Women Empowerment Through “Mgnrega”- A Case Study Of Rural Assam

Abstract

India's adoption of economic planning and the mixed economy model, addressing the urgent issues of unemployment and poverty, enabled substantial economic growth. Since attaining independence, the Indian government has instituted various Programmes to tackle unemployment and poverty. The advancement of a nation depends on the empowerment of its female populace. The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the impact of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) on women residing in rural regions of Assam. This research aimed to evaluate the degree to which MGNREGA in Assam facilitates the economic empowerment of women. The researcher selects a rural area in the Bongaigaon district to conduct the study. The research examined the effects of MGNREGA on income and employment generation in the Bongaigaon district through the use of primary and secondary data. The researcher selected two blocks, specifically Srijangram and Boitamari Block. To assess the effectiveness of MGNREGA on income generation among respondents, the researcher employs a Difference in Differences model. The Difference in Difference technique has produced favorable results based on a sample of 100 households in Bongaigaon district. The researcher employed percentage analysis, ANOVA, and graphical methods to achieve the specific objective of the study. The ANOVA test has revealed a positive correlation between financial independence and women's empowerment within the framework of MGNREGA implementation.