VOICE & VIEWS
Beyond Literacy: Rethinking Women’s Economic Empowerment in Kerala
1.How does economic development affect women’s lives at the grassroots level?
Respondent: Currently, in the context of Kerala, they have only achieved literacy. To truly reach the grassroots level, it must result in economic empowerment. Unfortunately, that hasn't happened in many cases...
Up until the stage of education, I would say there is no gender difference in Kerala. Girls are equal to, or even better than, boys. However, marriage and motherhood become the “conversion factors.” After that, their lives shift into gendered roles...
Consequently, they either face a “glass ceiling” or withdraw from the labour force entirely. What we need is to solve caregiving and domestic responsibility burdens so women can retain financial independence. The concept of local livelihoods is essential — women should be able to earn within their own localities.
Up until the stage of education, I would say there is no gender difference in Kerala. Girls are equal to, or even better than, boys. However, marriage and motherhood become the “conversion factors.” After that, their lives shift into gendered roles...
Consequently, they either face a “glass ceiling” or withdraw from the labour force entirely. What we need is to solve caregiving and domestic responsibility burdens so women can retain financial independence. The concept of local livelihoods is essential — women should be able to earn within their own localities.
2. As an academic leader involved in extension and incubation, how can educational institutions directly support local communities?
Respondent: The era of relying solely on classroom education is long over. Students cannot learn everything through traditional classroom methods...
When I started a small startup to upcycle tailoring excess, I realized I didn’t actually know the practical basics of costing, pricing, branding, and marketing. The realities on the ground are entirely different.
Students must step out and gain real-world experience within local communities.
When I started a small startup to upcycle tailoring excess, I realized I didn’t actually know the practical basics of costing, pricing, branding, and marketing. The realities on the ground are entirely different.
Students must step out and gain real-world experience within local communities.
3. How should students and institutions adapt to these real-world realities?
Respondent: Teaching must move beyond basic instruction. Students must look beyond marks and certificates and focus on actual skills required to function in the economy. Without this shift, classroom teaching remains incomplete.
4. What lessons does this initiative offer for scaling environmentally sustainable livelihoods?
Respondent: Scalability is a major challenge. People assume training and funding are enough, but operational efficiency, branding, and marketing are the real obstacles.
Self-Help Groups often lack knowledge in costing and branding. This creates a massive opportunity for students to support women in building sustainable livelihoods — if they are willing to go beyond just earning a degree.
Self-Help Groups often lack knowledge in costing and branding. This creates a massive opportunity for students to support women in building sustainable livelihoods — if they are willing to go beyond just earning a degree.
Students with Dr. Nirmala Padmanabhan.
5. Why is transitioning to a circular economy critical today?
Respondent: The world is facing imminent resource stress. Our current growth model is not sustainable.
The circular and regenerative economy includes regenerative farming, urban farming, water conservation, and waste management.
We must move beyond “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” and emphasize Reduce, remanufacturing, and refurbishing. It is a collective responsibility involving technology, men, women, and society at large.
The circular and regenerative economy includes regenerative farming, urban farming, water conservation, and waste management.
We must move beyond “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” and emphasize Reduce, remanufacturing, and refurbishing. It is a collective responsibility involving technology, men, women, and society at large.
Fathima Sana
Comments
Post a Comment