MGNREGA For Poverty Reduction and Economic Upliftment among the Women’s

Abstract

MGNREGA plays a crucial role in stimulating development within villages. While some households or individuals migrate long distances to other states, this study primarily observed short-distance migration to nearby urban or peri-urban areas. Proximity of worksites to homes and flexible work hours have encouraged women to join the workforce. Effective programme management has played a crucial role in attracting women as both workers and managers. Small design modifications could further enhance wellbeing outcomes, such as recognizing the value of assets that meet local needs and support development, providing cash transfers for those unable to work, and offering alternative activities for individuals with lower physical capacity. In conclusion, variations in women’s participation are closely linked to local economic factors, including available job alternatives, the comparison of market wages with MGNREGS wages, gender wage gaps, and overall work availability. The guarantee secures household income, reducing the need for women to work as supplemental earners and eliminating a key incentive for saving. Despite significant participation in program jobs, the guarantee lowers engagement in other forms of work, leading to a decline in labor force participation among married women and a reduction in the total working hours of their husbands. It accounts for up to 30% of a recent nationwide drop in rural female labor force participation. While the guarantee boosts household consumption, it diminishes women's control over household income, ultimately impacting their overall well-being.