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 Chapter - 6
Women Empowerment a Means for Social
Change

Authors
Sahana S
Assistant Professor of Agril. Extension, College of
Agriculture, UAHS, Shivamogga, Karnataka, India
Kiran Kumar R. Patiel
Assistant Professor of Agril. Economics, College of
Agriculture, UAHS, Shivamogga, Karnataka, India

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Page | 100
 Chapter - 6
Women Empowerment a Means for Social Change
Sahana S and Kiran Kumar R. Patiel

Abstract
Women are backbone of the family, any change in society should be
initiated with empowerment of the women. Women are said to be
empowered when she gains complete control over decision making, have a
say & being listened to, able to influence social choices and decisions
affecting the entire society. The factors which are influencing for social
change are demographic factors, biological factors, technical factors,
Psychological factors, cultural factors and environmental factors. These
factors should be considered individual or collectively for empowering
women to bring social change. Social change could be observed through
empowerment in case of decision making, freedom of mobility, getting
educated, becoming independent, media exposure and reducing domestic
violence. Empowerment is a holistic process which encompassing personal
empowerment, ethical, social, situational, economic, political, psychological
and cultural Empowerment. Constructive effort has been made to uplift the
women folk to bring about social change in turn to achieve development.
The import once is providing microfinance to Self Help Groups (SHGs) in
the form of micro-savings, microcredit and micro insurance. It is holistic in
approach encompassing microcredit, savings, insurance, technical guidance
on marketing and capacity building. NGOs and SHGs are the key players in
the field of microfinance. The major clients of microfinance are landless
laborers, self-employees in rural & urban areas and women. One more
important effort is entrepreneurship development by encouraging women to
take up some income-generating activity based on their interest and resource
availability. Empowerment of women through entrepreneurship development
has become an integral part of development as it could help in achieving
women development, economic growth and social sustainability. Women are
becoming more empowered, personally and economically through business
ownership. This empowerment consequently results in desired social change
by reducing gender inequality which further has a bearing in increasing work

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efficiency. Thus women empowerment can be considered as one of the way
through which desired social change can be witnessed.
Keywords: Empowerment, entrepreneurship, social change, self
employment
Introduction
Empowerment is a process of positive change which improves women’s
fall position and bargaining power in a Patriarchal structure. It could be
regarded as a process of awareness and capacity building leading to greater
participation, decision making and control. It can be either on individual or
collective mode. Women are said to be empowered when she gains complete
control over decision making, have a say & being listened to, able to
influence social choices and decisions affecting the entire society. There are
six domains in which traditional subordination of women needs to be
removed and in which empowerment of women should take place, they are
of self and vision of a future, mobility & visibility, ability to earn a living,
decision making power within the household, ability to interact in public
sphere and participation in nonfamily groups.
Women Empowerment is a process whereby women become able to
organise themselves to increase their self-reliance, assert their independent
rights to make choices and control resources which will assist in challenging
and eliminating their subordination. If we fail to recognise woman power
while restructuring the communities, we cannot achieve sustainable
development. Encouraging women to discuss their issues, participate in the
development process, taking decisions in their own and community life is
crucial. Self-initiating actions are a clear sign of empowerment (Yelne,
2002).
Framework of empowerment: Women’s development can be viewed
at five levels (UNICEF, 1993).
1) Welfare: It addresses the basic needs of women without giving due
consideration for underlying structural causes.
2) Access: It indicates equality in terms of access to resources, for
example, educational opportunities, access to credit, land ownership
etc.
3) Conscientisation: In this stage, women take appropriate actions to
reduce gender inequalities, and gaps resulted out of structural and
institutional causes.

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 4) Participation: Though women are equally involved in decision
making due to lack of mobility, she could not influence the
activities as desired. Hence, mobility (freedom to participate) is
indispensable at this stage. The collective behaviour and organised
efforts give a proper representation of women, a signal of
empowerment.
5) Control: It is the final stage of empowerment where she strikes a
balance in terms of power to make a decision over her life and life
of her children, plays a crucial role in the overall development of
the family, influences decision of others, gets recognition and
rewards.
Social change: Change refers to any deviation from the accepted way of
living. Social change is the change in society at large. Society is defined by
MacIver a web of social relationships. Change which has occurred in social
relationships is social change. Thus, modifications taking place in the mutual
behaviour of individuals is the sign of social change. It is dynamic in a sense
it changes over the time period. It can occur in two ways, i.e. nature and
direction. Nature of change stands for change in the content and direction
stands for line in which it is moving positive/ negative or favourable/
unfavourable. (Kamalesh Singh 2008).
Factors of social change
1) Demographic factors: It is all about the characteristics of
population. Men dominated against women due to physical
potentialities and mental ability. This dominance can be reduced
through women empowerment.
2) Biological factors: Rapid population growth has influenced the
environment and resulted in poverty, food, shortage and multiple
health ailments. It has paved the way for the migration of rural
people and urbanisation having a bearing on the quality of life. This
could be handled by creating awareness among women about
family planning and avenues available in front of her to empower
herself economically.
3) Cultural factors: Faith, value, religion, philosophy, etc., are the
cultural factors restricting women to empower herself. The cultural
diffusion can cause social change such as discarding sati system,
child marriage, etc., on empowering the women.
4) Technological factor: technological advancement is a dynamic
process. Women should be empowered to update themselves with
technological advancements to avoid her from becoming absolute.

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 5) Environmental factor: Natural leads to demographic imbalance
and in turn, to social change. During this critical period for survival,
we must give equal opportunity for both the genders without any
barriers to achieve sustainability.
6) Psychological factors: Personal mindset, attitude, way of thinking,
etc., leads to greater social change. Usually, in Indian society,
women always treated as inferior. Sometimes there is a need to
change the mindset of both the gender to achieve development. It
could be achieved through empowerment programmes.
These social factors are hindering women participation in society.
Women are key agents of social change as well, and because of social
change, there is a tremendous change in the lives of women. Freedom for
India’s women means freedom for India to create a new future. An overall
development of society in specific and nation in general needs recognition to
the contribution of women. World Bank report on the positive effects of
educating women indicates that female education would help in reducing
infant and child mortality rate. Equality of women means progress for all.
These changes in society could be achieved through empowerment along
with up-gradation of the country from developing to a developed country.
Women play a vital role in the development of the family as well as a
society where she lives. She can regarded as a catalyst in the overall
development of the family. In the present day, women involvement in all the
sectors is apparent. It is a positive sign from the viewpoint of economic
growth. Considering the importance, women have in the present world; she
should aspire for empowering herself. She has got several avenues through
which she can empower herself, thereby empowerment of family and society
takes place. The present chapter deals with the need for women
empowerment and how it can cause social change.
Dimensions of women empowerment
Women empowerment is a comprehensive and holistic process
encompassing several dimensions viz.,
1) Personal empowerment: It refers to the self-development of an
individual. It is possible through personality development. She
should have an urge, dedication and dictum with which she
explores, gain knowledge, gain identity, enhances talent, improves
potential, changes lifestyle, realises dream, achieve aspirations and
finally result in personality development.

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2) Ethical empowerment: Socially accepted way of
living/performing economic activities is a must. In order to do the
same, rules, principles, values are established. The success of an
individual in any economic activities largely depends on his/her
ethical and moral conduct.
3) Situational empowerment: Women get empowered based on the
situation in which she is living maybe her family background,
surrounding environment, family support to take up any activities
etc. Along with this cultural and social factors also influence on
situational empowerment of women.
4) Social empowerment: Once individual develops personally they
should aim at development of society where they live in through
collective behaviour. This indicates the individual’s ability to
influence the decision making of other individuals in the society. It
could be regarded as prime move in overall development of society
for which they get recognitions and rewards. Social development is
possible only when all the citizens of the society have equal
opportunities, scope for quality living, balanced regional
development, access to education and access to quality health
services and nutritive food. It will be regarded as social
empowerment.

5) Economic empowerment: Right to economic resources and power

to make decisions that benefit themselves, their families and their
communities in achieving economic development indicates
economic empowerment. To succeed and advance economically,
women need the skills, access to resources to compete in markets
and fair financial institutions. Women continue to earn on an
average only 60 to 75% of what men earn. Women need to have the
ability to make decisions, act on it and control over resources and
profits.

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 The stages of economic development depicted below

6) Political empowerment: Gender equality and women's

empowerment are both human rights and are necessary for
achieving comprehensive, unbiased, and sustainable development.
Women need to actively participate in government and politics to
maintain democracy. Global statistics clearly show that women are
under-represented as leaders, elected officials, and voters due to
cultural and social norms, which limit their participation in the
political process.
7) Psychological empowerment: The psychological component
includes the "development of feelings that women can act upon to
improve their condition. The psychological empowerment is a blend
of self-esteem, self-efficacy, self-determination, self-confidence,
self-awareness, positive thinking which ultimately result in well-
being and happiness of women.
8) Cultural empowerment: Patriarchal society, traditional practices
and customs restricted women to reach limelight. Traditional values
and traditions are interfering and limiting the development of their
personality. They have started protesting against traditional values
and are trying to break through the old values. Equal cultural rights
for women help her to come out of subordination.
Need for women empowerment
Women empowerment is a process of marginalizing power in women
and girl so that they can play a significant role in the society, they just need a
little help to raise their voices against oppression, female foeticide, rapes,
dowry, gender equality.

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 Women empowerment approaches: There is a need to bring the
contribution of women to limelight through gender mainstreaming as it is
masked due to male dominance. Gender mainstreaming involves bringing
the contribution, perspectives and priorities of both women and men to the
centre of attention in the development arena to inform the design,
implementation and outcomes of policies and programs. It is a critical
strategy not only in the pursuit of gender equality but also in developmental
goals in terms of economics. Empowerment of women could be achieved
through several means, the important once are,
1. Microfinancing through Self Help Groups (SHGs)
Microfinance refers to the provision of financial service to the poor. It
will be in the form of micro-savings, microcredit and micro insurance. It is
holistic in approach encompassing microcredit, savings, insurance, technical
guidance on marketing and capacity building. NGOs and SHGs are the key
players in the field of microfinance. The major clients of microfinance are
landless labourers, self-employees in rural & urban areas and women. Group
lending/ solidarity lending is a common practice in microfinance. Micro
financial institutions always lend to small groups of people who voluntarily
come together to borrow money & ensure its repayment in stipulated time.
The role of SHGs in the microfinance arena to empower women is
prominent. SHGs are group of 10-20 people coming together from same
socio economic background to solve common socio-economic problems or
for performing developmental activities. The main function of SHG is to
inculcate the habit of thrift/savings among members of the group, to arrange
for internal lending and to resolve socio-economic problems through regular
discussions. It involves formation of group, capital formation and
performance of economic activity. There are different SHG models operating
in India they are SHG farmed & financed by banks, SHG formed by formal

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agencies other than banks (NGOs and others) but directly financed by banks
and SHG formed by banks using NGO’s as financial intermediaries.
NABARD has played crucial role in the development of SHG. In order to
strengthen financially the SHGs, NABARD has initiated bank linkage
programme. SHGs should have to satisfy several criteria to be eligible for
bank linkage. SHGs which follow panchsutras such as conduct of regular
group meeting, internal lending based on the demand of member, timely
repayment of loan and maintenance of proper books of accounts are
considered to be of good quality and over years they have proved themselves
as prompt customers of banks. SHGs are eligible for credit linkage only if
they secure score of more than 12 considering various parameters;
Criteria Category Score Criteria Category Score
members
Residents of same
13 -20 2 belong to same 1
Number of neighbourhood
Village
members
Once in every
10 -12 1 3
weak
Same Economic Once in 15
2 Group Meetings 2
Composition of Status days
Group Different Once in a
1 1
Economic month
>90% 3 Savings (% of >90% 3
Attendance of
75% - 90% 2 members saving 75% - 90% 2
Members
60% - 74% 1 regulating) 60% -74% 1
Internal Taking place
2 > 90% 1
Lending among members Repayment of
Maintenance of Regular internal loans
1 70-90% 2
records Maintenance
Source: NABARD.
SHG bank linkage is considered as the better strategy for attaining the
objective of financial inclusion. Through SHGs, women can avail loan which
can be used for performing income-generating activities like agriculture,
dairying, tailoring etc., loan can be used for debt swapping and for meeting
their personal obligations. Around 63 lakh SHGs which are women based are
working in India. As we know that women are the most deprived section of
financial services in the society. SHGs growth over the years indicates the
extent of financial inclusion in India. Providing financial assistance to
women will result in healthy growth of family. It ensures better health of
children, education to children and relieves family from financial
obligations. This microfinance helps women to take up some income-
generating activities.

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 This in turn helps in;
a) Full filling family requirement: They could become primary
bread earner for their families, enabling their children to attend
school and providing a safe home for their families.
b) Employment generation: Minimum financial support helps in
providing goods and services to their communities and build assets
for their own families. They also generate jobs for others in their
communities by starting enterprise and pay living wages for others
in the community.
c) Empowerment: Microfinance and the financial independence
empower the women in society in leading to social change. Women
gain self-confidence and take pride in their small businesses. They
gain a voice among their peers and become advocates for other
women in their communities.
Case study of “SHARADA” self help groups
To demonstrate the role of SHGs in empowering women, a case study of
“Sharada Self Help Groups” formed by 10 members of Hoysanalli Village of
Bhadravathi taluk of Shivamogga district is considered and explained below
Personal and psychological empowerment and situational empowerment
In the year 2000, Agricultural department officials invoked interests
among women folk of our village to form a group to get financial assistance.
Credit goes to Madam Tulsi, Official of Agricultural department to create
interest about formation of groups among the disinterested minds of women
folk. Though, members were reluctant to form group as they were hesitant
about their self confidence in attainment of this task. Anusuyamma took the
leadership and with great difficulties formed a group of 10 members from
the same village having same social and economic background. The
procedural formalities involved in group formation, purpose of group
formation was detailed in length by Tulsi Madam. The group was named as
Sharada Self help groups.
Economic and Ethical empowerment
As we all know that, the very purpose of SHGs is to inculcate the habit
of thrift among the group members. The saved amount should be further
used for internal lending to meet out their financial requirements either for
undertaking income-generating activities or to clear off social/personal
obligations or to clear off old debts. The so formed group members started
saving Rs. 50/month. After 3 months of formation of group, three members

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in the group were identified and a bank account was opened in group
insisting joint liability. Later the group had an opportunity to undergo
training at DATC, Hallikere for 11 days on various aspects of agriculture.
The group was introduced to vermicomposting. Anusuyamma got interest in
production of vermicompost. Later in the year, the group got financial
support of Rs. 2000 from Agricultural department and they were able to
construct 10 vermicompost pits each of dimension 7’X3’X2’. In order to
have better exposure to production of Vermicomposting she visited the farm
of Dummalli Shivamma known for vermicomposting in Shivamogga district.
She purchased 2000 worms from Shivamma and started vermicomposting on
3 pits of her own. It is considered as an income-generating activity initiated
by the group members. With the pit of above mentioned size she could able
to produce 10qtl of vermicompost per time. Within three months,
vermicompost is ready. She produced vermicompost per pit for three times
in a year. From three pits she could even earn from the sales of worms which
multiplies at an exponential rate. Around 90kgs of worms/ year @ Rs.250/
Kg was sold, which forms an additional returns to Anusuyamma. The other
members of the group too have involved in production of vermicompost but
they limited their productions to one pit. The output obtained from the pit
was sufficient enough to supplement nutrition of their own agricultural land.
The group possessed desired parameters such as 10 members
representing group size, members were draw from same village having same
socio-economic background, members meet monthly four times with more
than 90% of attendance, in case of any member misses, their male
counterpart (husband) used to attend meeting, regular saving @Rs.50/
member/month, internal lending, maintenance of transactions reflecting
transparency, etc. SHG’s as per the guidelines formulated by NABARD to
be eligible for linking with bank was satisfied, SHG was linked with Vijaya
bank, the present Bank of Baroda. In the year 2005, from the bank group got
financial assistance of Rs. 2.5 lakhs with which they purchased 10 milch
Cows, one for each member of the group. It is an additional income
generating component, from the milch cow around 4-5 liters of milk was
obtained and the cow dung obtained was used for vermicomposting. The
excess dung was used for running biogas unit. Agricultural department on
50:50 sharing, @ Rs.6000 arranged for doom gas.
The group members are richly benefitted as they are eligible for credit
through internal lending. Internal lending of Rs.15,000-20,000 per member
on rotation & need-based criteria were be provided. The loan will be
extended to undertake income-generating activities or to dispose off personal

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obligations. Even the group arranges for performing funeral activities of any
family member of the group member dies without interest component. The
loan will be advanced at the rate of interest of 1% per month which has
relieved women folk in the group from the clutches of money lenders who
exorbitantly charge rate of interest (3%-10%). The loan borrowed should
have to be repaid within 6 month to facilitate internal lending to other
member of the group.
In order to have effective bank linkage, prompt repayment of loan
borrowed from bank is Quintessential. Per pressure serves as security in
group lending. The entire group is held responsible for repayment without
due. The SHG based on their savings are eligible for loan of Rs.5 Lakhs.
Loan amount extended to SHGs will be based on magnitude of savings. In
the ratio of 1:4, i.e. 1 of savings and 4 of loan will be advanced. The group
savings hovers around Rs.1,00,000.
Social empowerment
All the members of the group are richly benefited because of SHGs.
They are exposed to line department, state Agricultural universities, financial
institution, public forums. They got an opportunity to visit nooks and corners
of state to get rich practical exposure related to agriculture and allied
activities. They have got their bank accounts, savings, undertook income-
generating activities, cleared off personal obligations, met their social needs,
took enough care of family members in terms of health & education, got a
say in decision making in family, got public recognition, got a say in
persuading other members of the society.
Personal empowerment
Among all the members, Anusuyamma was bit different, she had a urge
to become self-reliant and progressive. She encashed the opportunity come
in her way in the form of SHG. Anusuyamma a progressive women farmer is
the recipient of Best farm women from UAS Banglore during 2005. National
Indian Agricultural Award in 2007 from Mahendra tech limited.
Due to SHG, Anusuyamma got empowered and caused social change.
She has got a say in her family in terms of decision making, She morally
influenced and encouraged other womenfolk in the same village &
neighboring village to form groups and encash its economic & social
benefits. She exhibited her leadership qualities and led her group right from
front as its president and kept it functioning from 2000. She acquired land of
2 acres, constructed house and other necessary farm implements.

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2. Entrepreneurship development
“An enterprise owned and controlled by a women having a minimum
financial interest of 51 per cent of the capital and giving at least 51 per cent
of the employment generated in the enterprise to women". Women constitute
nearly 50 per cent of the population, due to technological development
female folk has started showing interest for achieving individuality. This
could be achieved by encouraging women to take up some income-
generating activity based on their interest and resource availability.
Empowerment of women through entrepreneurship development has become
an integral part of development as it could help in achieving women
development, economic growth and social sustainability. Women are
becoming more empowered, personally and economically through business
ownership. Kamal Singh who is a woman entrepreneur from Rajasthan, has
defined woman entrepreneur as “a confident, innovative and creative woman
capable of achieving self-economic independence individually or in
collaboration, generates employment opportunities for others through
initiating, establishing and running the enterprise by keeping pace with her
personal, family and social life”.
Woman entrepreneurship can lead to a tremendous social change,
making women financially empowered and independent. It increases level of
confidence and happiness in women, as the satisfaction of achievement and
self-sufficiency boost their self-esteem and overall well-being. Once women
get economically empowered, she tends to invest higher amount of her
income into her children's health and education which helps in building a
healthier and educated youths means better future.
Success story of Dummalli Shivamma as an entrepreneur
Dummalli Shivamma is a women entrepreneur known for vermicompost
production in Shivamogga district of Karnataka. She is a farmer having 2
acres of land wherein paddy & Sugar cane were grown. She started
vermicompost production 35 years ago.
Situational empowerment
She got the better insight about vermicompost production during her
visit to UAS, Banglore she met Dr. Radha Kale, a renowned zoologist
working on composting in general and vermicomposting in specific.
Shivamma was aware of organic farming as a solution for sustainable
agriculture. She had faced the brunt of declining productivity in her own
field as well as the Paddy & Sugar Cane field of her neighbouring farmers
due to continuous and indiscriminate application of inorganic fertilisers. The

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only solution which can address this is organic farming. She was fortunate
enough since she met right person during her visit and gained sufficient
technical information regarding vermicomposting. Once she returned to her
native, Mr. Gollar, JDA, Shivamogga provided her opportunity to take up
vermicomposting with a bucket full of worms (African giant species) having
330 worms. With her technical knowledge and available crop residues/
wastes she could able to convert one bucket of worms to ten buckets. She
was surprised with the proliferation rate of African giant species. This
surprise invoked her interest to indulge in vermicomposting in earthen pits.
Personal and Economic empowerment
She started large scale production in earthen pit of dimension 10ft
length, 4ft width and 2ft depth. She fills the pit in layers with FYM, crop
wastes/ residues and cow dung slurry. The pit will be initially filled with 2-3
baskets of fully decomposed farmyard manure each baskets comprising of
40kg of FYM. The next layer will be filled with crop residues finally cow
dung slurry will be applied. Depending on the depth of pit, 2-3 such layers
will be filled. It must have enough moisture (50.00%) hence frequent
sprinkling of water is a prerequisite. Once the filled residues partially
decomposes (takes 1 month), African giant species worms @ 5Kg/pit will be
released. It takes 1½-2 month after the release of worms to pit to become
vermicompost. She could able to harvest 2 tons of vermicompost from the
pit size mentioned above. As the process of vermicomposting takes 2 ½ -3
months, she could perform production of vermicompost for four times from
the same pit in a year. The cost incurred for four times on labour & material
components per pit per year came to Rs.28,040. Labour is required to fill the
pits with different materials in layers, sprinkling water to maintain desired
moisture, releasing of worms, harvest of vermicompost & worms. Materials
required are crop residues (though available on-farm, for the sake of
economics, imputed cost was considered), earthworms, fully decomposed
FYM, cow dung, packing & stitching materials. She could harvest 8 tons @
2 tons/ pit per time in a year. The vermicomposting has got vast demand in
the region hence it is sold at Rs.6000/ ton yielding gross returns of
Rs.48,000. The net returns realised per pit worked out to Rs. 19960. She has
got two pits of same dimension. Thus, the total net returns realised from
production of vermicompost in pits of size 10’X4’X2’ came to Rs.39, 920.
As worms proliferate, she could even reap returns from sale of worms of
100kg per pit per year @ Rs.200/kg amounting to Rs.20,000.
In addition to this, Shivamma takes up production of vermicompost on
commercial scale utilising the space available in Arecanut garden. In

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Arecanut garden she has got land of dimension 300ft length and 15ft width
without any Arecanut palm. This space she has effectively utilised for
manufacturing of vermicomposting. She procures 100 tractor loads of FYM
comprising of 1½-2 tons from neighbouring farmers by paying Rs.3,500/
tractor load inclusive of transportation cost two to three months prior to
sowing reason (Kharif). Her Arecanut garden is full of worms. The so
procured partially decomposed farmyard manure will be spread in the space
available using tractor & labour force. It takes 1½-2 months to convert in to
vermicompost. The areca garden is provided with sprinkler set which takes
care of maintaining required moisture. The expenditure on partially
decomposed FYM came to Rs.3,50,000, labour to harvest vermicompost
sieve, pack, stitch, weigh and load was on contract basis @ Rs.400/ton
worked out to Rs.60,000 at Rs.250/man days and the material cost such as
bags for packing and stitching materials came to Rs.31,750. The total cost
incurred towards production of 150 tons of vermicompost from 100 loads of
FYM came to Rs.4,50,750. Gross returns realised from the sale of 150 tons
of vermicompost @ Rs. 6000/ton and 1250 Kgs of worms @ Rs. 200/kg
worked out to Rs. 11,50,000. The net returns after making provision for cost
of production came to Rs. 6,99,250. This is an indication of entrepreneurial
ability of a 4th standard educated woman.
Social and Psychological empowerment
Dummalli Shivamma is the recipient of many prestigious awards. She
received “Best Sugarcane Grower” award from the former prime minister H
D Devegowda at Vidhansoudha, Banglore. She is the recipient of Krishi
Pandit award for the year 2006 at Vidhansoudha, Banglore for her
noteworthy work in the field of agriculture. The Agriculture University of
repute in Karnataka, University of Agriculture Sciences, Banglore awarded
her “Best Farm Women”. This has given her self-confidence, motivated her
to achieve more gained better access to information etc. psychologically
empowered made her to take more risk, she has encouraged other women in
the neighbouring village to take up entrepreneurial activity and she stood as
a role model for others.
Ethical and Personal development
Dummalli Shivamma because of her entrepreneurial ability could able to
become empowered in the sense she acquired personal & business issues,
she got public recognition awards received from prestigious society/
organisation are the reflection of her public recognition. She is considered as
an inspiration for budding/already engaged women farmers in agriculture

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and allied activities, She gained ability to speak before audience/public and
persuade them in adoption of technologies related to vermicomposting for
making their livelihoods she has got a say in public domain she
acquired/purchased assets such as building, two acres of arecanut after
getting involved in large scale production of vermicomposting. Though, she
has got meager literacy level but her dedication, dictum, courage, risk
bearing ability, entrepreneurial ability paved a way for gaining such a public
recognition. During Dasara festival in Shivamogga district, special attention
will be given to agriculture and celebrated as Krushi Dasara during which
she will be invited as key speaker to address young minds graduating in
agriculture, youth involved in agriculture and adults having profound
experience in agriculture. Her motivational and inspirational speech is
anticipated to bring desired changes in the young minds. It may inculcate
spirit of entrepreneurship among young minds such that they can become
self-reliant and provide employment opportunities for innumerable persons
in the society. This is an apt example to demonstrate how entrepreneurial
ability of women empowers herself and causes desirable changes in society.
3. Programmes and schemes to support women
Programmes Year Purpose of the programme
Women-Welfare Programmes
For providing holistic and integrated services to
women without any family, social and economic
SWADHAR support, such as destitute widows deserted by
Scheme their family, women survivors of natural
(A Scheme for 2002 disasters, trafficked women/girls rescued or run
Women in Difficult away from brothels, women victims of terrorist
Circumstances) violence, mentally challenged women and
women with HIV/AIDS deserted by their
family, etc.
For the prevention of trafficking and providing
December,
UJJAWALA support for rescue, rehabilitation, reintegration
2007
and repatriation of women and child.
To strengthen the processes that promote holistic
development of women, gender equality and
National mission
gender justice through inter-sectorial
for empowerment
2011-12 convergence of programmes impacting women,
of women
forging synergy amongst various stakeholders
(NMEW)
and creating an enabling environment conducive
for social change.
It is to provide support and assistance to women
One-Stop Centre affected by violence at private or at any public
1st April 2015
Scheme place, irrespective of caste, class, religion,
region, sexual orientation or marital status.

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 To provide 24 hour emergency and non-
emergency response to women affected by
Women Helpline
1st April, 2015 violence including sexual offences and
Scheme
harassment both in public and private sphere,
including family, community, workplace, etc.
To promote community participation through
involvement of Student Volunteers for
Pradhana Mantri
empowerment of rural women. to enhance
Mahila Shakti 2017
quality of life by giving importance to saving
Kendra Scheme
and surviving of girl child, their primary as well
as secondary education.
The portal aims to spread information about
Nari Web Portal 2018 schemes and benefits provided by the
Government to women.
SHGs-Self Sustaining Programmes
It aims at organising women at the gross-root
Indira Mahila
August 1995 level through SHGs to facilitate the participation
Yojana
of the women in the decision-making process.
To bring the assisted swarozgari’s by formation
Swarnajayanthi
of SHGs who were above the poverty line by
Gram Swarozgar April 1999
providing them income-generating assets
Yojana (SGSY)
through bank credit and government subsidy.
Streeshakthi Groups are formed to inculcate the
Stree Shakti 2000-01 savings habit in the members empowering the
women economically.
Skill Development Programme
STEP Scheme To provide skills that give employability,
Support to Training
since 1986-87 competencies and skill that enable women to
and Employment
and revised in become self-employed/ entrepreneur.
Programme for
December
Women (STEP)
2014
Empower rural women with opportunities for
Mahila Shakti
2017 skill development, employment, digital literacy,
Kendra
health and nutrition.
Entrepreneurship Development Programme
Women entrepreneur aged between 18 to 45,
who are involved in agriculture, retail and
Udyogini scheme 1997-98 similar small businesses are eligible for loans up
to Rs. 1l lakh and her family annual income
should be 45,000 or less to avail this loan.
This scheme is for financing women to establish
Annapurna scheme 2000-2001 a food Catering Unit for selling tiffin/food/lunch
packs etc. It offers loans up to 50,000/- rupees.
This scheme is offered by the Central Bank of
Cent Kalyani
2013 India. Women are assisted for SMEs or
scheme
agricultural work or retail trading. Under this

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 scheme loans up to Rs.1 crore are sanctioned,
without collateral security and guarantee.
TREAD (Trade- This scheme aims at economic empowerment of
Related women by providing credit (through NGOs),
Entrepreneurship training, development and counseling extension
2014
Assistance and activities related to trades, products, services etc.
Development)
scheme
It provides financial support to women
Mudra yojana entrepreneurs who want to start their own small
2015
scheme for women businesses like daycare, beauty salon, tuition,
tailoring unit, etc.
It will help women to make financial and
7th March,
Mahila E-Haat economic choices, enable them to be a part of
2016
‘Make in India’ and ‘Stand Up India’ initiatives.
It offers women entrepreneur’s business loans
up to 20 Crores for manufacturing enterprises
with an interest of 10.15% and more. It also
Bharatiya Mahila 19th November offers collateral-free loans up to 1 crore under
Bank 2019 Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and
Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) cover. The loans
under this bank loan scheme are to be repaid in
seven years.
Digital Laado Every daughter will be taught and trained to
(Digital Laado)- develop their talent and skills to work from
11th October
Giving Digital home itself and get connected with the global
2019
Wings To platform.
Daughters
This scheme is offered by Punjab National Bank
Mahila Udyam and Small Industries Development Bank of India
Nidhi scheme to provides financial assistance of up to Rs 10
lakh to set up a new small-scale venture.
Health and Child Development Programme
Concrete programme education and
Mahila Samakhtya empowerment of women in rural areas,
1988
programme particularly those who are belongs to socially
and economically marginalised group.
The To provide day-care facilities for children (6
Rajiv Gandhi
programme months to 6 years) of working mothers in the
National Creche
was recast by community. To improve nutrition and health
Scheme for the
the status, physical, cognitive, social and emotional
Children of
Government of development of children to educate.
Working Mothers
India in 2006
Rajiv Gandhi The scheme offers a package of benefits to girls
Scheme for between the age group of 10 to 19. It provides
2012
Empowerment of services to help young women to become self-
Adolescent girls- reliant, including nutritional supplementation

Page | 117
 sabla and education, health education and services,
and life skills and vocational training.
Beti Bachao Beti 22 January To provide education to girls'.
Padhao Scheme 2015
To encourage parents of a girl child to create a
Sukanya Smriddhi
January 2015 fund for the future education and marriage
Yojana
expenses of their child.
To provide partial compensation for wage loss
Maternity Benefit to women during their pregnancy and offers a
2017
Programme cash incentive of Rs 6,000 to mothers for the
birth of their first child.
Other Wellfare Programmes
Rashtriya Mahila It caters to the credit needs of the poor and asset-
Kosh (RMK)/ fewer women in the informal sector.
National Credit 1993
Fund for Women
(NCFW)
To recognise women who have exceeded
Nari Shakti expectations to challenge the status quo and
1999
Puraskar make a lasting contribution to women’s
empowerment.
To make Anganwadi as a community centre for
children and mothers to provide supplementary
Nand Ghar Yojana 24th June 2015 nutrition to children in the age group of 0-6
years and to pregnant/lactating mothers (Saban,
2004).
To promote availability of safe and conveniently
Started in
located accommodation for working women
Working Women 1972-73 and
with daycare facility for their children in urban,
Hostel re-launched on
semi-urban or even rural areas where
6th April 2017
employment opportunities for women exists.
To promote community participation through
Pradhana Mantri
involvement of Student Volunteers for
Mahila Shakti 2017
empowerment of rural women. Its purpose is to
Kendra Scheme
enhance women’s quality of life.
Nai Roshni- The To empower and instill confidence among
Scheme for minority women, by providing knowledge, tools
Leadership 2017-18 and techniques for interacting with government
Development of systems, banks and other institutions at all
Minority Women levels.
To provide speedy remedy to women facing
She Box Portal 2018
sexual harassment at workplace.

Conclusion
Considering the vital role of women in upliftment of family and society,
women empowerment in all the fronts’ i.e. social, cultural, economic,

Page | 118
political, ethical, personal, psychological and situational fronts is
indispensable. This empowerment consequently results in desired social
change by reducing gender inequality which further has a bearing in
increasing work efficiency. Thus women empowerment can be considered as
one of the way through which desired social change can be witnessed.
Desired social change causes development of economy which is the need of
the hour.
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