DOI: 10.36347/sjahss.2014.v02i02.024

Pages: 275-277

Women’s Studies is an academic discipline, which has its own identity and autonomous existence. It has over a period of time developed its own theories based on feminist concepts and evolved its own methodology distinguished from the various precepts and methodology adopted by “mainstream” disciplines. Various theories and approaches have emerged over a period to bring about the advancement of women. The most recent of those has been empowerment approach- that unless the women get the opportunity to make the decisions for themselves and others, their advancement will not come about. But there is limitation of this approach. Gender is not a monolithic construct. Gender can not be seen exclusively as culturally, linguistically or politically constructed. Individual psychological process constructs gender for the individual. Gender is inevitably personal as well as cultural. If the psychological conditioning of the women does not undergo change, empowerment of women in true sense is not going to happen in the society.