Q.5. Explain the contribution of women’s organisation in the development of Indian rural society.

Women’s organisations, particularly Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Mahila Mandals, have emerged as pivotal instruments of socio-economic change in rural India. They act as a collective voice, empowering women to move from passive recipients to active agents of development.

The key contributions of these organizations include:

• Economic Empowerment: They foster financial inclusion by promoting micro-savings and credit (microfinance). This enables women to start small enterprises in areas like handicrafts, food processing, and animal husbandry, ensuring livelihood security.
• Social Development & Awareness: These collectives are hotspots for awareness campaigns on critical issues like health, nutrition, sanitation (e.g., Swachh Bharat), and education for the girl child. They also lead social reform movements against domestic violence, dowry, and child marriage.
• Political Mobilization: They are instrumental in increasing women’s participation in local governance. They train elected women representatives in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and encourage women to actively participate in Gram Sabhas, strengthening grassroots democracy.
• Enhancing Collective Agency: As a unified body, these organizations enable women to collectively demand their rights and access government welfare schemes. This improves service delivery for water, electricity, and healthcare and strengthens their bargaining power within the community.

In conclusion, women’s organizations have been fundamental in unlocking the potential of rural women. They have not only improved economic indicators but have also fostered social change and strengthened the political fabric of rural society, making development more inclusive and sustainable.