Rural development in India is a multifaceted and complex challenge that mandates active engagement of multiple stakeholders. Among these, women are key catalysts of economic and development agenda whose role can neither be ignored nor underestimated. It becomes imperative to account for their contribution to the rural transformation. This article explores the vital role of women in rural development, highlighting their impact on agriculture, entrepreneurship, healthcare, education, and community building. The rural economy in India constitutes a significant proportion of India’s National Income, hence locating the need and role of women in rural development warrants analysis.
The rural women in India constitute a sizeable population. In India, Agriculture employs about 80% of rural women. Most rural women are engaged in the unorganized sector, agriculture and allied activities.
Agriculture and Food Security
In rural areas, women are the backbone of agriculture. They plant the seeds, nurture the crops, tend to livestock and ensure food security for their families and communities. In fact, they maintain the vitality of rural economies. India is an agrarian economy with about 54.6% of the total workforce engaged in agricultural and allied sector activities (Census 2011). One of the most significant areas where women have made their mark in rural development is agriculture and the allied sector. The workforce participation rate for rural females is significantly higher at 41.8% than urban women’s participation rate of 35.31% as per the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI, 2017).
There is heavy feminization of agriculture in India. In fact, out of the 135 crore population of India, 65.13% live in the rural setups and women constitute 48% of the total rural population. 74.8% of women are agricultural workers and 81.3% of the female workforce in India belongs to rural women, but women account for only 19.9% of the total labour force as per World Bank Data (2020). A recent report by “The Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy” reveals that the labour participation rate of rural women was only 9.92% in March 2022 as compared to 67.24% for men. Despite all this women are contributing immensely to the agriculture sector from sowing seeds, and supporting family income to food security, rural women actively participate in rural development.
In Kashmir, the dairy industry is growing and seen as a remunerative option. Pulwama district has emerged as the Anand of Kashmir with diary cooperatives run by women. With 8.5 lakh litres of milk supplied to 40 collection centres daily, Pulwama is the leading producer of milk in the valley. The self-help groups and women’s cooperative societies have turned the milk business into a successful venture. Shahzada Akther, a female hailing from the remote village of Mitrigam of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district owns the biggest dairy farms in Kashmir. She is popularly called the dairy queen of Kashmir. Their Self-help Group named ‘Chandani’ has improved the lives of hundreds of women in villages and empowered them economically.
Entrepreneurship and Livelihood
In rural India, the feudalistic constraints still loom large. However, the mindset of women has undergone social and psychological transformation. Women’s entrepreneurial activities cut across various sectors, which include handicrafts, dairy farming, self-help groups and tailoring. This ensures infusion of income not only improves their individual livelihood but also promotes their overall economic growth. Hence, these sectors serve as the key drivers of local economic development. Furthermore, microfinance institutions and government schemes have played an instrumental role in facilitating the decentralized economic growth in rural households. In rural India women most often is engaged in creating handicrafts and artisanal products. For instance, the famous The Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) in Gujarat is worth quoting. SEWA empowers women by providing a platform to sell their handmade textiles, embroidery, and traditional crafts.
In the same jugular vein women in rural areas are not only modifying their existing economic situation but are also becoming agents of growth in rural development. In Tamil Nadu, the “Pudhu Vaazhvu” program supports women in setting up small businesses. This program supports them in for instance pickle making, garment manufacturing and other stuff, which enables them to generate more income and improve their livelihood and of their families. These initiatives have led to the creation of jobs, improved household income, and reduced poverty levels in rural areas.
Healthcare and Well-being
Rural India has often been neglected in healthcare facilities. However, generally, we see women often take on the role of caregivers and health educators within their communities. Their engagement in healthcare initiatives, for instance in maternal and child health, has led to significant improvements in overall well-being. Female health workers, known as Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), play a critical role in providing essential healthcare services, conducting health awareness campaigns, and promoting hygiene and sanitation practices. This involvement has resulted in reduced maternal mortality rates and better child health outcomes. ASHAs like Phulmati Devi in Bihar have made significant contributions to rural healthcare.
Nongovernmental organizations have also transformed the rural stories by reaching out to them. Women leaders in organizations like the Naandi Foundation have launched innovative nutrition programs in rural areas. These initiatives aim to combat malnutrition and improve the overall health of women and children. Such initiatives have really shown a visible impact on the ground.
Jan Swasthya Sahyog (JSS), a non-profit organization based in tribal areas of Chhattisgarh, aims at developing and promoting low-cost, high-quality health solutions for vulnerable people in Chhattisgarh including rural Bilaspur. Undernutrition in rural Chhattisgarh is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity. Hence under the JSS, a new programme was launched known as “Phulwari” which is aimed to provide crèche facility to all children aged between 6 months to 3 years dwelling in any of the 54 programme villages under the JSS scheme. Nutritional Food is provided to them to ensure their good health. These creches are run by women selected by their local community. Hence, local women become empowered health worker, who is trained and provides healthcare services, which has a multiplier effect in promoting well-being in underserved regions. With women being the front runners in rural development in the rural health sector, other critical measures like health education are also given primacy.
Education and Empowerment
Education is a powerful tool for women’s empowerment. Rural women are asserting slowly for the education of their daughters gradually. Women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs) have played a crucial role in promoting female literacy in rural areas. By gaining access to education and information, women are better equipped to make informed decisions about their lives, families, and communities. Their employability and entrepreneurial abilities are also improved by education, creating new chances. In fact with digital literacy, Women from villages like Dharnai in Bihar have started online businesses, selling handmade products and agricultural produce through e-commerce platforms.
Similarly, Kudumbashree a women’s self-help group program in Kerala is led by women leaders. It has empowered millions of women by providing training and financial support for various income-generating activities, including agriculture, handicrafts, and microenterprises. Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) is a well-known name today. It has empowered millions of poor across India. SEWA focuses on education, skill development, and advocacy to improve the livelihoods and status of rural women.
Community Building and Social Change
Women in rural India foster community cohesion and initiate social change. They are often at the forefront of community-based organizations, participating in local governance, and advocating for their rights. These efforts have led to increased gender equality, improved access to resources, and the empowerment of marginalized groups within rural communities. Women’s active involvement in village-level decision-making processes has brought about positive changes in areas such as water management, sanitation, and infrastructure development.
Many rural women in India lead community development initiatives. For instance, Chetna Organic, founded by rural women in Maharashtra, promotes organic farming practices, improving farmers’ livelihoods and the environment. Within community development, enabling people with skill development is a priority. For instance, the Mahila Shakti Kendras in Jharkhand offers training in stitching, weaving, and handicrafts, making women become skilled entrepreneurs. Furthermore, rural women have also founded social enterprises. The “Sulabh International” organization in rural areas of India is led by women who have pioneered sanitation solutions, improving hygiene and livelihoods.
Challenges and the Way Forward
Despite their significant contributions, women in rural India still face numerous challenges, including limited access to resources, inadequate healthcare access, technology gaps, unequal power dynamics, access to training and resources, and social norms that restrict their mobility and opportunities. Further cultural and societal norms often restrict women’s opportunities and roles in rural areas. Gender-based violence, unequal workload distribution, and lack of decision-making power further perpetuate inequality.
There is a functional lack of representation when it comes to women in rural development. Formally women’s representation is ensured however, women’s underrepresentation in local governance and decision-making bodies results in policies and projects that do not adequately address their needs.
To harness their full potential in rural development, it is essential to address these barriers through targeted policies and initiatives. Providing access to education, healthcare, financial services, and skill development programs can empower women and unlock their potential as change agents in rural India. As we look forward to a more equitable future, we must prioritize the implementation of gender-sensitive policies that promote women’s empowerment in rural development. Education reforms, economic incentives, and measures to combat gender-based violence are all crucial aspects of policy recommendations. We must advocate for and support these policies to foster sustainable rural development and gender equality.
Conclusion
Women in rural India are not just beneficiaries of development; they are active agents of change. Their multifaceted contributions span agriculture, entrepreneurship, healthcare, education, and community building, creating a ripple effect that positively impacts entire villages and regions. Recognizing and nurturing the vital role of women in rural development is essential for achieving sustainable and inclusive growth in India’s rural areas. Empowering rural women is not just a matter of gender equality; it is a strategic imperative for the nation’s progress. To attain the trillion-dollar economy mark, it will be a grave mistake if we do not capitalize on this large chunk of our demographic dividend for further rural development.
References
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https://www.jssbilaspur.org/all-project-list/phulwari-creches/
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