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Womens Economic Empowerment and Domestic Violence: Evidence from the Indian State of Kerala
Domestic violence is a serious issue that affects countless women around the world. Kerala boasts an admirable history of high literacy rates, good health and sanitation standards, low infant mortality rates and impressive average life expectancy. Despite these advancements, enduring social problems such as gender discrimination and domestic violence still exist. Over the last two decades, domestic violence has been a significant issue for women in Kerala. The basic objective of this study is to assess the impact of womens economic empowerment on domestic violence. This study employed stratified sampling methods to gather household-level data using pre-designed questionnaires. The study found a weak link between economic empowerment and domestic violence. Womens education and husbands characteristics, notably alcohol usage, have a significant impact. This emphasises the importance of interventions that promote collaborative decision-making in order to combat domestic abuse effectively. 2026 selection and editorial matter, Samapti Guha and Chirodip Majumdar; individual chapters, the contributors. All rights reserved. -
WOMEN'S SENSE OF BELONGING: MODERATING ECONOMIC, SOCIOCULTURAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ON COMMUNITY-BASED TOURISM DEVELOPMENT
Despite the tremendous development in the literature on sustainable tourism, the focus remains especially on government regulation and international cooperation. As will be seen, the present study is rare in adopting a bottom-up approach that focuses on the perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs of the communities. Therefore, this study aims to explore the positive impacts of community-based tourism, including economic, sociocultural, and environmental factors, on sustainable tourism development. Furthermore, it investigates the moderating role of women's sense of belonging in such relationships. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was adopted to analyze the survey results from 183 Omani women. The participants were selected via convenience sampling, therefore facilitating efficient data gathering over the course of the investigation. Convenience sampling was approved given the exploratory nature of the study and the need to gain understanding from a particular demographic group - Omani women - who significantly participate in community and tourism-related activities in Oman. Data gathering ran from January 21 to the end of February 2024. The authors and research assistants distributed the questionnaires to local markets, cultural institutions, university students and community gatherings, among other places, in order to get a diverse sample of Omani women. The study findings illustrate that economic and environmental variables significantly influence sustainable tourism development within the community-based tourism framework; however, sociocultural aspects show a lesser association. Interestingly, women's sense of belonging functions as a crucial moderating factor, amplifying the positive outcomes of economic and environmental factors on tourism sustainability. The results of the study considerably progress the theoretical knowledge of community-based tourism (CBT) by defining the complex connections between economic, social, and environmental components as well as the moderating function of a feeling of belonging (PS). This research delivers important practical uses to policymakers and tourist planners as well as community leaders in Oman who aim to develop community-based tourism. Environmental stewardship holds significant importance because its positive moderation effects strengthen the connection between ENV and STD, according to study findings. 2025 Editura Universitatii din Oradea. All rights reserved. -
Women's Empowerment, Mindfulness, and Role of Women in Eradicating Alcohol and Drug Addiction from Indian Society
Womens empowerment and self-help groups are functional and successful in India in most instances; it is possible to improve them further by incorporating quality parameters in the various training programs. Most of the locally organized skill-training by different empowerment cells operates effectively. Training and operating procedures must be devised to ensure that self-help groups meet international standards for their products. The training is often held in remote locations, making it difficult for the facilitator to visit and provide instruction. There must be established criteria for selecting trainers and a planned curriculum for training. There is a social impediment in the overall empowerment process; one of the social evils is drug and alcohol addiction and specific cultural and societal norms. Women can help to curtail such societal problems, and the Naga Mothers Association has made an impact in reducing addiction in Indian society. The Naga Mothers Association is doing an excellent job of reducing addiction; however, their work needs to be supported by legislative provisions. Similar to the Naga Mothers Association, the womens wing of the Koch Rajbongshi student union has been able to mobilize and disseminate information about the ill effects of addiction among its community members. This paper argues that mindfulness, a concept of Buddhist origin, is necessary to effect revolutionary change. Mindfulness and compassion are the keys to resolving the issue, but reflection is also an essential component of the practice of mindfulness and compassion. The leaders of these womens associations are playing a pivotal role in helping to eradicate social evils and addiction from Indian society. One of the most critical components is mindfulness of the current situation and circumstances and making decisions accordingly. 2022,Journal of International Women''s Studies. All Rights Reserved. -
Women's empowerment within the tourism industry: Risk assessment and mitigation strategies for solo women travellers
Travelling is essential for maintaining one's happiness and mental wellness. Tourism is a job providing industry and huge contributions to economic growth, and many studies have been undertaken to determine who is attracted to tourism. Surprisingly, women take a major stand in the tourism industry. The purpose of this study is to examinefemale solo travelers' risk assessment and their mitigation strategies by investigating online travel blogs. Therefore, the study aims at assessment of risk such as physical risk, destination-specific risk, and financial risk faced by solo women travellers by considering and analyz- ing online women travellers' blog narratives. These narratives from online travel blogs pertaining to Indian solo female travellers are considered in this study. Hence, this assessment gives an opportunity to know how to stay safe in uncertain situations and also mitigation strategies to stay alert. The result of the study indicates the various risks faced by solo female travel and mitigation strategies for promotion of more female travellers. 2023, IGI Global. All rights reserved. -
Women's empowerment through the silk industry of Assam, India, and its underlying economy
In the medieval era, the Royal families of Assam, India produced Muga silk fabrics. During the time of the Koch Dynasty (Historical Koch Country), Muga silk from ancient Pragjyotishpur and Koch Behar became an integral part of the trade with Bengal, Bhutan, Tibet, and the Mughals. Most households in Assam weave cloth and every girl child in the household acquires weaving skills at a very young age from her mother. In Sualkuchi, a town in Assam, there are approximately 6,872 female weavers. These weavers are very concerned about the preservation of traditional handloom weaving as they feel that over time the skills required for this could disappear. They feel that they are unable to work as efficiently in their old age as they had in their youth. The automated machine seems to be a sign of hope for them, but at the same time, they have a strong attachment to the traditional handlooms. Quite recently, the traders have started procuring traditional garments manufactured from cloth made by automated machines. This is a threat to the local weavers since these garments are sold at a lower price, and this poses a challenge to the traditional handloom fabrics of Assam. A sustainable model needs to be incorporated to improve the conditions of the local weavers. The introduction of modern techniques and business strategies will help to empower the weavers. Muga is a noninflammable, anti-bacterial, natural, lustrous gold fabric which absorbs UV rays from sunlight. Pat silk is hypoallergenic, and it contains sericin, which reduces allergic reactions in the skin. Eri is antifungal, and this makes it a unique fabric for face masks, baby clothes, undergarments, blankets, quilts, medical uses, mosquito nets or special attire to protect one from UV rays, fungus, bacteria, and insects. The full range of the unique qualities of the fabrics of Assam should be widely publicized to increase the consumer demand for these handlooms. The area also has the potential to make castor oil out of the castor plant (Ricinus Communis Linn), which is a fed to the Eri Silkworm. 2020 Journal of International Women's Studies. -
Women's contributions to business growth and innovation in startups: Agile business
This chapter delineates the significance of women in innovation and growth as founders and leaders in the startup ecosystem. Agile environments require female entrepreneurship and leadership, offering distinct views, a spirit of cooperation, and flexibility; therefore, these are desirable attributes for business success during its highest uncertainty and optimal high-growth periods. Case studies of womenled startups have been analyzed in consideration of their inabilities to innovate, diversify, and lead through inclusive leadership to face market uncertainties and scale effectively. It shares some of the challenges women meet while trying to access venture capital and networks and gives strategies to overcome such pitfalls. This chapter gives an account of how gender, innovation, and agile methodologies intersect, thus underpinning empowerment of women in startups to cultivate competitive advantage and sustainable growth, thus developing a diverse and resilient entrepreneurial landscape. 2025, IGI Global Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved. -
WOMEN, EDUCATION AND EMPOWERMENT: A STUDY IN RURAL KARNATAKA
In most of the developing countries education among women has been accorded a low priority. The norms of gender behaviour and the perceived domestic and reproductive role of women which was remarkable stable over a period of time have adversely affected the womens education. In addition, forces like negative social attitude, prejudices, restrictions and beliefs also contributed to keep women out of education field. The only goal placed before a woman was to train themselves to be good housewives. It was only after Independence that female education gained importance and led to changing traditional attitudes within family and the society. However, the fact that one amongst the major and fundamental problem for women in India is the high percentage (75%) of illiteracy. A considerable literacy gap still exists between men and women even after 65 years from Independence. As a result, women have been exploited and deprived of their rights and prevented from the process of empowerment. In Indian society, gender bias is compounded by discrimination and prevents women from receiving the education, access to training, health services and so on. Hence, it is imperative to study the educational status of women with respect to the factors contributing and to assess the level of empowerment on some selected domains as a result of education that they pursued. The present study is one amongst such modest attempts to understand the interrelationship between education and empowerment among women, particularly in rural areas. A total of 170 women from Dimbala of Kolar District in Karnataka were selected. All they were approached with the help of a Structured Interview Schedule. Generalization arrived through the study has been discussed in this Dissertation along with some important findings to find the possible means to empower women through education. -
Women on the Board of Indian It Companies: Are They Audible and Visible?
Gender disparity on the board of Indian IT companies is a continuing saga despite the Indian Companies Act, 2013 mandating at least one-woman director in the executive position of public listed companies. Women in India are leaders of varied sectors of businesses and on top leadership positions except in IT companies. This study has found that 14 out of 25 leading IT companies in India has, got not more than two women on the board of directors. It has also been found that the reasons for said nomination are due to the statutory compulsion to have women on board. Information technology companies are responsible for innovation, business growth, transformation and diversification. Strategic leadership is the key for IT companies to achieve the above-stated objectives. Inclusiveness in the economic reforms is possible when women are given adequate representation in entrepreneurship and leadership positions in all sectors of industries. This study aims at examining the causes of the inadequate representation of women in Indian IT companies. Paper has examined the following issues to analyse the above-stated proposition: (a) How far the Indian IT industry has contributed to the empowerment of Indian women? (b) Whether the employment terms and recruitment policies of IT companies are sufficient to ensure the security of tenure and promotion to women employees and do it incentives women employees contribution towards innovation in their respective companies? (c) What are the factors contributing to women taking up leadership positions in Non-IT Industries? (d) Whether family commitments are the reasons for women in the IT sector to decline leadership positions or whether male domination is a cause for women to be backward in IT companies leadership positions? (e) Should mandatory reservation of adequate percentage of seats for women in administration be uniformly applied also for employment of women in the IT sector and how far the practice followed in developed jurisdictions need to be incorporated under the Indian law? Enrolment of women in IT and business education is on par with their counterparts. Since women occupying leadership positions is negligible, the paper examines the challenges and proposes solutions to ensure gender equitable reforms in the leadership roles of Indian IT companies. Data related to board composition and shareholding patterns of Indian IT companies are looked into and analysed to identify whether women possess capital or management control in the Indian IT companies. To critique the role of women in other sectors of employment with that of the IT companies, data collected from the National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) and Indian government-sponsored schemes are considered. The data are also collected from various sources such as Sustainability Reports of Wipro, Infosys, HCL, Dell, Accenture, Tata, Human Development Index (HDI), United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA). The data compiled reflect the factors that affect womens career progression in the Indian IT sector. This study has found that there is an absolute imbalance in terms of gender diversity on the boards of Indian IT companies. Reasons for the same are as follows: 1. Women who have excelled in technological education are not willing to take up leadership positions in IT companies due to the challenges and risks involved in this specific sector, 2. Family commitments and health issues are not conducive for women to dedicate the required time in managing corporate boards of IT companies, 3. Joint families and a patriarchal Indian system limits woman to undertake employment, 4. Women with liberal outlook and merit are not preferred as a choice by male leaders of IT companies due to the fact that they never want to be led by women, 5. The upskilling programmes organized by IT companies to their women employees are not sufficiently focused to promote women to leadership positions and 6. Excess share qualification for directorship prescribed by listed public companies is an impediment for women to be considered for executive positions. Paper suggests strategies and policies for the promotion of women employees to executive positions and ensuring the disclosure of diversity of corporate boards as a prerequisite to listing its shares. Secondly, it proposes to amend Companies Act, 2013 to prescribe a higher number of mandatory appointments of women on board to make it mandatory for women to be part of committees of the board mandated under the Companies Act. Thirdly, it proposes that the B-Schools admission policies should increase the intake of women candidates for management programmes so that they would possess the adequate competency to govern corporate boards of Indian IT companies. 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. -
Women influencers in e-commerce: Shaping the future for high-end products
Industry 5.0 represents a transformative shift in industrial practices, merging advanced technologies with human-centered approaches. This evolution emphasizes personalization, ethical considerations, and enhanced consumer experiences in e-commerce. Social media platforms, such as Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, have revolutionized brand engagement by enabling targeted advertising, community building, and real-time interaction. Women influencers play a crucial role in this new landscape, using their personal brands to drive consumer trust and loyalty. They create authentic content and promote diverse, inclusive narratives. As e-commerce adapts to Industry 5.0, integrating technological advancements with a focus on human values and ethical practices becomes essential for business success and consumer satisfaction. 2025, IGI Global Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved. -
Women in tourism: Gender bias and constraints
Tourism could be spending time away from home in search of leisure, relaxation, and pleasure while utilizing the commercial provision of services. The capacity of tourism to improve livelihoods by re- ducing poverty, guarantee or enhance environmental sustainability, and promote gender equality and women's empowerment are some of its strongestpoints. "Women's empowerment" can mean a variety of things, such as respecting women's opinion, making an effort to find them, and improving women's status through training, awareness, and education. They may have the chance to redefine gender norms and other similar roles, giving them more flexibility to pursue their objectives. The main aim of the chapter is to identify the major challenges faced by women in the tourism sector, the ways to overcome constraints, gender stereotypes, and the social stigmas while they juggle between multiple responsibili- ties. With this chapter, the authors aim to gain more knowledge more specifically on how women can be empowered in the tourism and hospitality sector. 2023, IGI Global. All rights reserved. -
Women in STEM: Act beyond enrolment
While India boasts of a rising proportion of female STEM graduates, their participation in tech sector jobs remains low. This and other Asian examples show focusing on enrolment is ineffective in boosting equality without parallel efforts to dismantle workplace hurdles -
Women in security services: a (post)feminist reading of Lt Col Nitisha v Union of India
The role of women in Indian security services was debated in the recent judgement, Lt Col Nitisha v Union of India. The Supreme Court invalidated the impugned selection criteria and their retrospective application upon female staff as instances of indirect discrimination. This case note identifies three major implications regarding the gendered nature of the debate. Firstly, the Courts findings reveal that the government adopted certain strategic modes of postfeminist governmentality to utilize the discourse of women empowerment for departmental ends. Secondly, popular readings of the judgement risk being reduced to postfeminist cultural sensibilities, which romanticize individualistic agency and manufacture isolated struggling heroes to eventually dull the cross-sectoral feminist solidarity. Lastly, the Courts progressive doctrinal turn still construed women officials as mere employees-beneficiaries mostly claiming careerist interests. It abandoned any holistic appraisal of the role of women in military service, thereby articulating an impoverished account of female agency, dignity, and personhood. 2025 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis. -
Women in higher education institutions: Challenges faced by women in HEI and emerging opportunities
A multitasking Queen plays a heterogeneous role in each and everyone 's tremendous journey of life right from the beginning until the end. As a wife, mother, sister, daughter, mentor, philosopher, friend, lover, and most importantly, 'first teacher', her contributions are noteworthy. Nobody can even dream up life without a woman. Women are capable enough in learning, teaching, and sustenance throughout their life. The art of learning and teaching encompasses the art of living. As a teacher, she is a source of inspiration, knowledge, and reason for the future. The first smile, step, voice, and any word are being routed by the first teacher called mother cum woman. This chapter explores women in higher education institutions. 2022, IGI Global. All rights reserved. -
Women human rights defenders
[No abstract available] -
Women Entrepreneurs: A Study of Psychological Well-being and Empowerment in Indian Social Context
Entrepreneurship is differentiated by decision-making ability, competition, economic gains, autonomy, and socioeconomic settings that provide a foundation for an individual to strive and run a venture in a highly competitive environment. In the present context, this study examines the relationship between empowerment and the psychological well-being of women entrepreneurs. This study attempted to analyze the various aspects of psychological well-being responsible for women's entrepreneurship. Exploratory design and regression analysis were used for the study. The study found that only purpose in life, personal growth and positive societal relations are significant psychological factors that influence women empowerment amongst women entrepreneurs in India. The results confirm a significant relationship between empowerment and the psychological well-being of women entrepreneurs in India. This research is apt in the present time as entrepreneurial ventures are considered to be the most critical factors that would help both urban and rural populations through the creation of jobs, rescue them from unemployment and poverty, and thereby have an impact on the development of skills, self-esteem, and self-sufficiency of women. 2023, Institute of Economic Sciences. All rights reserved. -
Women entrepreneurs vs. women employees: a comparative study of personality traits and success factors of women in India
In the current study, the researchers evaluate the relationship between personality traits, as defined by the Big Five personality traits, and success factors of women: as entrepreneurs and employees. The findings are based on data collected from 100 women employees and 100 women entrepreneurs. Data was collected using structured questionnaires and analysed using IBM SPSS. The findings suggest that there are statistically significant differences between women entrepreneurs and women employees on certain dimensions of personality. The evaluation of the relationship between the personality traits and success factors revealed that in the case of entrepreneurs, personality traits were significant in predicting success. As nations work to improve gender ratios in the labour force and as the number of women entrepreneurs grows, a better understanding of what constitutes success and the factors that could influence success are critical in supporting female participation in the economy, as entrepreneurs and employees. Copyright 2024 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. -
Women entrepreneurs and the struggle for balance: Navigating work and life challenges
This chapter "Challenges Faced by Women Entrepreneurs: Balancing Work and Life" examines the major challenges faced by female entrepreneurs in juggling their personal and professional obligations. It draws attention to how institutional limitations, cultural norms, and socioeconomic issues make it more difficult for them to maintain a healthy work-life balance. High performance standards that lead to stress and burnout, financial strains from gender inequalities in funding, and restricted access to childcare and elder care services are some of the main obstacles. The significance of social support networks in reducing work-related stress and improving general wellbeing is emphasized in the text. It advocates for supportive organizational practices and policy reforms to empower women entrepreneurs, fostering an environment that promotes gender equity. In order to enable women to succeed in their personal and professional endeavors and so support social and economic advancement, the text ultimately urges a concentrated effort to address these issues. 2025, IGI Global Scientific Publishing. -
Women empowerment through community-based organisations in rural Karnataka
Women empowerment is an active multidimensional process to enable women to realize their identity and power in all spheres of life. Self Help Groups (SHGs) have played a significant role in women's empowerment. Through the SHGs, the dreams and desires of women came into reality. The current study examines women's empowerment through community-based organisations in rural Karnataka (Hoskote, Jamkhandi and Kolar). The chapter aims to determine the impact of SHGs on rural women's lives and whether it contributes to women's empowerment. The chapter follows a mixed-method research design. Thirty well-performing SHGs from three Centre for Social Action (CSA) project sites in rural Karnataka, namely Hoskote, Jamkhandi and Kolar, were considered for this chapter. A simple random sampling technique was used. Ten members from each SHG were selected, and three hundred SHG women samples were recruited. Responses from the samples were collected using pre-designed questionnaires. The results state that there is a well-evident improvement in women's economic, social, familial and political status after joining the SHG. The chapter concludes that SHG has caused significant change and development in women's socio-economic, familial and political life in rural Karnataka. 2024 Nova Science Publishers, Inc. -
Women empowerment in India: Are we on the right track?
Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have attracted the continued attention of national governments, international bodies, private organizations, civil societies, and NGOs. ICT has the potential to act as an influential method for promoting gender equality and social-economic and political empowerment of women. The chapter describes a number of ICT-backed initiatives in different countries targeted towards various concerns of women such as health, education, violence, governance, income, etc. It demonstrates the ability of ICT for empowering women especially those belonging to the marginalized group. This chapter examines the key challenges including technical, social, and economic to the usage of ICT for women's development as well as suggests initiatives for initiatives for national governments, policy makers, and organizations focusing on the issue of women empowerment. 2023, IGI Global. -
Women at work: The cultural and creative industries
[No abstract available]