The advent of modern times has brought about significant changes in Indian society, which include education, nuclear families, and the media, that have led to a perceptible change in the status of women. Women have started entering the labour market, venturing into commerce, and entering fields like driving, space, technology, engineering, architecture, and many more that were traditionally reserved for men. Today, women are contributing to the global economy and their surrounding communities. In the past, women were oppressed and discriminated against, and it was believed that women’s primary social roles were wife and mother, whereas men were the breadwinner. However, with the advent of modern times, women started acquiring education, which created a need among them to redeem their status and to work towards the betterment of their gender in general and society in particular. The law also supported them, and female foeticide was abolished, along with strict punishments for those who indulged in Dowry System. The influence of the media, both domestic and foreign, helped them in attaining liberal views. They realized the strides of progress made by women in advanced countries.
The success of women entrepreneurs in the west also influenced Indian women, and they felt the need to question the subjugation that they were being subjected to. Education, coupled with liberal views and the support of parents, helped women gain a new identity in the male-dominated society. As women started entering the labour market and venturing into commerce, they began owning and changing the face of businesses of today, both literally and figuratively. The past decade has seen a dynamic growth and expansion of women-owned businesses. The expansion in revenues and employment has also far exceeded the growth in numbers. Women like Kalpana Chawla, PT Usha, Sania Mirza, Pratibha Patil, and many more are breaking traditional paths and inspiring others to do so. Today, there is heightened awareness among them to fight discrimination. Women of today are contributing to the global economy and their surrounding communities. The presence of women in the workplace is also creating a tremendous impact on their employment and business environments. The role of women in family life has also changed significantly. As an educated housewife or as a working woman, she has acquired a respectable place in society. Today’s women, young women, in particular, are becoming more career-oriented, with high educational aspirations and greater ambitions at the same time. In spite of their careers, they are still maintaining the value traditionally placed on them, those of family and nurturing. With relevant education, work experience, improved economic conditions, and financial opportunities, women are creating and sustaining successful business ventures. Underdeveloped and developing countries feel pressurized upon looking at the status of women in developed countries. The status of women affects a country’s reputation and the economy as developed or underdeveloped. Working women help with the household income, which leads to the well-being of the family as a whole.
As the emergence of career-oriented women continues to grow, it is important for local governments to take proactive steps to support and empower women in their communities. This can be done by implementing policies and programs that promote gender equality, providing access to education and training opportunities, and creating a supportive environment for women in the workforce. It is also essential for local governments to address any barriers that may prevent women from pursuing their career aspirations, such as the lack of affordable childcare or the prevalence of gender-based violence in the workplace. By prioritizing the needs of women and promoting their full participation in society, our local governments can help to build a more inclusive and equitable community for all.