Role of National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme in achieving Gender Equality in Rural India

Economics

National rural employment guarantee scheme in India has played an important role in creation of employment opportunities for women in rural India. The third millennium development goal seeks to promote gender equality and effectively empower women to combat poverty, hunger and disease, and to stimulate development that is truly sustainable. Rural employment is critical in removing poverty as more than half of the poor residing in developing countries live in rural areas. For removal of poverty Government of India launched several schemes to generate employment especially in the rural areas. Present study explores the trends in workforce participation rural economy of India. The study also incorporates the analysis of volume of employment generated through National Rural Employment Guarantee Schemes and the extent of rural female work participation through National Rural Employment Guarantee Schemes. Using the data collected from published reports of National Sample Survey Organization, Labour Bureau and Government of India, reports of Ministry of rural development the study analyses state wise trends from 2010-11 to 2014-15. The study uses compound annual growth rate and percentage analysis as methods of data analysis. Findings of the study reveal that national rural employment guarantee scheme has benefitted female workers and has increased their share in work force.

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