Rural Development: Initiatives For Women Employment

Abstract

India is a vast country occupying 2.4% of the world surface area of 135.79 million sq km.but supporting and sustaining 16.7% of the world population .There has been a constant increase in India’s population which reached 1028 million at the dawn of the 21^st century from 238.4 million at the turn of the 20^th century. India is also a predominantly rural country .As per the census (2001) which was undertaken during Feb 19 to 28, 2001 with a provisional round from March 1 to 5, 2001, share of India’s rural population stands to 72.2 per cent out of 1028 million .In order to utilize the full potential of any country, proper engagement of its people is a precondition. However owing to several factors like male dominance,purdah system, weak infrastructure, customs and traditions, religions instructions etc.,energies and potential of a vast chunk of population i.e. women has remained unutilized and underutilized.