ISSN (Print) - 0012-9976 | ISSN (Online) - 2349-8846

Women's EmpowermentSubscribe to Women's Empowerment

Women’s Farm Employment, Decision-making and Sources of Irrigation

Irrigation is one of the chief determinants of crop yields and sustainable agriculture. However, two surveys conducted among farmers and women in two regions of Uttar Pradesh highlight how irrigation sources impact women’s lives. The results reveal that the expansion of less important/used irrigation sources and water purchase have a positive impact on women’s participation in economic activities and empowerment. Thus, policies can be designed to improve the lesser-used irrigation sources, which, in turn, can contribute to women’s empowerment.

Financial Inclusion of Female Sex Workers

The clandestine nature of sex work and the stigma surrounding it restricts access to and utilisation of financial services by female sex workers, and makes it more difficult for policymakers to design appropriate programmes for their empowerment. An examination of the factors that contribute to the utilisation of financial services focused on FSWs reveals that there is an urgent need to strengthen linkages with formal banking institutions for the financial inclusion and empowerment of FSWs.

Perspectives for a Grassroots Feminist Theory

While the influence of western social theory has been palpable in the way social sciences, including women's studies, have been conceptualised and taught in India, it has also provoked a justifiably defensive reaction in certain instances. Theories and paradigms from the west may prove completely alienated from actual experiences of women at the grassroots. This criticism has often taken on an anti-west culture bashing, a growing tendency to question the 'Indian-ness' of the women's movement here or has led to ineffectual attempts to develop an alternative perspective based wholly on indigenous categories of thought. This paper is an attempt to analyse the presuppositions that define the need for a 'grassroots feminist theory'.

Intervening for Empowerment

Building Women’s Capacities: Interventions in Gender Transformations edited by Ranjani K Murthy; Sage, New Delhi, 2001; pp 383, Rs 280.

Participatory Growth and Poverty Reduction

India: Development and Participation by Jean Dreze and Amartya Sen; Oxford University Press, New Delhi, 2002; pp XXVIII + 512, Rs 395.

Women Second in the Land Agenda

This study on two districts of West Bengal focuses on the status of rural women, and their equal right to productive resources, especially land, keeping in view the fact that the implementation and scale of land reform in the state has surpassed that of any other in India. Given the overwhelming desire of the women to be considered as individuals above all other classifications, and for direct ownership of property, to be able to emerge from the shadows of dependence, much needs to be done in the legislative, executive and legal spheres to address the issues pertaining to women's rights.

Undermining Patriarchy, Empowering Women

Bangladeshi Women Workers and Labour Market Decisions – The Power to Choose by Naila Kabeer; Vistaar Publications, New Delhi, 2001; pp 464 , Rs 575 (hardback).

The Budget: A Quick Look through a 'Gender Lens'

This paper examines the union budget 2001-2002 with a focus on its implications for women's empowerment. Changes in patterns of allocations to various women-specific schemes as well as to schemes of indirect benefit to women have been analysed. This preliminary analysis suggests that the standard perception of women's roles continues to be as mothers and caregivers, and has undergone little change. Investment priorities seem to reinforce this image, and do not reflect a commitment to women's empowerment.

Voices of Significant "Other"

Women’s Empowerment and Demographic Processes edited by Harriet Presser and Gita Sen; Oxford University Press, 2000; Rs 575, pp 426, hardcover.

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