Paper Details

Name: Dr. Kanwaljeet Kaur
Country: India

Year: 2023
Volume: Volume-10, Issue-2 (July-December)
Page Number: 66-79

ABSTRACT:
This study presents a comprehensive quantitative analysis of women’s empowerment in 21stcentury India, aiming to identify the challenges and opportunities that shape Indian women's
socio-economic and political realities. Drawing from a structured questionnaire administered
to 1,200 women, the research employed a stratified random sampling method to ensure
representation across age, education, income, and regional backgrounds. Data analysis using
SPSS involved descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and One-Way ANOVA to evaluate
variations in empowerment across demographic segments. The findings reveal significant
disparities, with urban women demonstrating higher empowerment scores than rural
counterparts. Education emerged as a key determinant of empowerment, influencing
employment, health access, and perceived policy impact. Income levels significantly affected
women’s evaluation of policy initiatives, while mobility and political participation varied
based on region and age. The study highlights the persistence of structural and cultural
barriers, especially in rural areas, despite national-level policies and programs aimed at
gender equity. By grounding the analysis in women’s lived experiences, the study addresses a
critical gap in the existing literature, which often relies on secondary data or overlooks intragroup differences. The research calls for region-specific, education-centric, and economically
inclusive policy frameworks to address the multidimensional nature of women’s
empowerment in India and emphasizes the need for data-driven, participatory interventions to
achieve gender-equitable development.
Keywords: Women empowerment, gender equality, India, education, policy perception,
regional disparity