Women Empowerment and Economic Development: A Case Study of Rural Bengal

  • Dr. Ranjit Kr. Ghosh

Abstract

Women's empowerment and economic development are closely related in our modern society: in one direction, development alone can play a major role in driving down inequality between men and women in the society; in the other direction, empowering women may accelerate the process of economic development of their own family and also of the society through their knowledge and expertise. The empowered women can act as the vehicle in the way to rapid economic development. In this way, the hindrances, both human and natural resources, of actual development process in the developing regions or areas can be overcome through the active participation of both men and women and the so called vicious circle in the developing regions or areas can be converted into virtuous circle. In Indian society, from the very primitive age, women are the backbone for all round economic development and they act as the important human resource in an agrarian rural economy for maximum and careful utilization of rural natural resources in a sustainable manner. They used to play a multi-dimensional role in the development process of the country, especially of the rural India. Besides their household activities and child caring works at home they make essential contributions to the agriculture and allied activities and pursue multiple livelihood strategies. Findings reveal that men always want their dominancy and so they are not willing to empower women. But in practice, both men and women should work together in the family and also in the society to bring prosperity at the desired levels. Women must raise voice for their rights and they should be self-confident. Empowering of women is essential not only for the all round development of the economy but also for the peace and stability within the economy.

Published
2019-11-21
Section
Articles