Issues and Challenges of young female empowerment and social mobility: Special reference to Indian and Sri Lankan undergraduates

This study has been conducted in order to identify the women issues and challenges for women in 21st empowerment century in India and Sri Lanka, for social mobility. Therefore, the present study had two main research objectives such as to identify the threats and challenges faced by young women for their educational development in socio- cultural contexts of both countries and to identify the threats and challenges face by young women from their family circle social mobility. This is qualitative research. The data has been collected from young female undergraduates from both countries. The data gathered through focus group discussed. Three focus group discussions conducted from each country with including 10 participants in one group. The focus group formed as per purposive sampling strategy. The participants are from government universities in both countries. The undergraduate students are basically coming from middle/lower income families. The present study indicated common issues and challenges. Therefore, limiting the freedom mentally and physically from the family, gender-based discriminations, stereotype thinking of women role in family, female to female judgment and lack of support among women social bullying for out of frame thinking were identified as common issues and challenges for women in both countries. Further specially Sri Lankan focus group mentioned that less guidance for career development in Sri Lankan females and specially for Indian female it was the family pressure for marriage. Therefore, the study identified family support and good communication with daughters. That they will be empowered and identify themselves more positively.

Keywords: Women Empowerment, Social mobility, Young Female