THE IMPACT OF CSR INITIATIVES ON WOMEN EMPOWERMENT IN INDIA AND ROLE OF E-COMMERCE IN INDUSTRY

Abstract

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has developed as an important vehicle for fostering equitable and sustainable development in India, particularly since the Companies Act of 2013 made CSR expenditure mandatory for companies that were eligible for the program. One of the many areas of intervention that has become a critical priority is the empowerment of women. This is especially true in states like Haryana, where women continue to face obstacles such as gender inequity, restricted workforce participation, and socio-cultural impediments. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact that corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives have had on the empowerment of women in Haryana. The study aims to accomplish the following objectives: to analyze the current status of women in the state; to evaluate the role that CSR has played in empowering women; to develop a framework for effective CSR intervention; and to identify barriers and opportunities in the implementation of women-centric programs. The study aims to highlight how corporate initiatives in areas such as education, healthcare, skill development, and entrepreneurship have contributed to improving women's socio-economic status. It does so by utilizing secondary data from government reports, CSR portals, and company disclosures. Additionally, the study seeks to expose gaps and challenges that hinder progress. The ultimate objective of the research is to build a strategy framework for enhancing corporate social responsibility interventions that are centered on women in order to guarantee balanced and inclusive regional development.