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1 Research Paper Volume 2 Issue 7 March 2015 International Journal of Informative & Futuristic Research ISSN (Online): Role of NGOs in Paper ID IJIFR/ V2/ E7/ 047 Page No Subject Area Commerce Key Words, Problems and Poverty Reduction J. Tamilselvi 1 Dr.G.Subbulakshmi 2 K.Varalakshmi 3 Abstract The present research paper examines role of NGOs in women empowerment. Quantitative data collected from women respondents (n=120) with a structured questionnaire. Statistical package for social science (SPSS) is the main tool for data analysis and we used ANOVA, t- test, mean with standard deviation are used to analyze the data. For quantitative analysis, we have selecting the main variables as independent variables and total women empowerment as dependent variable. The result showed that, there is significant relationship between profiles of the respondents towards different types of empowerment. Majority of women in Kancheepurm district are aware about their rights and decision making. Finally the study has given certain recommendations to further improve the empowerment of women in Kancheepurm. 1. Introduction The Government of India has shown increasing concern for women's issues through a variety of legislation promoting the education and political participation of women (Collier, 1998). International organizations like the World Bank and United Nations have focused on women s issues Copyright IJIFR

2 especially the empowerment of poor women in rural areas. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) have also taken on an increased role in the area of women s empowerment (Sadik, 1988). NGO s, previously catering to women s health and educational needs have moved beyond this traditional focus to addressing the underlying causes of deprivations through promoting the economic and social empowerment of women (McNamara: 2003). NGO s prepare urban and rural uneducated women for self employment, which is vital for the economic empowerment of the women. In short, all these programs and functions of NGO s contribute towards the realization of sustainable community development and hence women empowerment. The World Bank has identified empowerment as one of the key constituent elements of poverty reduction, and as a primary development assistance goal. The Bank has also made gender mainstreaming a priority in development assistance, and is in the process of implementing an ambitious strategy to this effect. A recent policy research report by the World Bank (2001a), identifies gender equality both as a development objective in itself, and as a means to promote growth, reduce poverty and promote better governance. A similar dual rationale for supporting women s empowerment has been articulated in the policy statements put forth at several high level international conferences in the past decade. 2. Objectives Of The Study The main objective of the study is to measure women empowerment in Kancheepurm district. In this paper the particular aspects to identify the household decision making ability of women in Kancheepurm. 3. Scope of the study The present study covers the area of kancheepuram districts in Tamil Nadu. It deals with the role of NGO s in women empowerment and the period of this study is about 6 months (i.e) October 2014 to March Methodology 4.1 Research design: Since the present study has its own predetermined objectives and methodology it is descriptive in nature. Apart from this, it has made an attempt to explain the role of NGO s to prevent poverty among women empowerment and have it is analytical in nature. 4.2 Sampling procedure of the study: Out of 32 southern districts of Tamil Nadu, one district i.e kancheepuram is selected for this study. The distributed questionnaires were 120, it targeted on the women of kancheepuram region, in Tamil Nadu. In this research we consider many variables that could make an impact on the women empowerment generally. The main variables we considered are: income, education, age and occupation and different empowerments of women. 4.3 Source of data: In this study we used two types of data primary and secondary data. First, primary data will be collected using survey questionnaires to be distributed to the women in kancheepuram district. The household survey is based on convenient sampling method with a structured questionnaire. Also, structured interview will be prepared to interview some selected women in this district. The 2188

3 secondary data will be collected from publications such as journals, newspapers, magazines, books and websites. 4.4 Collection of data: The first interview schedule consists of two important parts. The first part covers the demographic profile of the respondents. The second part of the schedule includes the variables in decision making empowerment among respondents. 5. Results and Discussion. Table 5.1: Age and Entrepreneurial Competencies among the Respondents Age Mean Standard F-statistics deviation Below Above Significant at 5% level A higher level of Entrepreneurial Competencies is identified among the respondents with the age of 36 to 45 years and 46 to 55 years since their mean of Entrepreneurial Competencies are and respectively. A higher level of consistency in the level of Entrepreneurial Competencies is noticed among the respondents in the age of 36 to 45 years. Regarding the level of Entrepreneurial Competencies, significant differences among the different age group of respondents have been noticed since their respective F statistics is significant at five per cent level. Table 5.2: House Holds Decision Making Empowerment among Respondents Education Variables Mean Score among the Respondents t statistics Education of Children * Health of Children * Marriage Matters * Daily Purchasing of Commodities Borrowing Decision * Personal Matters * Significant at 5% level Table 5.2 shows that the level of household decision making empowerment is identified in daily purchasing of commodities mean score is It is identified as high in the case of the education of children, personal matters and health of children since their mean scores are , and respectively. Regarding the involvement in decision making among the respondents, the significant differences among respondents education have been noticed in the case of decision making on education of children, health of children, marriage matters, borrowing decisions and personal matters since their respective t statistics are significant at five per cent level. 2189

4 Table 5.3: Social Empowerment and Respondents Occupation and Income Variables Mean Score among the Respondents t statistics Occupation Income Recognition by Family members * Participation in Social Functions * Recognition by the Society * Involvement in Social Activities * Significant at 5% level. The highest empowerment is identified among the respondents in the case of recognition by the family members and participation in the social functions since its mean scores are and respectively. Regarding the level of social empowerment among the respondents, the significant difference between the occupation and income is noticed in the variables recognition by the family members, participation in the social functions, recognition by the society and involvement in social activities since their respective t statistics are significant at five per cent level. Table: 5.4: Association between Profile of Respondents and their various Empowerments Profile variables F-Statistics Family Social Economic Age * Level of Education * * * Marital Status Family type * Occupational Background * Significant at 5% level. Regarding the family empowerment, the significantly associating profile variables are level of education and occupational background since their respective F statistics are significant at five per cent level. The significantly associating profile variables with the social empowerment are level of education and family types. Whereas in the case of the economic empowerment, these profile variables are age and level of education. 6. Conclusion The study result reveals that the demographic characteristics have relationship with various empowerments such as, social, family and economic. Regarding the involvement in decision making among the respondents, the significant differences among respondents education have been noticed in the case of decision making on education of children since their respective t statistics are significant at five per cent level. This study focuses particularly on women, because in every society they struggle against gender norms that limit their resources and opportunities for improvement, and because we know that women s empowerment is a tremendous resource for social change and a prerequisite in the broader fight against global poverty. It is advised that future researchers who are interested in women s empowerment in Kancheepurm can concentrate more on variables that have a positive impact on women empowerment. The government and non-government agencies can work on towards enhancing the women s traits and competencies. Participation in seminars, workshop and lecturers and encouragement for taking waged employment would help or strengthen the role of women in decision making. 2190

5 References [1] Sadik, N. (1998), Human rights: Women have Special Needs, Populi, Vol.25, No.1, pp [2] McNamara, K. (2003), Information and Communication Technologies, Poverty and Development: Learning from Experience, A Background Paper for the Information and Development Annual Symposium, Geneva, Switzerland. [3] Collier, Paul. Women in Development: Defining the Issues. Policy, Planning and Research. [4] World Bank. 2001a. Engendering Development: Through Gender Equality in Rights, Resources, and Voice. World Bank Policy Research Report. Oxford: Oxford University Press. [5] Dr.Thresiamma Varghese, Faculty of business, Sohar University, in Oman: A study based on Index. Faculty of business, Sohar University, Vol. 2 No 2, February