Livelihood security of women in the village economy of Orissa | |
| Author | Das, Banishree |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.RD-05-02 |
| Subject(s) | Indian women employees Women--Employment--India |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | This is a micro level explanatory study which adequately focuses on livelihood security of women in the village Economy of Orissa . It is based upon a primary survey of 90 households of two villages, selected purposively. The economy of both the villages centers around agriculture where as the second village has higher occupational diversification towards various non farm activities. It identifies the crucial variables that influence the livelihood pattern among both land-owning and labour-selling class of sample women .The study aims at examining: a) the village economy and ownership pattern of productive assets, b) the distribution of workforce by gender in different farm and non farm sectors of the villages c) the employment potentials and off farm opportunities for women in the village. It is found that majority of the farmers of both villages belong to the category of marginal farmers, and landless agricultural labourers. Agricultural operations are mostly done by men. Off farm activities are mostly done by women. The seasonal and disguised unemployment is very high in both the villages. The male-female wage differential is higher in the farm sector of both the villages. There is no inter village difference in male work participation rate. But the work participation rate among female is inversely connected with agricultural productivity. The findings reveal that the higher caste households used to lease out their land to landless farmers or marginal farmers. People have high propensity to carry out non farm activities due to: (a) low agricultural productivity (b) land availability per household (LPH) (c) higher percentage of upland and wasteland. The dependency ratio is higher among higher caste and rich households. Due to many social constraints and traditional values, the women belonging to higher caste and rich landowning class are compelled to remain as housewives. They run the risk of higher livelihood insecurity with worst fallback position. Awareness and poverty among people encourage them to supplement their farm income and diversify their livelihood base. The orchard plantation, fishery, applique, candle making and agarbati-making constitute a sustainable source of supplementary livelihood of the people. The structure of landed property varies but the structure of non productive household assets does not vary according to the village category. The occupational diversified village has lower average income than the agricultural village due to: (a) lesser irrigation facility (b) lower size of land holding and (c) low income from non farm activities. However, occupational diversification is not the reason of lower income. Correspondingly, level of expenditure and saving are lower in the occupational diversified village. Livelihood options of the people are directly and indirectly related with market mechanism. The contractual arrangement in the non farm activities involves exploitation of the women workers. The gender divisions of labour are socially rigid in the villages. Higher literacy among the people motivates the people to face the challenge and diversify their livelihood base in the village economy. Lower educational status and village tradition and caste system are the main constraining factors for village women in availing employment opportunities and carrying out non farm activities. The main findings of the study can be used as inputs for development practitioners, the policy makers, social activists and donor agencies for the effective implementation of different projects. The study brings out the policy implications and ends with an appropriate policy framework for promoting livelihood security of women in the villages. |
| Year | 2005 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Rural Development, Gender and Resources (RD) |
| Chairperson(s) | Routray, Jayant K. |
| Examination Committee(s) | Amin, A. T. M. Nurul ;Resurreccion, Bernadette |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Government of the Netherlands |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2005 |