Bringing women into mainstream

WHAT could be a more ringing endorsement of the International Women's Day theme 'Investing in women and girls' than the one reverberating from a discussion meet organised by ActionAid to mark the day on Wednesday. That women make better and more responsible use of money than their male counterparts and are proficient in jobs requiring attention to detail and finesse are established facts. Little wonder, therefore, that they are such success stories in two sectors -- microcredit and garment industry. Their efficient utilisation of microcredits, both in self-employed and group projects have led to a degree of poverty alleviation in a significant number of households. The replication of such projects on a larger scale is only desirable but that needs a greater allocation of resources.
On the garments front, the owners of factories are required to invest more in the welfare of women workers who are at the raw end of the deal, for all one knows.
There is a noticeable enthusiasm among upcoming women entrepreneurs to start SMEs of one kind or the other. They have a clear case to be given favourable equity terms by the banks and specialised financial institutions.
Investment in girls is vital for grooming up future women leaders. Gender equality in terms of educational access leaves much to be desired in the rural areas. Greater investment is necessary in that area together with awareness building among rural parents to send their daughters to schools and colleges. Widely dispersed vocational training institutes must be opened for them.
There is no doubt that women have come a long way in making their presence felt as doctors, lawyers, journalists, engineers, teachers, researchers and NGO leaders. But, of course, their representation in parliament and policy-making roles is still limited. Greater investment in women and girls can make their future brighter indeed.