AN EVALUATIVE STUDY OF WOMEN EMPOWERMENT STRATEGIES ADOPTED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF JAMMU & KASHMIR AND THEIR FIELD IMPLEMENTATION

Abstract

Women empowerment represents a fundamental prerequisite for sustainable socioeconomic development, yet persistent systemic inequalities, patriarchal structures, and protracted sociopolitical conflict continue to marginalize women across various regions. This research paper critically evaluates the women empowerment strategies, institutional frameworks, and welfare schemes implemented across the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir by key governmental bodies, specifically the Jammu & Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI), Jammu & Kashmir Women's Development Corporation (JKWDC), Jammu & Kashmir Social Welfare Department (JKSWD), and the Jammu & Kashmir State Women's Commission. Employing a mixed-methods evaluative framework combining primary survey data from 40 service providers and 360 beneficiaries across multiple districts with secondary administrative records, this study investigates two primary objectives: (1) identifying key institutional women empowerment strategies, and (2) evaluating their implementation efficacy, budgetary allocations, and socio-economic outcomes. The empirical findings reveal that while targeted credit schemes, skill development initiatives, and social security pensions have significantly enhanced household income, financial independence, and self-efficacy among female beneficiaries, structural bottlenecks such as protracted loan sanctioning processes, rigid collateral/guarantee requirements, and inadequate grassroots monitoring constrain optimal institutional productivity. The paper concludes with policy recommendations emphasizing continuous monitoring systems, streamlined financial disbursement, and enhanced vocational alignment.