POST-INDEPENDENCE TRANSFORMATIONS IN WOMEN EMPOWERMENT: A HISTORICAL AND POLICY-BASED ANALYSIS OF INDIA’S DEVELOPMENT JOURNEY

Abstract

(This research article provides a comprehensive and historical analysis of women empowerment in post-independence India and evaluates the extent to which empowered women have contributed to the country’s socio-economic and political development. Employing a qualitative-historical research method, the study assesses constitutional provisions, legislative reforms, government policies, Five-Year Plans, social movements, and gender-based programmes to understand the evolving position of Indian women since 1947. The research explores the transformation from patriarchal constraints to modern-day empowerment across the domains of education, employment, governance, entrepreneurship, health, and digital participation. The findings reveal that while India has achieved substantial progress in improving literacy rates, political representation, workforce participation, and social awareness, several challenges—including gender gaps in wages, STEM participation, leadership roles, and digital access—continue to hinder full empowerment. The article concludes that women have been instrumental in shaping India’s democratic, economic, and cultural identity, and strengthening gender-inclusive policies will accelerate sustainable national development.)