In India, policies and programmes of the government at different levels cover various dimensions and strategies of gender development. Over the years, efforts have been made to empower women socially, economically and politically. However, due to lack of synergy and coordination, the achievements are not satisfactory. It is imperative that an integrated policy and strategy be formulated to address economic, social and political issues related to women along with the requisite programmes and schemes.

Though India has created protective legislations for women, the enactments have not been easy to implement. The vastness of the country, the scattered nature of women workers, their lack of education and legal literacy, the indifferent attitude of government bureaucracy have all contributed to the continuing vulnerability of women. This is true not only of rural unorganised women, but also of urban women workers. Although the Constitutional commitments to women find reflections in the planning process, legislations, policies and programmes of the Central and State Governments yet the current socio-economic status of women is unsatisfactory in terms of almost all important indicators of human development.

This book has emerged from the research papers contributed by social scientists and academicians from different parts of India, focusing on specific gender-related issues. The volume will provide valuable information and inputs to academicians, researchers, NGOs, and government agencies and functionaries. It contains 42 research contributions related to women issues. These contributions have been categorised into the following 6 Theme Parts. (a) Health, Nutrition and Fertility of Women, (b) Education and Training of Women, (c) Employment of Women, (d) Self-help Groups (SHGs) and Empowerment of Women, (e) Problems of Rural Women and (f) Women, Media, Politics and Human Rights.

1. Tribal Women of Gujarat: HIV/AIDS Awareness and Education - Avani Maniar

2. Reproductive Health of Adolescent Girls - Varsha Parikh

3. Fertility and Health of Rural Women - Neerja Jaiswal

4. Adolescent Nutrition - Uma Iyer, Shruti Shah, Shonima Venugopal and Kavita Sharma

5. Counseling Mothers in Child Feeding Practices - Kavita Sharma, Rajul Jain and Uma Iyer

6. Gender Differences in Experiencing Childlessness - Bhamini Mehta and Shagufa Kapadia

7. Women and Child Health - Mini Sheth

8. Health Status of Women - B. Suguna and G. Sandhya Rani

9. Reproductive Health Status of Women - Shalini Sharma and Simran K. Sidhu

10. Empowering Older Women for Successful Ageing - Indira Mallaya and Bhagyashree Hakim

11. Adult Education for Women - Rameshwari Pandya and Richa Kapoor

12. Women Empowerment through Education - Y. Bhaskaracharyulu, D. Pulla Rao and Y. Nirmala

13. Role of School in Gender Equality - Manisha Pathak-Shelat

14. Women and Education - Mumtas N.S.

15. Education for Women - K. Thangamani

16. Consumer Education for Women Empowerment - Rameshwari Pandya

17. Institutional Management for Children - Rameshwari Pandya and Darshini Durkal

18. Women Police: Public Perception - Om Raj Singh

19. Globalisation and Employment Status of Women in India - Tejpreet Kaur Kang

20. Women`s Work and Empowerment - Trupti T. Shah

21. Women and Self-employment - Saraswati Raju Iyer

22. Emotional Intelligence at Work Place - Om Raj Singh

23. Empowerment of Women in Kerala: A Case Study - V. Girija Devi

24. Economic Reforms and Women Empowerment - Harnek Singh, Muninder Sidhu and Gaganpreet Kaur

25. Empowerment of Women through Micro Finance - D. Padmavathi

26. Empowerment of Women in India - Ravi Prakash Yadav, Raginideep and Puja Roy

27. Role of Banks in Women Empowerment - Habilslade O. Ogale

28. Welfare, Development and Empowerment of Women: The Indian Experience - Praveen Devgan

29. Towards Women Empowerment - Manjari Acharya and Rupal N. Thakkar

30. Rural Women Work Force - Tinku Paul

31. Women in Agriculture in Punjab - D.S. Dhillon and Harnek Singh

32. Women in Agriculture - Minaxi Pathak

33. Rural Female Agricultural Workers in West Bengal - Jabir Hasan Khan and Md. Mustaquim

34. Gender Issues in Agriculture - Rekha Bhagat and Surya S.

35. Role of Women in Agricultural Sector - Varsha H. Patil and Vidya R. Khapli

36. Women Prisoners -Smriti Bhosle

37. Women Employment and Quality of Life - Madhur Bala and O.P. Monga

38. Women in Urban Slums - Rameshwari Pandya and Anuradha Mathu

39. Women and Media -H.R. Sudhindra

40. Women in Politics - Rameshwari Pandya and Babita Shukla

41. Women Stone-Breakers: Violation of Human Rights - Mausumi Majumdar

42. Women and Mass Media - Poonam Tiwari