Paper: Dignity and
Empowerment of Women: An analysis Based on the Endeavours of St. Kuriakose
Elias Chavara
Abstract: The language of dignity facilitates the movement to create a supporting
global environment for the recognition, respect and protection of individuals. Empowerment
refers to increasing the spiritual, social, political, educational, cultural,
gender and economic capability of people. The dream of liberating women can
only come true when every section of the society is free from gender bias and
advocates improvement of the status of women in the society. In order to
empower women, the society needs to adopt an integrated approach towards
uplifting them. It is necessary to raise their spiritual, economic, cultural,
religious, political, educational and social status so that they are brought
into the mainstream of national development. St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara, a man of vision
and action, born in the beginning of the 19th century, became a
blessing for the country, especially for the people of Kerala, more particularly
for women and children. His holistic vision comprised the welfare of women and
their much-needed empowerment. It can be confidently stated that Chavara was an
instrument in executing God’s plan and purpose for women, mainly through the
founding of the first indigenous religious congregation for women (TOCD) in
1866 and through the task he entrusted to it. This paper briefly deals with the
ideologies of St. Chavara about the dignity of women and the strategies he
adapted for their empowerment in the derisory backdrop of Kerala in the 19th
century.
Mareena CMC is a doctoral student at Christ University Bangalore, researching on "Contributions of Kuriakose Elias Chavara in Upholding Human Dignity: A Sociological Analysis with special Emphasis to the Social work centres of CMC." She has published several books including, Visudha Chavarayachan: Girisrungathile Kavalvilakku (2015) Women TOCD Facts Versus Fabrications (Co- author, 2013), Arivinte Vazhiye Thapasamanassu (2012) and Ente Oharium Panapathravum (2012).
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