Women,Sericulture and Empowerment

Abstract

This article examines the impact of livelihood oriented sericultural service provision for small and medium holding farmers on gender relationships and socio-economic empowerment. Women have gained many entitlements including asset possession, work participation, decision-making, access to resources such as credit, land and market and participation in local civic bodies. While the growth in the production of silk has contributed towards more sustainable livelihoods, it has not translated into enhanced empowerment. Though the conditions of life and work available to women in sericulture are better as compared to women in many other work groups, it is seen they are not able to completely break away gender barriers and lead a completely empowered life due to prevailing socio-economic barriers including traditions, customs and patriarchy.