An assessment of land rights utilization for the empowerment of rural women

The purpose of this study is to identify and explore about the impact of the land rights utilization for the empowerment of rural women especially with respect to Tamil Nadu. Land rights equity is considered to be the most important tool for encouraging empowerment and financial wellbeing for women in developing regions. Around the world, gender-based discrimination is considered as most common form of disadvantage which affects land rights equity. Most of people are aware about this fact but it was not rectified for further improvements. Land rights of women are most important as it paves a way for sustainable livelihoods and also assures food security. Women are facing lot of difficulties in accessing land rights although it is widely recognized as most important for the development of women.Recognizing and securing land rights of women are vital to improve the women empowerment and their welfare. This study has been conducted through the both primary and secondary data which means it uses literature study as secondary data and both quantitative and qualitative research as primary data in order to deal with land rights utilization for the empowerment of rural women. This research adapts descriptive research design and also incorporated purposive and judgemental sampling for choosing the respondents. For quantitative research, survey was conducted by providing closed ended questionnaires to 415 respondents (Rural women involved in agriculture of the two districts, Thiruvannamalai and Salem of Tamil Nadu). For qualitative study, interview is conducted with 12 respondents (4 BC women, 6 SC women, 1 ST and 1 MBC woman). The results of the study are to be analyzed with techniques. The results of the study reveal that, land rights have ability to enhance the level of food security and nutrition of women, socio-cultural capital, economical capital and political empowerment. The study concludes that, rural women create major and various contributions to the nation including accomplishment of nutrition and food security, sustainable use of land, and decision making process in agricultural sector. Lack of land rights not only reduces women's autonomy and voice, but also affects their self-esteem and their wellbeing. Thus, this study recommends empowering women is most important for increased well-being and effective growth of children and also for long-standing socio-economic development and reduced poverty for future generation.