Empowerment of Rural and Urban Women in West Bengal A Case Study in Birbhum District

Abstract: Over 200 million women are employed across all industry sectors, with half of this number in developing countries. Their work makes a significant contribution to economic progress [1]. Previously, they were low-skilled and poorly paid. However, today we recognise that the creativity and talents of all women are an invaluable resource, which can and should be developed both for their self-realisation and for the benefit of society. Women have traditionally played an essential role in the small and medium-scale enterprise sector. Improving their efficiency and introducing new techniques can therefore yield significant benefits for women, including increased income and job creation. Women's empowerment also helps to reduce poverty in our country by making women economically independent. Women's empowerment thus helps in national development. The researcher expects that the study's findings will shed light on the scenario of women's empowerment in the district of Birbhum, West Bengal.