Women Empowerment through Co-operatives

India is the second most populous country in the world after China. According to 2011 census from India has about 1210569573 population and the women constitute about 587447730. There are about 72% of women who reside in rural areas and most of them live below the poverty line. The sex ratio is 943 females per 1000 males this skewed sex ratio between men and women has resulted in steep imbalances in the society due to the preference for the male child, patriarchal social order, lower level of education, lower level of health care among rural women, female mortality during pre and post pregnancies and other factors. There is a sharp division and discrimination based on sex and caste in society in respect of securing justice of equality, liberty, dignity and other basic rights and needs to lead a decent life in Indian society. Women empowerment includes empowerment within the family and empowerment in the society. Involvement of women in decision making, earning, sharing of basic needs and commanding respect for self is a pre-requisite to the empowerment of women in Indian society. Women are also required to participate actively in the process of development namely policy making, planning, implementing and evaluation along with their male counterpart. The raising social status of women, increasing educational opportunities, obtaining employment opportunities, sharing economic resources, raising of standard of living, active participation of women in governance and so on constitute the process of 'empowerment of women' in letter and spirit.