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 selfemployment programmes. The national commission on selfemployed women for national development, recommended for the establishment of various programmes like IRDP, STEP, TRYSEM, DWACRA, Mahila pranganm. **Research Scholar, Department University, Visakhapatnam. of Economics, Andhra 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 underpaid. 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 975 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, communicaties. besides the economically backward 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-. Table- Age -wise distribution of women beneficiaries in DMSVK. s.n o Name of the Below 20 2- district years years 26-30 years 3 and Total above Srikakulam 2 Vizainagara m Visakhapatn am 9 (9.0) 7 (7.0) 7 (7.0) 23 (7.6) 5 (5.0) 2 (2.0) 9 (9.0) 6 (5.3) 3 34 (34.0) 66 (66.0) 27 (27.0) 27 (42.3) 52 (52.0) (.0) 57 (57.0) 34 (44.6) 00 00 00 300 Source: computed from primary data The age composition pattern of the selected respondents reveals that 47 percent are in the age group of 2- 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 3and 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, percent are in the age group of 2- years, 7 percent are in the age group 26-30years and only 2 percent are in the age group of 3 and above year. In Visakhapatnam district majority 57 percent are in the age group of 2- years, 27 percent are in the age group of below 20 years, 9 percent in the age group of 3 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 2- 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 3 and above year. It is interesting to note that majority of the sample trainees belong to the 2- 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 Srikakulam 2 Vizainagaram 3 Visakhapatnam Primary education 26 (26.00) 49 (49.00) (.00) 76(.00) Secondary education 26 (26.00) 49 (49.00) 43 (43.00) 08(36.00) Higher education 74 (74.00) 5 (5.00) 56 (56.00) 8(27.00) Total 00 (00.00 00 (00.00) 00 (00.00) 300 (00.00) Source: computed from primary data 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 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, 08 beneficiaries have secondary education and 8 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
2349-7408 ISSN : in 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 district Srikakulam 2 Vizainagaram 3 visakhapatnam the OC BC SC ST (.00) 4 (4.00) 20 (20.00) 45 (5.00) 32 (32.00) 30 (30.00) 2 (2.00) 83 (27.6) 56 (56.00) 46 (46.00) 3 (3.00) 33 (44.00) (.00) 0 (0.00) 28 (28.00) 39 (3.00) 00 00 00 300 (00.00) Source: computed from primary data In terms of percentages 5 belong to OCs, 27.6 belong to BC category, 44 belong to SCs and 3 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), 4 percent by OCs and 0 percent by STs is found. In Visakhapatnam is also found the same trend like that more percentage by SCs (3), followed by STs (28), 2 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 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 Marital status district Married Un married Srikakulam 43 57 00 (43.00) (57.00) (00.00) 2 Vizainagaram 35 65 00 (35.00) (65.00) (00.00) 3 visakhapatnam 7 83 00 (7.00) (83.00) (00.00) 95 205 300 (3.66) (68.3) (00.00) Source: computed from primary data 4
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 7 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 Housing status district Kutcha Semi pucca Srikakulam 7 42 (7.00) (42.00) 2 Vizainagaram 7 47 (7.00) (47.00) 3 visakhapatnam 33 (.00) (33.00) 5(5.00) 22(40.06) Total pucca 5 (5.00) 46 (46.00) 36 (36.00) 33(44.3) 00 (00.00) 00 (00.00) 00 (00.00) 300 (00.00) Source: computed from primary data 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 (5 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 percent in kutcha houses. In the 43
2349-7408 VOLUME, ISSUE, AUGUST 204 ISSN : 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
2349-7408 ISSN : Table-6 Employment -wise distribution of women beneficiaries in DMSVK S. Name of the N district O 2 3 srikakulam Before training Domesti c work House Wife 3 7 (4.3) (5.6) vizianagaram 23 (0.3) (7.6) Visakhapatnam 0 5 (0.00) (.6) 4 45 (4.6) (5.00) Source: computed from primary data After training tailarin g studen t (3.6) 4 (4.6) 8 (2.6) 33 (.00 59 (9.6) 62 (20.6) 87 (29) 208 (69.3) 45 Fashion technolog y tailorin g Dress making garmets Compu ter course 00 00 00 300
The women undergoing training have come from different occupational back ground. Out of 300 beneficiaries before joining in the training 4 (4.6 percent) are having domestic work as the occupations, before training beneficiaries are house wifes. followed by 45(5.00percent) 33( percent) beneficiaries are having tailoring. Remaining 208 beneficiaries are students. Among the three districts, large number of beneficiaries 59(9.6 percent) are students and lower number of beneficiaries (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 person is placed under domestic work. Similarly Visakhapatnam, the large number of beneficiaries 87 (29 percent) are students and lower number of beneficiaries 5 (.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
2349-7408 ISSN : Table-7 Income- wise distribution of women beneficiaries in DMSVK. Before joining DMSVK Below 0002000Above Rs 2000 3000 3000 000 srikakulam 4 29 32 35 (4.00) (29.00) (32.00) (35.00) 2 vizianagaram 2 9 35 46 (2.00) (9.00) (35.00) (46.00) 3 Visakhapatnam 8 2 28 43 (8.00) (2.00 (28.00) (43.00) 4 69 95 24 (4.6) (23.00) (3.6) (4.3) Source: computed from primary data S.no Name of district the 48 After joining DMSVK Below 0002000Above 000 2000 3000 3000 5 (5.00) 0 (0.00) 3 (3.00) 8 (2.6) 00 8 (8.00) (.00) 4 (4.00) 57 (9.00) 35 (35.00) 30 (30.00) 37 (37.00) 02 (34.00) 42 (42.00) 45 (45.00) 59 (59.00) 46 (48.66) 00 00 300
The above table reveals that the income earned by the respondents, 4 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 000-2000 and only 5 percent respondents in the income group of below 000 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 000, 9 percent of the respondents fall in the income group of 000-2000, 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