Sustainable Development through Empowerment of Women: Role of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) - A study of Kashmir

Abstract

In this paper, the researcher aims to highlight that how empowerment of women- half of the world’s population, contributes towards the Sustainable Development. As women in areas like Kashmir particularly in rural areas of Kashmir are mostly illiterate and have been traditionally engaged in domestic work wherein they use natural bounty (forest etc.). Their illiteracy and such proximity with the nature would certainly have an impact on the upbringing of their children and the natural environment. In such a situation Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) would prove handful in the empowerment of women, so that they would become aware about their duties and responsibilities towards Sustainable Development. The researcher in this paper attempts to visualize the importance of women in preservation of the natural sink (forests), so that our future is not put in jeopardy. No development in the world can be inclusive and sustainable without women being a part of it. In order to enable women to be part of sustainable development and perform their duties and responsibilities towards this end, they need to be empowered and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) can be handful enough in this regard especially in patriarchal societies.