SOCIAL EXCLUSION AMONG RURAL WOMEN IN THEIR DECISION MAKING POWER

Abstract

Social exclusion refers to processes in which individuals or entire communities are systematically blocked from rights, opportunities and resources (e.g. housing, employment, healthcare, civic engagement, democratic participation) that should be normally available to members of society. In our male dominant society, women, especially rural women face more deprivation from their rights and have the lower decision making power in getting education, marriage decisions, to avail health facilities, and unable to participate in political spheres as well. Keeping in view the importance of research problem, the study was designed to identify the social exclusion among rural women in their decision making in the Punjab. A sample 240 respondents was conducted through multistage sampling technique. Data was collected through well designed interview schedule. In order to achieve study objectives review of literature on the related subject was reviewed. At first stage two Tehsils were selected randomly. At 2nd stage, four areas of each Tehsil were selected randomly. At 3rd stage thirty female respondents were selected conveniently from the each randomly selected area. Data was collected through quantitative method. It was found that the level of development increases with the increase of giving power of decision making to rural women. Women inclusion of decision making in different categories like employment, equal access to education and legal rights, marriages etc, moving toward improvement and creating balance in society.