New Delhi: A survey conducted by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) linked organisations on the status of Indian women, has found that over 90 per cent of women living as hermits and have no income, are the happiest. The findings of this report will be officially released by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in Delhi today.
The survey, conducted in 2017-18 through Pune-based research centre Drishti Stree Adhyayan Prabodhan Kendra (DSAPK), is based on interviews held with 43,255 women over the age of 18, across five regions, 29 states, five union territories and 465 districts. It also includes women from all major religions in the country and is based on various parameters such as education, employment, health and nutrition.
The study found that nearly 80 per cent of the respondents expressed “very high” and “high” levels of happiness and well-being, the happiest of whom are from the spiritual fields.
It also found that most married women are happy while those in live-in relationships are amongst the unhappiest of the lot.
According to the survey, over 90 per cent of the respondents who don’t have a family or income, possess high levels of happiness. The lowest per cent of women to express these levels of happiness are those who have a family income of less than Rs 10,000, showing that family income has no influence on the level of happiness and well-being.
The study found that female literacy rate has increased to 79.63 per cent compared to the 2011 Census findings of 64.63 per cent.
“Though there is an increase in the literacy rate, few of them managed to achieve the level of education above graduation. Illiteracy rate is observed more among ST women followed SC and Special Backward Class. The reservation policy and educational support have helped them attain higher level of education,” the report reads. Happiness and well-being levels were almost identical across various educational categories.
Another major finding of the survey was that two-thirds of the women were not able to think of an area of interest. The study has speculated that the pressure of household chores, performing multiple roles along and a prevailing traditional mindset restricts them from considering their passions. Over one-fourth of the respondents said that they did not have leisure time.
