Women’s Work and Well Being: Experiences in Programme Implementation in India

Abstract

This paper is based on two evaluative studies of national programmes, STEP (Support for Training and Employment Programme) which was started over 20 years ago, and targeted only women, and the NREGA (National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) 2005, which is an employment guarantee at the household level so that the participation of women varies from place to place. The paper draws on fieldwork carried out in different parts of the country. The question that it tries to answer is, do such policy interventions lead to ‘empowerment’ of women, and if so under what conditions/ in what situations; and therefore, what are the implications for policy. To the extent that data allows, the interplay between ‘work’ and ‘voice’ and implications for well being outcomes, are examined