Empowerment to me is to help other women to defy gender norms. I believe you can't make women empowered, rather you can help them to take control and responsibility for their own lives. Shouldn't that make them empowered, asks Dr N Vijayalakshmi, IAS, Principal Secretary, Sugarcane Industries Department, Government of Bihar, in an exclusive interview with Naina Jha of Bureaucrats India. Here are excerpts: 

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

In simple terms, it is an opportunity to celebrate the lives of women. It is a day to think, ponder, understand and celebrate the struggles of those women and may be some men who are instrumental in bringing about gender equality into the mainstream in the modern day India. It is also a day to not only celebrate our achievements collectively but also rededicate ourselves for gender equality and equity.

Share your journey as a woman bureaucrat. What have been some of the most exciting moments.

It’s been 25 years ever since I joined this coveted Indian administrative service and the journey so far has been satisfactory. Whatever the post I was given, I did up to my satisfaction and could turn around, leave a mark, create a change, make a difference, set new records earn a good name for the sector and the State. During my initial years as a young officer working in the districts, sI could work on issues related to women empowerment and child labour which were unheard of at that time. People still remember me in those districts is a testimony to the goodwill earned through the good work. The people of Nawada district treat me as their own daughter, which is again earned through hard work and a
reputation of a people’s friendly officer.

Turning around Animal husbandry and fisheries department, making the State self-sustainable in Fisheries production and innumerable initiatives taken for the growth of the sector in husbandry practices, Poultry, Goatry, strengthening of the department by recruiting veterinarians, setting up of the first Animal Sciences University, the list is endless. The contribution of the sector to the GSDP is again a testimony of the hard work put in by me and my team. Likewise, many path breaking initiatives were taken for women’s empowerment be it as Jeevika CEO, MD of Women Development Corporation, Principal Secretary, Animal husbandry and Fisheries as Agriculture Secretary etc. Whenever and wherever there was a scope to do something for women I did and got national and International recognition for the work.

How easy or difficult was it for you to manage your work and home? Did you ever have a regret for not giving ample time to your children and family?

It is not at all easy managing both but to quote Indra Nooyi, one has to develop support systems and coping mechanisms especially when children are in the growing age. Both (my husband who is also an IAS officer and myself) of us are workaholics so it was more work and less life for us but you have to think and commit yourself that your work is providing “life” somewhere to somebody/impacting in thousands and sometimes in millions. We have kept a small family size so that we don’t get entangled too much in family obligations.

Where do you think you feel empowered or disempowered in your own story as a woman and as a bureaucrat?

There are many occasions. I have always been a very good student throughout my life. So all those movements when I came first in class, exams, events, competitions both big and small I felt empowered. Getting in to the IAS coming from a small town background itself is a big leap. Getting a Ph D degree while working in GoI without taking a study leave and as a mother to a young child from the prestigious IIT Delhi was a great achievement and result of hard work and determination. I have recently acquired an advanced public policy degree from ISB Hyderabad with sheer dedication and hard work. As an officer I work very hard and achieve results wherever I am posted. Learning and performing Bharatanatyam at this age amid so many responsibilities is also a thing to cherish. One feels disempowered many times but one has to keep up high spirits to be able to lead from the front and provide leadership.

What challenges and privileges do women bureaucrats face, based on gender?

There are many challenges but I don’t think there are any privileges. Women officers don’t want/need any privileges just because they are women. They are as good or as bad as any
other officer. But the hardworking ones have to work twice hard and all the time one has to prove oneself because of the patriarchal mindset in the environment. It is difficult for women officers to network and make friends in the male dominated world hence they can’t lobby for important positions which their male counterparts do with ease and get them.

Bihar represents one of the finest stories of women empowerment. How has been your journey as a bureaucrat and how have you contributed to this saga of women power?

Bihar has taken some important decisions for women empowerment like 50 per cent reservations for women in Panchayats, 35 per cent reservations for women in the police constabulary, some schemes for the education/empowerment of the girls, States patronage and continuous support for Self-help groups etc. I have contributed immensely whenever I got the opportunity as CEO Jeevika, MD WDC and in various other positions. Ran a huge campaign on prohibition of Child marriage and dowry, domestic violence, campaign on women’s and child rights, setting up of helplines and one stop centers, gender resource center, conducted national and international conferences on issues related to women’s empowerment, etc.

Do you agree there are some myths around women bureaucrats and why do you think those need to be challenged?

I don’t think there are any.

What does the idea of being empowered mean to you?

It has different meanings at different levels for women facing different realities. Educated and highly placed women also face discrimination and harassment. (The recent case of Tamilnadu IPS officer facing sexual harassment at work place is a case in point). Women should feel that there is equality of opportunity, a sense of fairness and justice, a level of confidence that their problems and issues will be heard and get important positions and opportunities to excel and contribute. In a nutshell they need a level playing field at par with men as equal citizens of the country.

You have been always vocal about women’s rights. Which women’s cause needs to be addressed first?

Getting equal opportunities.

What is your message to young women aspirants and officers on International women’s day?

Arise, awake and stop not until the goal is achieved!