Exploring Regional Disparities in India through a Comprehensive Index of Women Empowerment

Rosy Sulochana
DOI:10.46852/2249-6637.03.2024.6

Abstract:

Women empowerment, often defined as the process by which women gain autonomy, control over resources, and decision-making

power, is a key determinant in the socio-economic advancement of a country. In regions where women enjoy higher levels of

empowerment characterized by factors such as greater participation in the workforce, political engagement, access to financial

resources, and freedom from traditional patriarchal constraints, the correlation between empowerment and improved educational

access and health outcomes is markedly positive. This paper explores to quantify the regional disparity in women empowerment

by constructing a comprehensive women empowerment index (WEI) for 17 major states of India, based on three broad indicators

i.e., women socio-economic empowerment, health outcomes, and access to education. For this, the study uses secondary data

namely, NFHS-5 for the year 2019-21, published by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. With the ranking

of states in WEI, a clear and concrete picture of disparities is found unwaveringly, thus making it a critical focus for policymakers

aiming to achieve balanced regional development across the country.

Access to education ensures a greater participation of women in decision-making and economic activities.
Improved maternal health and reproductive rights indicate higher empowerment levels, leading to better overall wellbeing for women.
Workforce participation and financial independence also serve as critical indicators of women’s autonomy and their ability to influence societal structures.