Towards social empowerment: participation, expression and decision-making of rural women of dairy cooperatives in Heggada Devana Kote Taluk in South India

Women and men together constitute a society. Social development is propelled by empowered men and women. A holistic vibrant society exuding equality, justice and freedom thrives on equitable gender relations within family, community and society. Equal access and control over resources, opportunities and outcome in society are imperative for sustainable development and social empowerment. However, in the name of culture, tradition and social practices such empowering social ‘space’ is often denied to women, especially rural women. Equal opportunities for active participation, freedom of expression and decision-making are vital ingredients and powerful indicators of social empowerment. In a patriarchal tradition-bound society like India such opportunities for women empowerment are decidedly limited. Empirical studies with a gender perspective on social empowerment throw light on the dynamics of changing social status of women at the grassroots and its ramifications on development. This empirical study involves the women of dairy cooperative societies of Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) in Heggada Devana Kote Taluk. Comprehensive pre-tested questionnaire was used for the purpose of primary data collection along with field observations. The study examines pathways to social empowerment through participation, expression and decision-making power of rural women towards enhancing strategies and initiatives for women's social empowerment.