Impact of MGNREGA on women empowerment

MGNREGA is the first effort in the world to provide legal guarantee for the right to work and covers all the districts in the country. It also marks a paradigm shift from all previous wage employment programs implemented by the Indian government. It aims at making rural development such as water conservation, irrigation facilities, rural connectivity etc. by providing employment to the local people. MGNREGA ensures equal wages for both men and women and it also ensure fix reservation for women workers out of total employed workers. MGNREGA, thus by providing equal employment opportunities at equal wages for both men and women is laying a foundation for women to be more independent and possess better self-esteem. Present paper attempted to study the MGNREGA's contribution in Women's socio-economic empowerment especially in Madhya Pradesh State. The study also tried to assess the status of others states in women empowerment through the MGNREGA.