THE ROLE OF EDUCATION IN TRANSFORMING GENDER ROLES: STUDY OF RURAL WOMEN'S EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT IN SIRSA, HARYANA

Abstract

Equal access to educational opportunity is a basic human right essential to well-being. Educational gaps at attainment levels between males and females and further between females of rural and urban areas have remained the focus of research. This paper is based on the study of a district, Sirsa, to assess the educational empowerment of rural women residing in that district. The study has been carried out on a sample of 200 women identified and designated as rural women in the age group of 18 to 51 and above years. Semi-structured interview schedules, field notes, and participatory observation were the techniques used in the study. The findings of the study reveal that rural women have a very low level of education. Among all social groups, scheduled caste women are at the margin level. Poverty in the family and the non-availability of schools in villages have emerged as a major cause behind the educational deprivation of rural women. Empirical findings have shown that an increase in educational level among rural women increases their family income. It is suggested that education is a pertinent domain to make women empowered and self-reliant. Efforts should be made through different ways to make women educated and self-dependent. Ensuring educational opportunities for all is essential for more than one reason