Women's Empowerment in Indian Agriculture: A Case Study Using WEAI India

Introduction:

Women's empowerment in the agriculture sector is a critical aspect of fostering sustainable development and gender equality. The Women's Empowerment in Agriculture Index (WEAI) serves as a comprehensive metric to evaluate women's access to opportunities and decision-making capacities in various agricultural domains. This article delves into the challenges and adaptations encountered in applying WEAI in the Indian context, drawing insights from a study conducted across 3,600 households within India.

• Empowerment Metrics and WEAI:

  Traditionally, women's empowerment metrics have focused on aspects such as employment, income management, household head gender, and marriage-time asset regulation. In contrast, WEAI, introduced in 2012, specifically targets competitive agricultural realms, emphasizing the intricate relationship between agriculture and nutrition.

• Challenges in WEAI Implementation:

  Implementing WEAI in diverse agricultural contexts poses challenges such as adapting surveys to local agricultural practices and modifying the index design. The study across Bangladesh, Uganda, and Guatemala highlights the importance of tailoring the index to specific contexts to maximize its impact on the public sector.

• Empirical Data on Women's Empowerment in India:

  The study in India identifies key factors contributing to women's disempowerment in agriculture, including a lack of involvement in self-help groups (SHGs), limited land ownership, and challenges in income management. Sensitivity analysis reveals variations in empowerment levels across districts, emphasizing the need for context-specific measures.

• Literature Review on Female Entrepreneurship:

  This article expands the understanding of female entrepreneurship, particularly in the less-investigated realm of social entrepreneurship in India. It explores how women's empowerment occurs when they challenge existing social expectations and community norms, validated through quasi-experimental household sample data.

• WEAI India: Methodology and Adaptations:

  The study in India, conducted as part of the TARINA program, surveyed 3,600 households using a two-phase methodology. Adaptations in WEAI India include modifications in sub-indicators related to party membership, income management, and credit access. The adequacy criterion for sub-values was adjusted to suit the Indian agricultural landscape.

• Conclusion:

  Women's empowerment in Indian agriculture is a multifaceted endeavor, and the application of WEAI provides valuable insights into the challenges and adaptations required for effective implementation. The study emphasizes the need for clear, contextual, and sector-specific empowerment initiatives. By tailoring the index to specific agricultural practices, WEAI India offers a nuanced understanding of women's empowerment, contributing to the ongoing discourse on gender equality in agriculture.