Empowerment of women through technology.

By Mrs. Bhuvana Chawla

Empowerment of women is a major concern of the civilised world which has recognised that as compared to men, women are more illiterate, under-nourished, poorer and work longer hours carrying out unpaid tasks. They are grossly under-represented in decision-making bodies, politics, business and industry despite having equivalent capabilities as men. Governments of several countries and NGOs are sensitive to the marginalisation of women due to social and cultural reasons and are working hard to provide equal opportunities and skills to them so that they become self-sufficient. Several laws have been put in place to protect women from gender discrimination, violence and provide them equal access to health services, education, employment, ownership of property, etc.

Women empowerment generally has five components : firstly, women's sense of self worth; secondly, their right to have the power to control their own lives, both within and outside home; and lastly, their ability to influence the direction of social change to create a just social and economic order nationally, internationally and universally. In the last one hundred years, the growth of technology has revolutionised the way we live, work and spend our time. This essay will make observations on how technology has contributed to the advancement and development of ordinary women, changing their life and life style over a period of three generations and empowering them in the process.

Let us start with the kitchen, primarily known as a “Woman’s domain”. Women spend a major part of their time performing household chores, preparing meals for their family. Earlier they used to cook on coal or wood fired stoves. The smoke and fumes emitted put the women at risk of several respiratory diseases. Kerosene stoves and later LPG have made cooking cleaner and faster. Cleaning, washing and other menial household tasks that once filled a woman’s day from dawn to dusk have been revolutionised by electricity, running water, variety of soaps, detergents, cleaning agents, etc. The advent of appliances like mixer, grinder, food-processors, manufactured clothing and household items and modern industrial food production, preparation & transportation have given women more time for themselves. This has empowered them to invest time in their education, career and/or the arts.

Fifty years ago women were confined to their houses as they were not able to independently use the modes of transport available at that time. Susan B. Anthony said, "The bicycle has done more for the emancipation of women than anything else in the world". Mopeds and gearless scooters were not macho enough for men, but were ideally suited for women as they were light, manageable and capable of moderate speed. Increase in mass transport like buses and local trains also contributed to the movement of women from home. Women started dropping their children to schools, doing their shopping from nearby stores, visiting banks for financial transactions, commuting to their place of work, etc. The freedom of movement increased exposure, improved self-esteem and reduced their fear of interacting with the world outside of home. As women slowly and surely stepped out of their homes, their self-confidence grew and reduced their dependence on the male members of their family.

Women of our grandmothers’ generation had no control over their reproduction. They spend their fertile years having one child after another, leading to high maternal and infant mortality rates, poor health. Child-bearing and child-rearing left them with no time, inclination or opportunities for self-development. Improvement in Medical technology reduced death of women during child birth. Awareness and availability of contraceptives have put women in control of their own fertility which is absolutely fundamental to women’s empowerment and equality. Most women in developed countries and several in developing countries are now able to decide how many children they want and how to space them. When a woman can make decisions regarding reproduction free of discrimination, coercion and violence, she is healthier, more productive and has freedom to participate fully and equally in society.

Women in earlier days sought paid employment due to family compulsions. As technology improved, livelihoods of people came to be based more on brains than on brawn. With education came social acceptance of women in the workforce in almost all professions earlier considered as male bastions. The fashion and garment industry, entertainment, media and software industry, all boast of sizeable female employment. From low-level secretaries to business leaders in fortune 500 companies, women are being accepted as managers and leaders in their own right.

When women first started working away from home, a part of them always worried about leaving their children in the care of others. Telephone and later mobile technology has helped working mothers to devote themselves fully to their jobs as they are only a call away. Internet technology has enabled women work to work from home. Now they don’t necessarily have to choose between work and family. Modern innovations like the social networks and other network technology have made telecommuting a reality for almost anyone so it can eliminate or greatly reduce the need to leave home for work every day.

Television became a great medium for information as well as entertainment. Many of the barriers to women empowerment and equity lie ingrained into the cultures of certain nations and societies. Social conditioning has reinforced women’s behavioural and thinking processes making them accept their inferior status with respect to men. Television and mass media has helped women see how their sisters in other communities live and how they could better their own lives. Mass media has also helped spread awareness about domestic violence. It has brought into the drawing rooms discussions on issues like emancipation of women, protests and campaigns for gender equality and promotion. Internet has provided women a space to express their problems and seek help against gender violence.

Advances in technology have not only allowed women to improve their self-image, but they have also provided jobs for woman, allowing them to step up and make their own contributions. In addition to freeing women from menial tasks, technology has leveraged women’s abilities, allowing them to compete with men on a more equal playing field. The advantage of inherent size and strength that men historically enjoyed has largely been negated by pervasive technologies like automobiles, power tools and jobs where mental abilities and soft skills are more valued. Ayn Rand said “The question isn’t who’s going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me.” Technology has proved to be a powerful engine of women’s empowerment.

Vive la femme! Vive la technologie!