DR. B. R. AMBEDKAR'S THOUGHTS AND CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

The present paper is an attempt to highlight Baba Saheb Dr. B. R. Ambedkar's view on women problems in pre and post-independent India and its impacts on future generations. It is the outcome of the extensive analysis of his work on women empowerment extracted from speeches delivered by him in parliament and proceedings of various conferences in pre and post-independent India. Dr. Ambedkar was among the pioneers Indians who broke down the barriers coming in the way of advancement of women in India. He launched journals Mook Nayak in 1920 and Bahiskrit Bharat in 1927 and through these, he put due stress on the gender equality, dire need of educating women and exposed the social, traditional and cultural problems faced by the women in India. He strongly advocated for the measures of family planning for the betterment of state of women in Bombay Legislative Assembly.  He created awareness among poor and illiterate women and inspired them to fight against oppression by higher castes and other unjust and social practices like devdasi system and child marriages.  He framed many laws for Women in India viz, (i) Dearness Allowance, (ii) Employees' State Insurance, (iii) Provident fund Act (iv) Women Labour welfare fund, (v) Divorce Act, (vi) Right over parental Property, (vii) Women Labour Protection Act, (viii) Maternity benefit for women Labour bill, (ix) Leave Benefit to Piece Workers, (x) Revision of scale of pay for employees, (xi) Restoration of ban on women working underground in mines, (xii) No marriage before age of 18 years, (xiii) Maintenance allowance from husband on getting legal separation, (xiv) Widow can adopt a child, (xv) Equal pay for equal work irrespective of the sex and (xvi) Mother can change guardian of minor by will. Dr. Babasaheb spent the whole of his life for improving the lifestyle of women belonging to every sphere of life, even for those who are involved in bad practices and professionals like prostitution.