A Critical Analysis on the Concept of Women Development through Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in Kulpi Block, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal: Issues and Challenges

Abstract

Empowerment is a process aimed to changing the nature and direction of systematic forces, which marginalize Women and other disadvantaged sections in a given context. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) was envisaged as a gender sensitive legislation to provide a fair opportunity to women from rural India to earn without any discrimination of gender. In terms of national averages the scheme under the act has achieved its target but there exist a wide variation among the state in the numbers for participation of women workers. This study is an attempt to identify the barriers that have restricted the participation of women. The MGNREGA ensures on demand one hundred days of employment in a year to a household at the minimum wage for rural households. The MGNREGA is based on twin principles of universality and self-selection. The Act places enforceable obligation on the State and gives power to rural women labourers. As a legal right to work, MGNREGA related with previous employment generation schemes in several aspects. This study examines the impact of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act on rural women in Kulpi block, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal.