Women Empowerment and the Spirit of Navratri

Society & Culture Feminine Energy/Womanhood

Posted by Adv. Kadambari Deokare on 2025-09-25 18:30:00

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Navratri, one of the most celebrated festivals in India, honors the divine feminine energy embodied in Goddess Durga and her nine forms. Each day is dedicated to a different manifestation of the goddess, symbolising strength, wisdom, courage, compassion and resilience. Beyond religious devotion Navratri serves as a reminder of the power of women and the importance of empowering them in every sphere of life. She is honoured as the divine energy that nurtures creation and destroys injustice.

But here’s a question: When the festivities end, do we still recognize this shakti in the women around us?

The story of Durga slaying Mahishasura is not just mythology. It is a timeless metaphor of women rising against oppression. Navratri reminds us that every woman carries the same power within her-the power to nurture, transform, and resist when needed. 

 

Women in Modern India: Progress and Paradox

Across India, women are breaking barriers- leading business, excelling in science, representing the nation in sports and shaping politics.

Yet challenges remain:

• Workplace discrimination and pay gaps continue.
• Crimes against women are disturbingly frequent.
• Social norms still restrict women’s choices in many areas.
• Safety and dignity remain constant concerns 

The paradox is striking- We worship goddesses in templates, but often fail to honor women in real life.

 

Women Empowerment Through Law

To bridge this gap India has introduced several laws that safeguard and uplift women:

• The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 - Ensures equal pay for equal work, regardless of gender.
• The Maternity Benefit Act, 1976 (Amended in 2017): provides maternity leave and workplace rights to mothers.
• The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act) - protects women against harassment at work. 
• The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005- gives women legal remedies against domestic abuse.
• The Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005- grants daughters equal rights in ancestral property.
• The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006- prevents early marriages that limit girls futures.
• The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961- criminalizes the giving and taking of dowry.

 

Turning Rituals into Reality

 

If Navratri truly celebrates feminine power its essence must extend beyond worship:

• Stand up against injustice as Goddess Durga defeats evil
• Break barriers in education, careers and society- just as Navratri Encourages self-expression and leadership in public celebration.
• Fight stereotypes and achieve equality not just symbolically but through actionable laws and support systems.
• Encourage women leaders in every sphere of decision making.

 

And most important:

 

“Let the devotion shown to the Goddess during Navratri inspire you to uplift and respect the incredible strength and resilience in every woman, transforming your actions and attitudes beyond the festival itself"

 

A Thought to Carry Forward

 

When Navratri ends, idols are immersed and decorations are taken down. But should the spirit of shakti also fade away until next year?

Here’s the Puzzle:

We fold hands before Durga in temples, but do we extend the same respect to the woman working besides us? Travelling next to us, or living with us at home?

Until society begins to treat women with the dignity equal to the goddess we worship, Navratri will remain a festival of rituals- not transformation.

 

So this year, instead of asking “ How grand was your Navratri celebration? Let's ask - Which woman did you empower today?”

 

Go!