Women in Agriculture

Lesson 39 : Empowerment of Women –Concept & Indicators

Introduction

Since time immemorial, women have played, and continue to play, a key role in conservation of basic life support system, such as, land, water, flora and fauna. Rural women play a crucial role in agricultural development and allied fields, including crop production, livestock production, horticulture, post-harvest operations, fisheries, etc. Without total intellectual and physical participation of women, it is not possible to achieve the goals of rural uplift. In spite of all this, it is unfortunate that because of centuries of inertia, ignorance and conservatism, actual and potential role of women in the society has been ignored, preventing them from making their rightful contribution to social progress.

The Government of India has made Empowerment of Women as one of the principal objectives of the Ninth Five Year Plan (1997 – 2002) and also declared 2001 as the year of ‘Women’s Empowerment’.