Bhutan, Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh on the north.
Lakhimpur district is situated to the eastern part and Udalguri district is situated to the western part. According to the
census report of 2011, the district covered a total area of 5,324 sq. km. And total population of 1,925,975 of which
989,919 were male and 936,056were females. The literacy rate of the district is 69.96, out of which the male literacy
rate is 76.98 and that for the female is 62.53.
The Sonitpur district has fertile river valley, rich water streams, Bills, Tanks etc. There are many reserved
forests such as Naduar, Nameri Tiger Reserve Forest Pabhoi Reserve Forest, Behali reserve Forest etc. Tea, paddy,
vegetables, sugarcane, jute are the main agricultural products of Sonitpur district. Bodo,Mising, Nepali, Bengali,
Muslims, etc. are the good farmers of this district. They produce various types of vegetables in heavy quantity in the
Char areas (river bank). Sonitpur district is dominated by Char, Tea belts and forest village area. Different deprived
communities like Bodo, Mising, Kaibatra(fishing profesioner), etc. are living in these Char (river bank) and forest
village areas in very poor condition without having good education and modern facilities of their life.
The literacy rate of Sonitpur district is not satisfactory. The overall literacy rate in the year 2011 is 69.96 where
male was 76.98 female was 62.53 percent. It was 59.07 in the year 2001 and 48.14 in the year 1991 in person. The
lagging factors in Sonitpur district are related to the conditions prevailing in the Char areas, forest villages where
arrangements of education of the poorer section of the people still not adequate.The purpose of this study is to know
the impact of education in women empowerment in the SC and ST Community of Sonitpur district of Assam.
Significance of women Empowerment :Women are nearly half of the human capital in the society. They also
play varied role in the society. Progress and development is human centered process. Without women equal
evolvement development process at every level will be inadequate. Swami Vivekananda said that “there is no chance
for the welfare of the world unless condition of women is improved. It is not possible for a bird to fly only with one
wing.” Human Resource Development applies equality to women and men.
Education is an important for everyone, but it is especially significant for girls and women. The educational
achievement of women can have ripple effect within the family and across generation.
“Education of boy is education of one person, but education of a girl is the education of the entire family”, said
Jawaharlal Nehru while underlying the importance of women education.
The women of any country have an important contribution in the progress of that country. It is the women who
are capable of building such children who may lead the country to the path of progress and prosperity. Educated
women make the family and the society cultured.
Education is the key factor for women empowerment, prosperity, development and welfare. Discrimination of
women from womb to tomb is well-known. There is continued inequality and vulnerability of women in all sectors –
economic, social, political, education, health-care, nutrition, right and legal etc. Women oppressed in all spheres of
life, they need to be empowered in all walk of life. In order to fight against the socially constructed gender biases,
women have to swim against the system that requires more strength. Such strength comes from the process of
empowerment and empowerment will come from the education.

Impact of Education in Women Empowerment: A Case Study of SC and ST women of Sonitpur District, Assam
Thus, when talk of women‟s development and women‟s status, it is important for us to recognize that
interventions at all levels namely social, cultural, economic, education, health and family welfare, politics, etc. are
required and are possible only if changes take place in the existing system and social structures, which are not at all
favorable to the women today.
Education is one of the most important means of empowering women and giving them knowledge, skills and
self confidence necessary to be full partner in the development process.
V. OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY :
‣ To study the effect of education in women empowerment.
‣ To study the impact of education in rural areas of Sonitpur district.
‣ To study the impact of education in the women of SC and ST community of Sonitpur district.
‣ To study the causes and factors of backwardness in education.
‣ To study the other factors related to SC and ST women and development.
VI. HYPOTHESIS OF THE STUDY :
‣ The effect of modern education in women empowerment is not satisfactory.
‣ Impact of modern education is yet to reach the corners of villages.
‣ Women of SC and ST community are most backward as compared to women of general community in
education.
‣ The communication and other accommodation facilities are not equally and properly distributed in different
places of Sonitpur district.
‣ The effect of education in SC and ST women and rural development is not satisfactory.
VII. DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS
‣ Impact :According to the Chamber‟s 21 st Century Dictionary, the word “Impact” means “Effect” and
“Influence”. According to the Oxford Dictionary, the meaning of “Impact” is “Immediate effect‟ or
“Influence”. In this study the word “impact” means „Effect” or “Influence”.
‣ Education : According to the Oxford Dictionary and Thesaures, the word “Education” means bring up,
civilized, cultivate, training, teaching, guidance, schooling etc.
‣ According to the Dictionary of Education the word “Education” means (i) It includes all the process that
develop human ability and behaviour. (ii) The aggregate of all the process by which a person develops
abilities, attitudes and other forms of behaviour, positive value in the society in which he or she lives.
‣ Empowerment :According to the Oxford Dictionary and Thesaurus the word “Empowerment” means “give
power” or “Authorize” or “license”.
‣ According to the Cambridge International Dictionary, the “Empowerment” means to give (some one) the
official legal authority or freedom to do something.
‣ Development :According to Oxford Dictionary and thesaurus the word “Development” means “stage of
growth” or “advancement” or “extension” or “improvement”.
In this study the word “Impact” means “Effect” or “Influence” and the word “Modern” means “Most recent” or
“Present”. It means the effect of most recent education system of the state on women empowerment and rural
development.
VIII.
LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
Following are the main limitations of this research work –
‣ Due to the vastness of the topic, it is not possible to cover all the aspect within a limited period. Therefore, the
study is strictly conducted only within the sonitpur district of Assam.
‣ The study is restricted within educated and uneducated section of SC and ST women and working and nonworking
classes of women in sonitpur district.
‣ The study will cover only the SC, ST Community women from the sonitpur district.
‣ The study will cover only rural area of the sonitpur district.
IX.
RESEARCH DESIGN
As the present study tries to find out the impact of modern education in the Women of rural areas and compare
the woman of general and SC and ST Communities of Sonitpur district, it falls under the descriptive survey
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Mukut Kr. Sonowal
Category of education research. This study will also focus in the facilities provided for women empowerment and
rural development in different parts of Sonitpur district.
Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. A questionnaire of 40 inquiries were presented
by investigator and presented to the age group 18-40 years women of different families Of Sonitpur district. Here
two villages each from Tezpur, Biswanath and Gohpur Sub-division eight respondents was selected for survey and
total of 40 respondents answered the inquiries. Out of total 40 women respondents 20 were belongs to SC and 20
respondents belong to ST category. Data were analyzed by the percentage of respondents.
X. MAJOR FINDINGS
A. Educational Backwardness
It has been found while analyzing the data that SC and ST village women of sonitpur district are lagging behind
in compression to state literacy rate. The study shows that out of 40 respondents 52.5 % are illiterate, 22.5 % are
school educated or undermatric, 17.5 % are matriculates, 5 % are intermediates and 2.5 % are graduates. There are
no single PG holder and professional women in the SC and ST village area. This study shows that village woman of
sonitpur district are still much backward in education then 67.27 % women literacy rate state of Assam (census
report 2011). Where there 55 % ST and 50 % SC communities women are still illittered. The study shows that 77.5
% women were believe that 3R is not sufficient education for women and 95 % respondent answered the inquiries
that there are no night school, adult school, part time school and any other special education in their area for women
education.
Academi
c
Standard
No.of
responde
nt
Percenta
ge
(%)
Illiterate
SC=
10
ST=
11
50
%
55
%
TABLE – 1 : EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS OF THE RURAL WOMEN.
School Edn.
(i-ix)
Matric- ulation
(x pass)
SC=4 20% SC=4 20%
ST=5 25% ST=3 15%
HS
(xii pass)
SC
=1
ST
=1
Graduate
5% SC=1
5% ST=0 -
5
%
PG
holder
Professional
Oth
er
Nil Nil Nil
52.5 % 22.5 % 17.5% 5 % 2.5 % - - -
The study, exposes 80 % village girl have not received separate reading room at home, 52.5 % girl were not
received the proper study materials and stationeries which are needed for faire study, 97.5 % girls have to engage in
house hold duties. In this study, it has been found that 92.5 % girls were not received proper education due to
financial crises and 80 % were due to house hold works and taking care of brothers and sisters.
TABLE – 2 : EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES FOR GIRLS.
Providing Facilities
Received
Not-Received
Respondent Percentage Respondent Percentage
1.Providing separate reading room SC=8 ST=0 20% 32 80 %
2.Making arrangement necessary books and
journal
SC=7 ST=12 47.5 % 21 52.5 %
3.Reliving and house hold activities SC=1 ST=0 2.5 % 39 97.5 %
4.Supporting to stay in hostel, boarding
house etc.
Nil - Nil -
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Impact of Education in Women Empowerment: A Case Study of SC and ST women of Sonitpur District, Assam
5.By any other means SC=9 St=12 52.5 % 19 47.5 %
B. Occupational Backwardness:
In this study, it has been found that 85 % village women are housewives, 12.5 % women are wage earner and
2.5 % women were working in different govt. semi govt. and private sectors. There are no single professionals and
business women in the village area.
TABLE – 3: RESPONDENTS OCCUPATION.
Service Professional Business Housewife Cultivation Wage earner Other Total
1 (2.5 %) 0 (-) 0 (-) 34 (85 %) 0 (-) 5 (12.5 %) 0 (-) 40
C. Economic Backwardness:
Most of the village women are poorer and they live under the billow poverty line. In this study, 73.33 % women
in the village area come from the BPL families. There are no single respondent above group 1,00,000 in village area.
There for women from the village area are not able to bear the expensive expenditure of education, health care and
family welfare, nutrition, co-curricular activities, uses of mass media etc. out of total 40 of our respondents only 7.5
% women living in rural area plan their family budget and 92.5 % depend on their husband and guardian.
TABLE – 4: ECONOMIC STATUS OF FAMILY.
Group No. of family Percentage (%)
Below 21,000 SC=10, ST=12= 22 55 %
21,001 – 50,000 SC=7, ST=6= 13 32.5 %
50,001 – 1,00,000 SC=3, ST=2= 5 12.5 %
Above 1,00,000 Nil Nil
D. Social Backwardness:
Women of SC and ST communities are living in rural area socially backward with comparison to the general
community‟s women. Preajudies, Super Stitions, Daini, Tantra-Mantra, Bhoot etc. are more among the rural area
people as compared to the town area. In this study we found that 95 % women of SC and ST have taken treatment
from Bez or Kabiraj (quacks) instead of Doctors advice, superstitious believes are still exists among different
communities like Bodos, Rabhas, Misings, Adibashis etc. 75% women and girls are still facing restriction from their
parents to travel any place and any where. 95 % women were feeling insecure to travel anywhere due to lake of
knowledge and empowerment. Women are still dominated by their husband and other male member of paternal
society. On the other hand out of 40 respondent 12.5 % women were in favour of separate school for girls.
E. Political backwardness:
Women of village in general and SC, ST communities in particular are very backward in political aspects. Out
of 40 respondents 30 % SC and 40 % ST responded that they have not participated in the election process of
Panchayat, Assembly and Parliament. In this study it‟s also found that only 7.5 % women are active member of
political parties. On the other hand 92.5 % women of village area never tried to solve their local problem through the
MLA, Society, DC, BDO, President Gaon Panchayat, Ward Member, Head of Village, NGO and club.
F. Backwardness in decision making process:
In this study, it has been found that 37.5 % women living in the rural area are active member of self help group,
4o % women member of SHG related to deposit money for loan scheme, 20 % women member of SHG related to
Weaving, Cutting and Knitting, 15 % women were related to animal husbandry and only 5 % women were related to
grocery and retaliating. Out of total 40 of our respondents only 7.5 % women of rural area plan their family budget
and 92.5 % depend on their husband and guardian, 22.5 % women of rural area sometimes purchases their daily
used essential commodities and 77.5 % women depend on their husband and guardian. On the other hand 45 %
women were often, 55 % were sometimes participate in all the decision making process of their family. There are no
single respondent actively involved in all the decision making process.
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Mukut Kr. Sonowal
G. Right and Judicial Backwardness
In this study, it has been found that out of 40 respondents 35 i.e. 87.5 % women of SC, ST communities living
in rural area are not aware of their constitutional right and legal facilities and safeguards of equal opportunities to
women. In this study it is found that 90 % SC and ST women living in rural area do not know constitutional
provision of reservation for women and other facilities provided by the Indian constitution, 92.5 % women of SC
and ST living in rural area do not know about the Right to Education Act (RTE) of Indian constitution.
TABLE – 5: RIGHT AND LEGAL AWARENESS OF WOMEN.
Category Yes Partially Yes No Total
SC 0(0 %) 3 (15 %) 17 (85 %) 20
ST 0 (0 %) 2 (10 %) 18 (90 %) 20
Total 0 (0 %) 12.5 (10 %) 35 (87.5 %) 20
H. Backwardness in health and family welfare
The third world women‟s has been using empowerment process effectively to improve their own condition.
Empowerment seems to be a particularly important strategy to improve woman‟s health. Maximum women living in
rural area and more particular in SC and ST communities are ignorant about the health care facilities and family
welfare programmes. This study shows that 42.5 % women of SC and ST living in rural area still don‟t know about
the Janani Shuraksha Yojana, 92.5 % women of rural area do not have knowledge about the ICTC testing centre. In
this study, it is found that 95 % women do not know about the cause of Night Blindness, 80 % women don‟t know
about the causes of Anemia, 72.5 % women don‟t know about the HIV/AIDS and STDs and its related diseases. In
this study shows that 40 % women of SC and ST living in rural area still do not have knowledge about the national
immunization programme, DOTs, J.E. vaccine, adolescent reproductive health clinic etc.
I. Backwardness in communication and general awareness
In this study, it has been found that women living in rural area are not aware of the current affairs of the world.
The study shows that 70 % SC, 80 % ST women living in village area were incapable to answer the name who was
first women President of India, where 75 % women of village area do not know about the GYANPITH AWARD
winner writer and social activist Indira Goswami alise Mamoni Raysom Goswami. It is also found that 92.5 women
of SC and ST community living in rural area do not know about the present women speaker of Loksobha or
parliament. On the other hand 92.5 % women living in village area do not read News Papers and Magazines, 67.5 %
women do not enjoy TV due to not availability of TV set and 77.5 % house hold there are no proper electricity
facility in the village area. No single women in rural area use interment facilities. In this study it is also found that
there are no proper communication and transport facilities in the rural area.
XI.
SUGGESTIONS
Following measures may be suggested to overcome the problems which are found in the study.
‣ Proper care should be taken for development of women education in rural and remote area of Sonitpur district
for encouraging the girls of SC, ST communities to school. Guardian, teachers, NGO officials and govt. will
have to take bold steps for empowerment of women in general and women of SC, ST communities in
particular.
‣ Hostel for girls at the middle and high school stages and subsidized transport facilities, wherever necessary and
possible should arrange in rural area.
‣ Attendance scholarships for girl students which serve as a compensation to the parents should be given. This
will also ensure reduction of wastage and stagnation.
‣ Women reservation policy should strictly be maintained in all aspects like appointment in govt. and semi govt.
offices, admission in to the educational institutions, participating in the politics etc
‣ Women of rural areas should be trained up in different vocational courses like handloom and textile, poultry
farms, fish farming, piggery, dairy farm, food and nutrition, fashion and designing, beauty parlour etc. still 95
% women of rural area are not getting vocational training.
‣ General awareness programmes should be taken among the women of village area to sensitizes them about the
modern development of science and technology so that they could give up superstitious believes and attitudes.
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Impact of Education in Women Empowerment: A Case Study of SC and ST women of Sonitpur District, Assam
‣ Health awareness camps should be organized not only for pregnant women but also for general people of the
village community. HIV/AIDS and STD awareness programmes, awareness progammes about Blindness,
Adolescents Reproductive Health Clinic, JE, Malaria, TB, Leprosy, and Anemia etc.should be organized at
different rural areas of the district for development.
‣ In this study, it has been found that 72.5 % responded that they have no electricity facilities and 80 %
responded that they have no proper transport and communication facilities in their villages. The Govt.
department should adopt proper policies and proper implementation of govt. scheme for the benefit of rural
masses and rural development.
‣ To attract the children towards the education, Variety incentives should be provided like free distribution of
text book and stationary, mid-day meal, uniform, attendance scholarship, free transportation facility, free of
cost hostel facilities should be provided.
‣ There should be opening the large number of adult school with facilities of sewing, knitting, handicrafts,
animal husbandry etc., and basic knowledge of health care and food habit.
XII.
CONCLUSION
From the above analysis the discussion, it is found that modern education and facilities have influenced much in
women empowerment. But still rural women in sonitpur district are lagging behind in comparison to women living
in urban areas. Moreover, women of SC, ST communities living in village areas are more lagging behind in
comparison to general women living in these places. On the other hand we did not think about the rural development
without empowering the women.
There is continued in equality and vulnerability of women in all sectors – Economic, Social, Political,
Educational, Health-Care, Nutrition, Right and Legal etc. Education is the key factor for women empowerment and
rural development.
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