Grit, Gumption and Goals

A role model for social reforms, Dr Mariazeena Johnson advocates for quality education, vocational training and equal rights and opportunities for women and girls

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According to you, how can the government accelerate women's empowerment?

The ongoing government initiatives towards women's empowerment are extremely beneficial. However, there is scope for further enhancement, especially for rural women. Handholding schemes for single mothers, more funding opportunities and guidance for women entrepreneurs, welfare and health schemes for women, and particularly health and hygiene protection schemes for those above 10 years of age are some of the long-term initiatives that can improve the condition of women at the grassroots. Insurance schemes for war widows and migrant female labourers help in making them self-sufficient. As an educator, I strongly believe that 'educate and empower' schemes for girls who leave school from standard 8 onwards will help in preparing the next generation of empowered women who are financially secure.

How are you fostering women's empowerment in the education sector?

It is imperative that empowerment is a long-term process and not a one-time plan. A larger vision and pragmatic approaches will lead to sustainable women's empowerment in any sector. A strong woman is an asset to her family, thereby to society. Reforms should therefore be directed primarily to empower the woman in a family by any scheme at a state or national level before implementing a holistic approach. The responsibility of implementation through smaller groups and local administration can be reviewed and monitored by the district authorities, perhaps at a nodal centre level.

The education sector has a vast scope of empowerment right from the foundation level.

As the chancellor of Sathyabama, I ensure that women are taken into account while drawing any model or policy for implementation. As an institution, we provide annual 'seed money grants' to women entrepreneurs in equal proportion to their male counterparts.