Volume-XI, Issue-II, March 2025 |
Impact of the Social Security Schemes undertaken by the Government of West Bengal for women empowerment: A Case Study Dhananjay Sarkar, State Aided College Teacher-I, Dept. of Sociology, Dr. Meghnad Saha college, West Bengal, India |
Received: 20.03.2025 | Accepted: 29.03.2025 | Published Online: 31.03.2025 | Page No: 340-347 | ||||
DOI: 10.29032/ijhsss.vol.11.issue.02W.031 | |||||||
ABSTRACT | ||
Social security is essential for the development of individual in a society. International Labor Organization (ILO) defines social security as the protection that a society provides to individuals and households to ensure access to healthcare and guarantee income security. These risks are essentially contingencies against which an individual of small means cannot effectively provide by his own ability or foresight alone or even in private combination with his fellows. In fact, social security means security against giants of “squalor,” meaning security against all those evils that come through the unplanned and unorganized growth of cities. It is to protect the poor and ensure that they have an acceptable standard of living. The concept of social security in India developed during World War II and was influenced by western ideas and industrialization. The social security laws in India are based on the Directive Principles of the State Policy in the Constitution of India. Social security is a human right which response to the universal need for protection against certain life risks and social needs. It covers eventualities like Sickness, Maternity, Disability, Death, unemployment, empowerment and old age. Social Security in India covers treatment, rehabilitation, women empowerment or compensation. Lack of social security in India or in any other nation can lead to destitution, crime, child labour, etc. The evolution of social security laws in India dates back to the time of Dr. Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar. Dr. Ambedkar, the first Labour Minister of India had taken enormous initiatives for social security. His efforts led to a reduction of working hours from 14 to 8 hours, insurance for workers, the creation of the Employees Provident Fund Law and amendments to the Workmen’s Compensation Act,1923 and the Factories Act, 1934. The efforts made by Dr. Ambedkar will always be a guiding light for the future. Article 43 of the Constitution of India talks about the responsibility of the state to provide social security to the citizens of this country by effective legislation, economic organizations or in any other appropriate way to all workers, industries, a living wage, a decent standard of living, time for leisure and social and cultural opportunities. Social Security policies cover various types of social insurance, maternity benefits, pensions, gratuity, disability benefits, etc. The Government of West Bengal has several social security schemes to empower women, including financial assistance, safety and security, health and education. Women empowerment can be defined as the process of upliftment by which women can gain control over the factors which greatly affects their life and well being. This research paper talks about the concept of social security schemes for women empowerment run by the Government of West Bengal. Keywords: social security, protection, women empowerment, upliftment, healthcare, education, financial assistance, social and cultural opportunities, efforts, Government of West Bengal. |