Empowerment of rural women through self-employment: A study with special reference to Idapadi Tuluk in Salem District

The present study examined the empowerment of women in Idapadi town of Salem District. This paper focuses in economic empowerment of several women involved in self-employment from rural area of Idapadi, Salem District. The analysis indicates that self employment not only helps the respondents to produce extra income but also enables them economically independent and self-sufficient. The study reveals that income, expenditure and savings of the respondents before and after self-employment differ significantly. Women involved in self-employment feel self satisfaction, independence and their sense of determination helps them to achieve success. The study concludes that a change has to be brought about not only in the status of women but in the attitude of the society towards them. Priority has therefore necessarily to be given to changing image of women, from a passive onlooker and recipient, to that of a positive doer and achiever. The implications of these findings and the importance of this study are discussed.