Impact of MGNREGA on the Social Aspects of Shariya Scheduled Tribe’s Women in Madhya Pradesh

Abstract

The current world population estimated in the year of 2018 is 7.60 billion (Worldmeters) where women make up about half of the world’s population i.e. about 49.55 percent (WHO). If one half of population of world would disintegrate from mainstream of development of any country or state, then it would definitely adversely effect to the upcoming generation. Discrimination against women is quite common in whole world and very intense in the country of India due to its old norms and traditions, Hindu religion, patriarchal nature of society, poverty and caste system etc (Shuani). India got independence from British rule on 15^th August 1947, but still today India is very backward in case of economy, women equality, poverty illiteracy, unemployment, women equality and so on. Crime against women is quite often in India in terms of rape, dowry, forced prostitution, sexual harassment, sex selective abortions and domestic violence etc.

 To improve the status of women, 17 major schemes were implemented by India between 1970 to 2000 such as Self employment generation programmes like- Training for Rural Youth in Self-employment, Integrated Rural Development Programme etc. Along with this, Employment Programmes were also implemented like-Jawahar Rozgar Yojana, Rural Landless Employment Guarantee Programme etc (Annual Report, 2006-07). Accordingly Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employent Guarantee Act was passes in  the year of 2005 which was aimed to create productive assets under its permissible works, to reduce rural-urban migration, create a more equitable social order and to empower the women etc. Under MGNREGA there are some provisions given to women such as work given withion 1.5 Km. radius, worksite facilities such as cheche, sanitation, shed etc., 1/3^rd place is reserved for women etc (MoRD, MGNREGA Sameeksha 2006-12). On the other hand, there were some limitations and challenges for women empowerment such as low wage and low continuity in payments, limitation in case of job-availability, absence of worksite facilities etc. through this research paper we have tried to assess the impact of MGNREGA on the social aspects of Shariya Scheduled Tribe’s women which are called as Adivasi women. The area of research was Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh where a majority of Shariya Adivasis resides over there. The methodology adopted to complete the study was structured-interview schedule and it is a descriptive study.