Empowering Through Education: A Savitribai Phule Perspective on Women’s Roles in the New Education Policy (NEP)

The new education policy introduced by the government has rolled out various programs aimed at uplifting the situation of women. While these initiatives are commendable, there is a glaring gap when it comes to addressing the unique challenges faced by Dalit women. These women, who belong to the most marginalized sections of society, are often left out of the broader discourse on women’s empowerment. The policies designed for their upliftment are few and far between, reflecting a systemic oversight. Even when such policies exist, Dalit women remain largely uninformed due to the lack of effective communication and outreach strategies. Their limited awareness is compounded by the daily struggles of managing household chores and enduring caste-class oppression, which further restrict their access to educational and employment opportunities. Moreover, the focus of the existing programs often leans towards low-skilled jobs, which, while providing some economic relief, fail to impart the true essence of education. Education, in its most powerful form, is a tool for empowerment and social transformation. However, the current approach reduces it to a mere means of economic survival. As a result, Dalit women, even if they manage to acquire some form of education or skill, are not equipped to challenge the socio-cultural norms that oppress them. This perpetuates a cycle where they remain disempowered, unable to break free from the shackles of caste and gender discrimination. Savitri Bai Phule, a pioneering social reformer and educator, understood the transformative power of education. She consistently emphasized that education should not only be about literacy but should also empower women to become agents of social change. Phule believed that true education would enable women to question and dismantle the structures of oppression that held them back. This paper will critically analyze the status of women in India, particularly Dalit women, through the lens of Savitri Bai Phule’s teachings. By utilizing secondary data, this study will explore how current policies fall short in realizing Phule’s vision of an empowered and socially conscious female populace, highlighting the need for a more inclusive and transformative approach to education for Dalit women.