A Study on Rural Women's Empowerment Determinants Using Interpretive Structural Modeling

Abstract

Gender equality and social status can be improved with the empowerment of women, and this holds good for rural women as well. The primary objective of this study is to attempt to examine the determinants of empowerment of rural women's empowerment, analyse the leadership and governing criteria, and establish the hierarchical relationship structure between them. A relationship between the determinants is to be built to understand priorities, and to ascertain the driving force and power of the enablers in terms of dependence. The Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM) technique, which is a well-established methodology, is used to identify relationships among specific items and defines  problems or issues. It is observed from the results of the test that the ability to make small purchases, buy and sell cattle, and secure an education is characteristic of independent enablers. Linkage enablers include economic /monetary security, interacting effectively in the public sphere, and participating in non-family groups. Determinants such as the decision- making power in the household, involvement in major decisions, house repairs, social learning and mobility including visiting banks, bazaars in the locality, hospitals, and relatives/friends' places - are categorised as ddependent enablers, while autonomous enablers have no determinants.