SOCIO-ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT AND EMPLOYMENT PATTERNS OF RURAL WOMEN IN WESTERN UTTAR PRADESH

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Rural women in Western Uttar Pradesh play a critical role in the agrarian economy, yet their socio-economic empowerment remains constrained by systemic barriers. This study examines the socio-economic status, employment patterns, and challenges faced by rural women in Amroha and Meerut districts, aiming to inform policies for enhancing their economic agency. Using a quantitative cross-sectional design, data were collected from 300 women through structured questionnaires, capturing demographic characteristics, income, landholding, occupations, and socio-economic constraints. Findings reveal a predominance of older women with low educational attainment, limiting their adoption of modern agricultural practices. Employment is primarily agricultural, with significant engagement in wage labor and non-agricultural activities like caste-based occupations, though high unemployment and irregular work persist. Low wages, gender discrimination, and limited access to skills and financial resources emerged as major barriers, with regional disparities highlighting better skill access in Meerut. The study underscores the need for targeted interventions, including expanded education, vocational training, financial inclusion, and gender-equity policies, to foster sustainable empowerment. These findings contribute to the discourse on gender and rural development, offering evidence-based recommendations for policymakers to enhance rural women’s economic participation and well-being in Western Uttar Pradesh.

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