Mission Shakti and the Empowerment of Rural Women in Odisha: Integrating Diversity,Equity and Inclusion

Abstract

The article examines the transformative role of the Government of Odisha’s Mission Shakti programme in advancing rural women’s empowerment through self-help groups (SHGs) across the selected KBK districts: Kalahandi, Balangir, Koraput and Subarnapur. Anchored in the theoretical frameworks of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and literature on social capital, the research adopts a mixed-methods design that integrates quantitative assessments with qualitative case studies. Empowerment is analysed across social, economic, political and psychological dimensions, supported by both field data and participatory insights from SHG members. A Women’s Empowerment Index (WEI) was developed to gauge inter-district variations and the depth of empowerment outcomes. The findings reveal substantial progress in social participation and political representation, while economic and psychological empowerment remain uneven due to constraints such as financial illiteracy, limited market access and entrenched socio-cultural norms. The study concludes that effective empowerment under Mission Shakti necessitates strengthening institutional capacities, promoting inclusive participation and fostering livelihood diversification. Integrating DEI principles within SHG frameworks can further enhance the inclusivity and sustainability of women’s empowerment in rural Odisha.