Women's participation, empowerment and gender equality: A micro analysis

This article analyzed the outdoor participation potential of women; the process of women's empowerment; and the interrelationships of women participation, empowerment, gender equality and their functional dependency on age, education, income and caste. A sample of 90 grassroots level women workers were selected from Gilaula block of Sravasti district, Uttar Pradesh, of whom 35 were Community Based Distributors (CBDs), 35 were Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and 20 were Women Pradhans (WPs). It was found that 60% of the sample was in the age group of 25-45 years, 22% were below 25 years and 17.7% were above 45 years. 72% women were educated till primary and intermediate level, 7.8% were graduates, 3.3% post graduates and 8.9% were illiterates. 80% WPs and all the sampled CBDs and AWWs had very limited income. Data showed that the CBDs were more articulate, mobile, active, and sent their children to schools. The AWWs were very vocal and authoritative. they participated effectively in decision making regarding income expenditure, children's education, family planning, etc. It was revealed that women in the 25-45 age group were more participative, vocal and active than women below 25 years and above 45 years of age. The CBDs and AWWs were equally participative whether they had higher or lower education. All the sampled WPs were illiterate, and low caste WPs who had limited income, wanted to overcome their illiteracy, by undergoing training and actively participating in outdoor political and economic activities. It was suggested that there is a need to provide empowerment training to all voluntary workers and local leaders. A strategy should be formed so that more and more women can be involved in outdoor activities, particularly those women who want to work, are educated and belong to low income, and low caste category.