Assessment of Women Empowerment in Dairying: A Study of Semi-arid Rajasthan

From time immemorial, women have played a pivotal role in our agriculture in general and dairy in particular. However, the role-played by women and their contribution to various economic activities in our country has yet to be given due importance. As women play predominant role in dairy farming, this enterprise can be sustainable from the social aspect if it is associated with empowerment of women. Therefore, the present study was conducted to measure the empowerment of women in Rajasthan. The study is based on primary data collected from Jaipur district of Rajasthan during 2006–07 for three seasons. The degree of empowerment was measured by using Empowerment Index calculated by Weighted Average Method by using 5 proxy variables. The results of study showed that more than 3/4^th of females (78.33%) were engaged as main workers in dairying. The literacy status was found to be very low as only 34 percent adult females were literate in the study area. Nearly 2/3^rd of the respondents were belonging to nuclear family while remaining 1/3^rd were belonging to joint family. The decisions in domestic, financial and social matter related to dairying were mainly taken by male members of the family. The overall average Women Empowerment Index (WEI) was around 50 and varied in the range of 39.66 to 73.43 and low coefficient of variation of 13.59 percent. The mean WEI values across herd size categories showed very minor increase in the average index as herd size increased. The predominant number of women (97.50%) concentrated in moderate WEI range (range of scores middle 1/3^rd). The study suggested for providing better education, particularly through adult education and ensuring access of resources to women.