Q. Women’s social capital complements in advancing empowerment and gender equity. Explain.

Model Answer:

Women’s Social Capital: Empowerment and Gender Equity

Women’s social capital—networks, relationships, and collective resources built through SHGs, associations, and community groups—complements formal institutions in advancing gender equity.

Economic Empowerment:
• Microfinance access: Peer guarantee systems eliminate collateral requirements (Kudumbashree, Kerala)
• Collective bargaining: Higher wages through group negotiations (SEWA textile workers)
• Market linkages: Direct access bypassing middlemen (NRLM vegetable vendors)
• Skill-sharing networks: Entrepreneurship and financial literacy programs (Mission Shakti groups)

Political Empowerment:
• Electoral participation: Mahila Mandals supporting women candidates in Panchayati Raj
• Policy influence: Collective voice in Gram Sabhas ensuring gender-responsive budgeting
• Leadership development: Peer mentoring for first-time women sarpanches
• Decision-making forums: Women’s groups influencing local development priorities

Social Empowerment:
• Violence prevention: Peer support against domestic abuse (Bell Bajao campaign)
• Education promotion: Mothers’ groups monitoring girl dropout rates
• Health awareness: ASHA networks spreading maternal health information
• Social evils resistance: Collective action against dowry, child marriage (Gulabi Gang interventions)

Breaking Patriarchal Barriers:
• Safe spaces: Women-only markets and cooperatives (Mann Deshi Foundation)
• Mobility enhancement: Group travel reducing restrictions
• Economic independence: Joint ventures challenging male breadwinner norms

Conclusion: Women’s social capital creates multiplier effects—individual empowerment strengthens collective action, systematically dismantling gender inequities.