I. INTRODUCTION

The term "Empowerment" means to have the authority or the entitlement to do a particular thing as per ones own desire and without depending on anyone. When we add this term in the context of 'Women' it means the fulfillment of every women's right to have their own voice, own identity and self reliance in the society. Women Empowerment if achieved fully means the end of "Patriarchy" and also the withering away of the male dominated society. In this text an attempt has been made to show how a society patterned my men affects the lives of women and how a woman faces them and the progress of woman empowerment throughout the world.

II. RELATED STUDY

Recently the term Women Empowerment has become extremely popular and several scholars have given their views and expressions over it. Duflo (2012) suggests that women empowerment and economic development of women are directly related to each other. Dr. Sundaram, Dr. Sekar and Dr. Subburaj (2014) have explained that Women Empowerment can only be achieved if women have the awareness and will power to achieve it and this can only happen if women acquire the proper spirit of education. It is the most effective tool for uplifting women. KC Mandal (2013) have expressed that Women Empowerment has many dimensions and it does not depend on one factor. It has many factors like Social, Educational, Political, Economic and Psychological. If women can uplift themselves in all these areas then only can women empowerment happen in its fullest extent. Goel and Gupta (2019) interestingly says that the growth of technology especially the dependency on smart phones have empowered women whether working or housewife especially in India to connect with the outside world which in a way contributed to their empowerment. Dr. Moon (2011) observed that the Indian Government's programme to link Self Help Groups with Banks have helped women to have access over their savings as well as control over their credit and income. Felix and Ojo (2006) found that distance education helped the women in Africa to gain access to education which contributed towards empowering them in the African society. Arum (2010) have stressed on the role of NGO's in creating awareness over Women Empowerment in Nigeria. Sethuraman, Lansdown and Keith (2006) have said that eradication of Malnutrition level in rural areas amongst women can contribute to their empowerment. The gap still noticed is the failure to implement equal pay and the studies have not highlighted on involving women in the defence sector giving them equal responsibility and power which men enjoy can also lead to women empowerment.

III. OBSTRUCTIONS TOWARDS WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

All around the world there are several obstructions towards women empowerment. In many societies in Asia, Africa women still are looked down upon if they try to become working women or seek higher education. These societies are still dominated by 'Misogyny' and there the women themselves are patterned to believe that men are superior than them. This Patriarchal hegemony is still prevalent in many societies. These sort of societies act as an impediment towards female upliftment. These can be only eradicated if women unite themselves against these false narratives and work collectively towards their empowerment.

IV. WOMEN IN DEFENSE SERVICES

A serious way of achieving women empowerment is to allow women to have equal share in the Defense services with their male colleagues. In many countries women still are bared from joining the Armed forces or going to combat areas but slowly this narrative that women cannot fight for their Nation is turning into a Myth. The recent Supreme Court verdict in India has allowed Women to get themselves enrolled in the National Defence Academy and also to seek permanent commission in the Army. Women today are becoming pilots of Fighter Planes which was unimaginable a few years back. So women empowerment is gaining a lot of grounds in this ${21}^{\text{st}}$ century.

V. CONCLUSION

Women empowerment can be achieved in letter and in spirit if women irrespective of Religion, Race, Caste, Creed and Nationality join hands and make way for their own development in every sphere of their lives. They must have the feeling of "One for All and All for One". The world community like the U.N. should continuously monitor the needs and interest of women throughout the world. The Feminist Movement towards achieving Equality is gaining popularity throughout the world and their voice towards wrongdoings over women is gaining strength like the "Me Too Campaign". The Governments of different countries should also promote the essence of equality and ensure equal participation of women in every sphere of life. Only then Women Empowerment can be achieved in full vigour and vitality.