GENDER DISCRIMINATION AND WOMEN ...ijmart.in/PreviousIssues/Aug 2014/2.pdfhouseholds belongs to madiga caste. Table-1: Caste wise households in Velpur village S.No Caste Population

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY ADVANCED RESEARCH TRENDS

ISSN : 2349-7408 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1, AUGUST 2014

GENDER DISCRIMINATION AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT AMONG DALITS IN VELPUR VILLAGE

OF KRISHNA DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH

P. Jyothirmai Research Scholar

Dept. of Anthropology Andhra University

Visakhapatnam – 530 003. email:[email protected]

Abstract

This paper provides the existing gender discrimination among

dalits in velpur village. In addition to this, it also discusses about the hierarchical position of the caste system in the village, role of

the dalit women with in the family, with in the community, and within the village, and empowerment status of the women in the

velpur village of Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh. All these aspects in the paper are explained with the evidence of an

empirical case study of velpur village. This paper forms the part of PhD work entitled with “Gender discrimination and women

empowerment: An Anthropological study among dalits in velpur village of Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh.

INTRODUCTION: Gender studies gained much importance in social sciences including Anthropology .Gender issues are very

important in the everyday lives of both men and women. Women are considered as subordinate in patriarchal society’s .So the patriarchy recognizes male dominance and female subordination.

Discrimination against women is found in every culture and

21



society with varying degrees. Human development Report emphasizes that “promoting gender equality and empowering women, was considered as the third millennium development

goals”. Gender issues affect the ways that infants are treated in the family by the members, the socialization norms and patterns of boys and girls, the relationship between the married couples,

role behaviour in family and interactions between men and women in their day-to-day activities and in all spheres of life in a human society.

Among all the marginalized sectors of the society women bear a heavy burden in the society. Gender disparities are on the rise both due to sociological, construction and biological reasons.

Dalits and particularly dalit women are offended, discriminated, deprived of human dignity and have subject to inhuman treatment and ugly form of untouchability .Dalit women in rural

areas suffers from three oppressions, due to her caste, gender discrimination under patriarchal structure of our society and her role as a woman in the family, community, and in village.

The dalits are historically been poor oppressed and deprived of basic human rights and treated as social inferiors in India. They still face economic, social cultural and political

discrimination in the name of the caste. Dalit can claim their separate and independent statue from the Hindu social order on

the basis of three characteristics structural location, social exclusion and unique construction of consciousness. Dalit women are located at the lowest position of the caste hierarchy. Dalit

women are triply exploited interms of caste, class and gender, prevalent inadequate opportunities results in the females to have

22



low esteem, lack of awareness of their rights and diminished aspirations. In general the terms sex and gender can be distinguished using the terms as feminity and masculinity,

woman and man as gender related designations. Currently in our society the rate of violence against women became to increase day by day .so this can been seen in increasing trend.

Sexual violence, harassment, domestic violence and female abuses, exploitation is common in rural, tribal and urban areas of our society. The harassment on woman was also among western

countries which were developed. Sherry ortner (1974) pointed out that the universal devaluation of women is connected to their symbolic association with the realm of nature which is itself

viewed as subordinate to the realm of culture associated with men (Ortner1974).Michelle Rosaldo (1974) suggested that the it is women’s association with the domestic sphere in contrast to

men’s dominance in the encompassing public sphere of social life which accounts for the universal tendency for women to be subordinated to men. In the above two statements Ortner’s

mostly stressed on cultural and symbolic factors, while Rosaldo’s emphasized on sociological considerations.

Empowerment is the challenging concept through which

the process of development and the status of the women can be elevated. Empowerment of women is a strategy for inclusion of

women in the ongoing development process and to elevate status and reach the development through empowerment. Empowerment of women provides the woman to exercise their

power to take decisions in social, economic political and religious matters in day today life. In this context power determines the

23



role of the women and their position in the family, community, and in the village, and society. Power gives rise in the women’s status and increase in the extent of self-identity of women.

Empowerment of women also involves having better status in the family, community, and society.

Empowerment ensures women’s accessibility to modern

development facilities and extends their participation in social, economic and political process and decision-making. Women have been neglected in the process of development. They have a

secondary role usually assigned to them whether in taking part in crucial issues in family. India has come a long way since 1971 when the government appointed a committee on the status of

women as an outcome of the global decade for women. The committee raised basic questions about the socialization processes inherent in a hierarchical society about the resources.

Power and asset distribution patterns as well as diverse cultural values in the country are responsible for economic empowerment. It report “Towards Equality” (1974) highlighted on the facts and

position of women. Gender refers to the social attributes and opportunities associated with male and female and the relationships between women and men, girls and boys as well as

the relationship between women and men.

Everywhere in the world women have two roles to perform

inside and outside the house. They control most of the non-money economic activities like bearing and raising children, and providing much of the labour for household maintenance and

subsistence agriculture. In general their works was not recognized and were unpaid.In972 the general assembly of the

24



united Nations came far ward with the themes of equality development and peace proclaimed the international women’s year1975.The Beijing Declaration as well the platform for action

in 1995 emphasizes the human rights of women and on the need to mainstream a gender perspective in all levels of planning for the achievement of gender equality.

National policy for women’s empowerment, 2001:-

1. Since the fifth five year plan (1974-1978) onwards, there has been a marked shift in the approach to women’s issues

from welfare to development. 2. Empowerment of women has been recognized as the

central issue in determining the status of women.

3. The constitution not only grants equality to women, but also empowers the state in encouraging providing positive discrimination in favour of women.

4. The access of women particularly those belonging to the weaker sections

5. Women’s equality in power sharing and active

participation in decision making. 6. Women –friendly personnel policies will also be drawn up

to encourage women to participate effectively in the

development process. Poverty eradication programmes will specifically address the needs and problems of women of below poverty line.

7. Strategies will be designed to enhance the capacity of women and empower them to meet the negative social and

economic impacts which may flow from the globalization process.

25



8. Women’s traditional knowledge about health care nutrition will be recognized through proper documentation and its use will be encouraged. Women will be involved and

their perspectives reflected in the policies and programs for environment factors on their livelihoods, women’s participation will be ensured in the conservation of the

environment and control of the environmental degradation.

These policies are for the upliftment of women and bring

development among them for better society. Empowerment of women are essential as their thoughts and value system lead the development of a good family good society and ultimately a good

nation.

Objectives:-

To understand the social and cultural background of dalit women.

To indentify the existing gender discrimination among dalits.

To know the affect of self help group strategy in empowering dalit women.

Methodology:-

The proposed study is of both qualitative and quantitative in nature. It is an empirical micro-level village study. The

conventional anthropological method like observation both participatory and non-participatory, schedule interview and case studies were employed in collection of empirical data. Focus

26



group discussion was conducted by the key informants for collection of qualitative data. The study covered from scheduled caste namely mala and madiga castes inhabiting in Krishna

district of Andhra Pradesh. The secondary data was also collected from the journals, articles, books etc.

0bservations:-

The velpur village lies in the Krishna district of kakipadu mandal of Andhra Pradesh. It is a micro level village study which covers a sample of 248 households of scheduled caste population.

Macro level study was also conducted in two Mandals of Krishna district namely kankipadu and penamaluru Mandals. In 248 samples 192 households belongs to mala caste and rest 52

households belongs to madiga caste.

Table-1: Caste wise households in Velpur village

S.No Caste Population

Hhs** Male Female Total No %

1 Agrikula Kshetriya (Bc) 82 179 182 361 15.10

2 Brahmin (Oc) 5 14 13 27 1.12 3 Dudekula (Bc) 2 5 8 13 0.54 4 Gowda (Bc) 74 174 145 319 13.30 5 Kamma (Oc) 47 85 89 174 7.25 6 Kapu (Oc) 24 39 32 71 2.96 7 Kumari (Bc) 36 85 83 168 7.00 8 Nai Brahmin (Bc) 34 84 80 164 6.84 9 Padmasali (Bc) 8 11 9 20 0.83 10 Rajikulu (Bc) 24 48 39 87 3.63

27



The following table shows that the households of mala are of 24.74%and madiga households are of 13.09%. . The rest are the different castes residing in the village. Though numerically the

percent of scheduled caste is more the hierarchy was observed according to the caste priority.

Type of house of Scheduled Castes in Velpur village

S.No Type of House

Mala Madiga

N % N %

1 Thatched 46 23.47 12 23.08

2 Tiled 5 2.55 3 5.77

3 Asbestos 58 29.59 9 17.31

4 RCC 87 44.38 28 53.84

Total 196 100 52 100

In the above table it was observed that the most of the

houses are rcc in both the caste of mala it is 44.38 % and in madiga it is of 53.84%. And next it was followed by asbestos type

11 Viswa Brahmin (Bc) 3 4 6 10 0.42 12 Vysya (Oc) 4 8 11 19 0.79 13 Yadhavas (Bc) 17 36 21 57 2.37 14 Mala (Sc)* 196 292 301 593 24.74 15 Madiga (Sc)* 52 161 153 314 13.09 Total Scheduled

Caste 248 453 454 907 37.83

Grand Total 608 1225 1172 2397 100

28



of house in mala of 29.59%. The second place was of thatched house with 23.08% among madiga caste.

Decision making by family members in spending her

income of Scheduled Castes

Mostly in the families of the respondents the decision

making power was vested among husbands it’s of 70.92% in case of mala and 94.23%in case of madiga caste and next the decision

making was seen by eldest son and then comes father-in-law last it was taken by mother in-law.

It is a well known fact that the women in Indian society

considered as subordinates to men and ascribed low social status. In general the woman in the patriarchal society has no property inheritance right and the rules of descent and residence in this

kind of society is only through male lines. Cultural practices and enforced restrictions on women definitely for bid their active

S.No Member Mala Madiga

N % N %

1 Husband 139 70.92 49 94.23

2 Father-In-Law 2 1.02 1 1.92

3 Mother-In-Law 2 1.02 0 0.00

4 Eldest Son 7 3.57 2 3.85

5 Not Dependent 46 23.47 0 0.00

Total 196 100 52 100

29



participation along with men folk in many activities of day today life. Low literacy rate was seen among females then males.

In India social exclusion is based on the caste and gender.

The concept of social exclusion emphasizes the role relational feature of deprivation. Isolation, inequality and discrimination are the hall marks of social exclusion. Primarily women are

excluded by the mechanisms of intimidation, discrimination, exploitation and violence’s.

In many parts of India, widows are considered as an

excluded group .some widows are ill-treated by her family members .The widows are excluded from attending certain social ceremonies and rituals at both family and community level.

Gender bias in between male and female child at family level is that the preference of male child by the parents instead of female child. The female child was considered to be as loss of property

for giving dowry. Parents give better education to the son when compared with daughter. Overall 45.825of the females at national level are illiterates .There is differential in when compared with

the males though the working hours are equal, the females are paid less wages

Role of self help group:-

Self help group strategy provides opportunity to women to take decisions on economic matters of their families at some extent. The NABARD initiated project to link SHGs with banks

was started in the year 1992. Experimentation with SHGs has shown positive response gaining some satisfaction of all

concerned. Andhra Pradesh has the highest formation of SHGs in the country and more the 4, 00,000 groups are functioning in the

30



state. Both governmental and non-governmental agencies played a prominent role in group formation and bank linkage. The scheduled caste women in velpur village had benefited much with

SHG s of micro-financial support from the government and non-government agencies. They reached economic empowerment and exposed to the outside through media and by attending to the

regular meetings which was held in kankipadu mandal. Women participation in political activities is very limited. The study reveals that the gender imbalance very much prevails among

mala and madiga caste in the spheres of social, economic religious and political. Both the caste are following patriarchal system in which the superiority and dominance is vested among male

members.

The male members are playing an important and a key role in all spheres of their life. The place of the women was within the

four walls and not permitted to go to other areas for employment. The men are relatively more exposed to outside compared to that of women. The cases of violence on women, harassment women

abuse, found to be in the village. These harassment was due to demand to bring more money, dowry, and suspecting the wife. The study also reveals that still the women are denied of political

empowerment though three members are ward members in the village panchayat. They just keep their signature when ever

required but the power of decision making capacity was vested among the males.

Conclusion:-

In egalitarian societies there is no scope of gender discrimination and gender bias, in which male and females are

31



treated equally for example foraging group. Such kind of the egalitarian nature of society was expected for the benefit of women in whom she was treated equally in all spheres like social,

economic, and political, and religious spheres. And hope that women can be free from all kinds of violence ill-treatments and harassments for building of the better society.

References:-

Boserup, E (1970) Women’s role in economic development, London: George Allen &Unwin.

Leacock, E (1969)’ Women ‘s status in egalitarian society:

implications for social evolution; Current Anthropology19(2):247-5.

Ortner,S.(1984)’Theory in Anthropology since the sixties. Comparative studies in society and history26 (1):126-66.

Rosaldo,M.(1974)’woman culture and society: a theoretical overview’ in M.Rosaldo and L.Lamphere (eds) woman, culture, and society, Stanford ,cal: Stanford University

press.

Manoranjan mohanty (2004) Class, caste, Gender :Sage publications.

32



EMPLOYMENT AND EMPOWERMENT

(A study of mahila pranganams in North Coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh)

Swarna latha kusuma.*

Introduction: The human resources in India, through more or less equally

distributed on gender basis, the women resources, could not be properly subjected to productive activities. For various historical and socio-economic processes, it is often believed that the

development of a society or a nation depends on the social and economic well-being of women. Involving the women in the productive sector leads not only to empower the women but also

contributes to the social development that in turn brings economic growth.

In India the main economic activity of women has always

been small scale enterprises through self-employment. The employment of women is one of the dual objectives of many self-employment programmes. The national commission on self-

employed women for national development, recommended for the establishment of various programmes like IRDP, STEP, TRYSEM, DWACRA, Mahila pranganm.

**Research Scholar, Department of Economics, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam.

Women development corporations were also set up and they have been making concerted efforts towards improving the conditions of women by upgrading their skills and enhancing the

awareness through several programmes. The Durga Bai Mahila Sisu Vikasa Kendram (DMSVK) is one such program, aimed at the empowerment of women through employment.

33



Need For the study: Empowerment of women is basically concerned with recognition of women’s individuality in the area of work

participation, capability, knowledge, self-respect, self-objectivity, access and control over the resources like capital, land property and technology. Economic empowerment of women implies

sectoral diversification of employment possibilities for women, technological up gradation, skill development, provision of supportive services, expansion of part-time employment,

promotion of self-employment etc. All these factors are crucial in defining the concept of empowerment of women .The

employment of women is not only determined by the education and skills but also their socio-economic status. A three fold strategy has been evolved for empowering the

women, and they are as follows; Education of women, which promotes positive self-image and self-confidence and develops their ability to think critically. Promoting awareness among

women about health, nutrition, environment, economic and political process which ensures equal participation in the process of bringing social change and several studies have shown that a

large majority of women workforce is over utilized and under-paid. The reasons for such a situation is attributed to the parameters like levels of education, training, skills, credit etc.

The status of women and their over all contribution to social and economic development of a nation largely depends upon the availability of employment opportunities. Under these

circumstances, government has geared up several programmes to develop women both on social and economic fronts. Among such several programmes training women is one, which imparts

34



training to enhance their skills to their ability to choose and shape their occupations, there by contributing to social and economic development of the society and finally empowering

them. Such a training program has been run by the government of Andhra Pradesh in the name of Durga Bai Mahila Sisu Vikasa Kendram.

Statement of the problem: No period in the history of economic thought has attached more importance and more attention to the concept of

empowerment of women than that of the present period. However, the empowerment of women and their contribution to

social and economic development of the country to a greater extent depends on the availability of and accessibility to employment opportunities for them. Though a large number

women in India are engaged in economic activities, they had limited access to training, education, skills and other inputs. To overcome such deficiencies the government has been taking

several steps from time to time to develop the women both on social and economic fronts. Education and vocational training are available for girls only in institutions like typing, nursing,

cutting, tailoring etc. As a result women workers are mainly concentrated in the informal sector. Studies have shown that a majority of the force is engaged in informal sector, because the

informal sector requires lesser training and lesser skills. As such women in the informal sector have not received due to recognition as producers and entrepreneurs. Under these

circumstances, training becomes an integral part of women, in order to formalize their skills and involve them in their occupation to important their incomes and social status in the

35



society. The Durga Bai Mahila Sisu Vikasa Kendram aimed at the empowerment of women through employment and training.

Durga Bai Mahila Sisu Vikasa Kendram (DMSVK): Durga Bai Mahila Sisu Vikasa Kendram was established in Hyderabad in 1975 on the occasion of the International Women’s year and subsequently became an off-shoot of an economic

organization. The DMSVK main objective of the organization is to extend financial assistance to women belonging to weaker sections of the society with a special focus on scheduled caste and

scheduled tribes, besides the economically backward communicaties.

The DMSVK is a self contained unit. The main aim of the scheme is also to provide training facilities to rural and urban educated/ uneducated women in various skills and traders, with a

view to enable then to establish their own trade for their livelihood. This programme of Telugu Bala Mahila Pragathi Pranganam is renamed as Dugha Bai Mahila Sisu Vikasa

Kendram from 2006 year. Against this background the major objective of the study is to examine the socio-economic and employment pattern of trainees in DMSVK in the north coastal

districts of Andhra Pradesh.

Sources of Data and Methodology: The study is confined to Mahila Praganam in north costal

Andhra Pradesh. The primary data has been collected by personal interview at the place of training center through a pre-designed questionnaire in different Mahila Pranganm in north costal

districts of Andhra Pradesh. This study mainly realied on primary data. For this study 3 districts of north coastal Andhra Pradesh namely srikakulam, vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam are

36



purposively selected for each district. From each district four manadals have been again selected namely Narasannapeta, Etchrla, Nandigama, Ichapuram, S.kota, Terlam, Kurupam,

Komarada, K.kotapadu, Narsipatnam, Visakhapatnam city and Paderu mandals were randomly selected.

Results of the study:

District –wise distribution of women beneficiaries in DMSVK by Age: The statistical information relating to age distribution of women

beneficiaries in DMSVK is presented in table-1. Table-1

Age -wise distribution of women beneficiaries in DMSVK.

s.no

Name of the district

Below 20 years

21-25 years

26-30 years

31 and above

Total

1 Srikakulam 34 (34.0)

52 (52.0)

9 (9.0)

5 (5.0)

100

2 Vizainagaram

66 (66.0)

25 (25.0)

7 (7.0)

2 (2.0)

100

3 Visakhapatnam

27 (27.0)

57 (57.0)

7 (7.0)

9 (9.0)

100

total 127 (42.3)

134 (44.6)

23 (7.6)

16 (5.3)

300

Source: computed from primary data

The age composition pattern of the selected respondents reveals that 47 percent are in the age group of 21-25 years, 42 percent in the age group of below 20 years, 8percent are in the

age group of 26-30 years and only 5 percent are in the age group of 31and above years. The above table reveals that most of the

respondents is in the young age group.

37



Among the three districts, in vizainagaram district, majority 66 percent are in the age group of below 20 years, 25 percent are in the age group of 21-25 years, 7 percent are in the

age group 26-30years and only 2 percent are in the age group of 31 and above year. In Visakhapatnam district majority 57 percent are in the age group of 21-25 years, 27 percent are in the

age group of below 20 years, 9 percent in the age group of 31 years and above and 8 percent in the age group of 26-30 years.

In srikakulam district majority 52 percent are in the age group of 21-25 years, 34 percent are in the age group of below 20 years, 9 percent are in the age group of 26-30 years and 5 percent

are in the age group of 31 and above year. It is interesting to note that majority of the sample trainees belong to the 21-25 years age group, and the trainees’

percentage decreases as the age group advances. Therefore, it is inferred that young and youth are utilizing the DMSVK designed training programmes.

Education levels of women beneficiaries in DMSVK: The statistical information relating to education levels of women beneficiaries in DMSVK is presented in table-2.

38



Table-2

Literature wise- table distribution of women beneficiaries in DMSVK.

s.no Name of the district

Primary education

Secondary education

Higher education

Total


26 (26.00)

74 (74.00)

100 (100.00

2 Vizainagaram 49 (49.00)

49 (49.00)

51 (51.00)

100 (100.00)

3 Visakhapatnam 1 (1.00)

43 (43.00)

56 (56.00)

100 (100.00)

total 76(25.00) 108(36.00) 81(27.00) 300 (100.00)


An attempt is made here to analyze the distribution of

sample individuals in different districts of North Costal Andhra Pradesh according to the level of education. For the purpose of analysis, the level of education is divided into three categories

viz., primary education covering standards one to five, secondary education covering classes from VI to X, Intermediate and higher education comprising graduation the distribution of total sample

individuals in the district according to the level of education is furnished in Table-2. It may be observed from the table, among them 76

beneficiaries have primary education, 108 beneficiaries have secondary education and 81 beneficiaries have higher education in all three districts.

Further it is observed that in srikakulam district more 74 higher educated are found rather than in the other two districts. Visakhapatnam district has recorded negligible percentage in

primary education and vizainagaram is highest is 49 percent. But

39



in total primary education is high among the DMSVK respondents.

Caste –wise distribution of women beneficiaries in

DMSVK: There may be special variations even within a district, say

among different districts, mandals or villages depend upon

several factors. Apart from this in a stratified society like India, these indicators may not be found on equal footing for all social groups (caste) like Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST),

Backward Classes (BC) and Open Category (OC). Table-3

Caste –wise distribution of women beneficiaries in DMSVK. s.no Name of the

district OC BC SC ST total


32 (32.00)

56 (56.00)

1 (1.00)

100


30 (30.00)

46 (46.00)

10 (10.00)

100

3 visakhapatnam 20 (20.00)

21 (21.00)

31 (31.00)

28 (28.00)

100

total 45 (15.00)

83 (27.6)

133 (44.00)

39 (13.00)

300 (100.00)

Source: computed from primary data In terms of percentages 15 belong to OCs, 27.6 belong to BC

category, 44 belong to SCs and 13 belong to STs for all the three

selected districts together. District-wise data indicates that in

srikakulam district more percentage 56 is found in SCs, followed but

BCs (36%) In vizainagaram is also found in more percentage (46%)

in SCs, followed by BCs (30), 14 percent by OCs and 10 percent by

STs is found. In Visakhapatnam is also found the same trend like

that more percentage by SCs (31), followed by STs (28), 21 percent

40



by BC and 20 percent by OCs. Like this composition of caste-wise

DMSVK respondents shows that more SC respondents are found in

all three districts. But more STs Respondents are found in

Visakhapatnam rather than in the other two districts. It is

interesting in to note that more SC respondents are join (50%) in

this programme rather than other categories. government of India

designed this programme especial for Scheduled Castes (SC), and

Scheduled Tribes (ST) so these category of people getting benefit.

The caste composition of three sample districts makes it clear that these districts are inhabited by large number of weaker section people. Marital Status The distribution of total sample individuals in the district according to the marital status is furnished in Table-4.

Table-4 Marital status - wise distribution of women beneficiaries in

DMSVK. s.no Name of the

district Marital status total Married Un

married 1 Srikakulam 43

(43.00) 57 (57.00)

100 (100.00)


65 (65.00)

100 (100.00)


83 (83.00)

100 (100.00)

total 95 (31.66)

205 (68.3)

300 (100.00)


41



The above table shows that in all three districts 68 percent

are un married and 32 percent are married. It is found that

unmarried women (205) are more in number than married

women.

Among the three districts, more unmarried women are

found in Visakhapatnam i.e,. 83 percent and only 17 percent are

married. In srikakulam and vizainagaram also, more women are

un married, but this figure is smaller than in srikakulam. More

percentage of married women are found in srikakulam than in

other two districts.

It is interesting note that these training programmes are

preferred by unmarried women then married women.

Type of House

One of the important and lifetime objectives of a middle

class and low class households is having House. Apart from

providing protection from vagaries of nature a good house.

Having pucca house is a good indicator of a household. Sample

beneficiaries classification based on the type of residential house

is presented in Table-5.

42



Table - 5

Housing status -wise distribution of women beneficiaries in

DMSVK.

s.no Name of the district

Housing status Total Kutcha Semi

pucca pucca


42 (42.00)

51 (51.00)

100 (100.00)


47 (47.00)

46 (46.00)

100 (100.00)


33 (33.00)

36 (36.00)

100 (100.00)

total 15(5.00) 122(40.06) 133(44.3) 300 (100.00)


Among the 300 sample beneficiaries, 44.3 per cent are

living in pucca houses and those who are living in semi - pucca

houses and kutcha houses are in percentages 40.06 per cent and 5

per cent percentages respectively.

District-wise in srikakualam more than half of the

beneficiaries (51 per cent) living in pucca houses only 42 per cent

beneficiaries living in semi-pucca houses and 7 percent

beneficiaries living in kucha houses. In vizainagaram district 46

per cent living in pucca houses, 47 per cent beneficiaries living in

semi pacca and only 7 per cent beneficiaries living in kutcha

houses. In Visakhapatnam district also 36 per cent in pucca,

33per cent in semi- pucca and 1 percent in kutcha houses. In the

43



above table shows that more number of sample beneficiaries

living in pucca houses

Employment -wise distribution of women beneficiaries in

DMSVK:

Employment pattern determines the power structure and

hence the opportunities available to them. In view of the

importance of employment pattern, an attempt is made to elicit

the information from the beneficiaries regarding their

employment pattern. The relevant information is provided in the

below table-6

44



Table-6

Employment -wise distribution of women beneficiaries in DMSVK


S.

N

O

Name of the

district

Before training After training total

Domestic work

House Wife

tailaring

student

Fashion technolog

y

tailoring

Dress making garmets

Computer

course 1 srikakulam 13

(4.3) 17

(5.6) 11

(3.6) 59

(19.6) 25

(8.3) 25

(8.3) 25

(8.3) 25

(8.3) 100

2 vizianagaram 1 (0.3)

23 (7.6)

14 (4.6)

62 (20.6)

25 (8.3)

25 (8.3)

25 (8.3)

25 (8.3)

100


5 (1.6)

8 (2.6)

87 (29)

25 (8.3)

25 (8.3)

25 (8.3)

25 (8.3)

100

total 14 (4.6)

45 (15.00)

33 (11.00

208 (69.3)

25 (8.3)

25 (8.3)

25 (8.3)

25 (8.3)

300

45



The women undergoing training have come from different

occupational back ground. Out of 300 beneficiaries before joining

in the training 14 (4.6 percent) are having domestic work as the

occupations, before training followed by 45(15.00percent)

beneficiaries are house wifes. 33(11 percent) beneficiaries are

having tailoring. Remaining 208 beneficiaries are students.

Among the three districts, large number of beneficiaries

59(19.6 percent) are students and lower number of beneficiaries

11 (3.6 percent) are placed in tailoring in srikakulam district. In

vizainagaram district, the large number of beneficiaries 62 (20.6

percent) are students and only 1 person is placed under

domestic work. Similarly Visakhapatnam, the large number of

beneficiaries 87 (29 percent) are students and lower number of

beneficiaries 5 (1.6 percent) are placed as house wifes.

After they join in the training, the major proportion of the

selected households involved in four types of diversified activities

like Fashion technology, Tailoring, Dress making garments, and

Computer course.

Income-wise distribution of women beneficiaries in

DMSVK:

Income is an impotent indicator of the standard of living in

any country. The income levels determine the consumption levels

and consequently the welfare levels of beneficiaries. In fact

46



income is an important means to get many other ends of human

life. Table - 6 shows the information on the distribution of all

respondents among different income levels in different district of

north coastal Andhra Pradesh.

The statistical information relating income-wise

distribution of women beneficiaries in DMSVK is presented in

table-7

47



Table-7

Income- wise distribution of women beneficiaries in DMSVK.

S.no Name of the district

Before joining DMSVK After joining DMSVK total Below Rs 1000

1000-2000

2000-3000

Above 3000

Below 1000

1000-2000

2000-3000

Above 3000

1 srikakulam 4 (4.00)

29 (29.00)

32 (32.00)

35 (35.00)

5 (5.00)

18 (18.00)

35 (35.00)

42 (42.00)

100

2 vizianagaram 2 (2.00)

19 (19.00)

35 (35.00)

46 (46.00)

0 (0.00)

25 (25.00)

30 (30.00)

45 (45.00)

100


21 (21.00

28 (28.00)

43 (43.00)

3 (3.00)

14 (14.00)

37 (37.00)

59 (59.00)

100

total 14 (4.6)

69 (23.00)

95 (31.6)

124 (41.3)

8 (2.6)

57 (19.00)

102 (34.00)

146 (48.66)

300


48



The above table reveals that the income earned by the

respondents, 41 percent of respondents fall in the income grope of

above three thousand rupees , followed by 32 percent respondents

fall in the income grope of Rs.2000-3000 ,23 percent respondent

in the income grope of 1000-2000 and only 5 percent respondents

in the income group of below 1000 per month.

But after joining in the DMSVK training programme, the

respondents income came down to 5 to 3 percent to the income

levels below Rs 1000, 19 percent of the respondents fall in the

income group of 1000-2000, but the respondents income increase

to 34 percent to income levels of Rs.2000-3000 and around 50

percent to income levels of above Rs 3000. Also from the table it

is observed that the majority of the respondents (50 %) got

improvement in their income levels. While providing employment

to the sample households, the DMSVK, training programme

leaded to the empowerment of women in the study area.

Conclusion:

Welfare maximization is ultimate goal behind all plans,

schemes and programmes pertaining to development of a

country. This goal can be achieved by uplifting the lower strata of

the community. Empowerment is one of the primary objectives of

five year plan in India. Several steps have been taken in our

country to ensure women empowerment i, e gender budgeting,

49



sthri sakthi puraskaras, IRDP, DWACRA, TRYSEM, Mahila

pranganam extra.

The young and youth women are utilizing the DMSVK

designed training programmes in the study area. Primary

education is high among the DMSVK respondents. The caste

composition of three sample districts makes it clear that these

districts are inhabited by large number of weaker section people.

It is interesting note that these training programmes are

preferred by unmarried women then married women. The

majority of the respondents (50 %) got improvement in their

income levels. While providing employment to the sample

households, the DMSVK, training programme leaded to the

empowerment of women in the study area.

The above major inferences derived from the empirical

analysis of this study. Ultimately reveal that the activities

undertaken by the mahila pranganams are contributing much

towards employment and empowerment of women households in

the north coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh.

50

Documents

GENDER DISCRIMINATION AND WOMEN ...ijmart.in/PreviousIssues/Aug 2014/2.pdfhouseholds belongs to madiga caste. Table-1: Caste wise households in Velpur village S.No Caste Population