Unveiling Interplay Between Physical and Digital Barriers to Program Access and Women Empowerment

Abstract

Bihar is a dynamic society with a considerable influence on the Indian policy framework due to the presence of Bihari settlers covering almost all regions of the country and abroad due to the opportunity deficit in Bihar. To address developmental lags and implementation challenges for women empowerment through a sustained combination of intra and inter-societal issues, the Bihar government has conceptualized 'Sashakt Mahila, Saksham Mahila' in the second part of its flagship scheme of ‘Saat Nischay Yojna' envisaged by the Chief Minister of Bihar. This chapter aims to explore the interplay of multi-dimensional barriers to bottom-top and top-bottom approaches to women's empowerment, which are acting as impediments to women's self-reliance in financial, socio-cultural, digital, and political spheres. Data were collected from three villages of Bihar, accounting for 15 respondents, using a semi-structured interview. The study found significant positive associations between schemes launched by the Bihar Government to empower women and their financial and social status. The research revealed that the effective implementation of policies aimed at promoting women's welfare remains a considerable challenge, particularly in light of the prevailing circumstances in rural Bihar with multitude of issues, collectively hindering women's empowerment in real terms. This study showed how the barriers to women impede their empowerment and will help in associating the challenges faced by women and where there needs to be more work to be done.