Study of Socio-Economic Background of Women

In the Indian context, balanced development was considered the main objective of our national planning, soon after Independence. While Indian planning has been successful to some extent especially in areas such as public health, science and technology, industrial growth and agricultural production, there is much to be done still. The concept of 'Development' refers to a range of activities from individual self-realization and self-assertion to participation or involvement in projects in a functional sense, to the credit over decisions regarding all aspects of one's life and livelihood. As per the 2011 census, women constituted about 48 per cent of the total population of the country. In India, the Government has been implementing various schemes for socio-economic advancement and development of women in the country. Presently women are increasingly seen as an active agents of change: the dynamic promoters of social and transformations that can alter the lives of both men and women'. Hence, women are included in the development process and in that process, Self-Help Group has been instrumental in increasing incomes and assets as well and it has become a valid means and mechanism for increasing productivity of the poor.