Impact of Mahatma Gandhi NREGS on Empowerment of Women

Mahatma Gandhi NREGS has been recognized as the world's largest Poverty Alleviation programme. Ever since the programme is launched about ten years ago, number of impact studies has been conducted by several researchers. However, the Impact of Mahatma Gandhi NREGS on women has not been focused fully and the present study aims to fulfill the research gap. The study has been conducted in the most backward district, Viz., Vizianagaram in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The study adopted both quantitative as well as qualitative research methodologies. The study covered 450 women living in the most vulnerable conditions. The study brings out that woman participation rate in Mahatma Gandhi NREGS is more than 50 percent, regularity of wage payment, parity in wages and availability of works within the vicinity. There have been several positive trends in respect of say in house hold issues, decision making on social and economic issues and improved child education performances. This book is useful for both social researchers as well as students of women studies. It has both methodological and analytical advantages. This book is an addition to the existing reference books on women's studies, Poverty Alleviation studies and backward areas development studies.