Vol. 11, Issue 3, Part C (2025)

It is very hard to imagine a world where women live happily and fearlessly, enjoying the decision-making power, contributing constructively to the socio-economic-political development of the society and to the well-being of the mankind. But the societies which fail to capitalize the full potential of women are basically misallocating their material and human resources. Empowerment of women is the only effective tool to empower humanity. Both men and women must change their mindset that women are not women but human beings, a productive human resource of the society. They are dynamic promoters of social transformation and not passive recipients of help (Amartya Sen). Gender equality is a human right. Women are entitled to live with dignity and freedom from want and fear. Empowered women contribute to the health and productivity of the family and community and improve prospects for the future generation. Women empowerment manifests itself in controlling their birth, lives and goals of life. The significant tools are Education, Employment, Ownership of the property and the Right of voicing their voice.

The objective of the present study is to examine the economic empowerment of women and gender-gaps in the State of Haryana. The methodology includes measuring the economic empowerment and gender-gaps on the basis of five selected indicators. These indicators are- Economic Participation, Economic opportunity, Political Empowerment, Education attainment and Health & well-being. Secondary data from the statistical abstracts, NSSO surveys and women and child welfare department, Haryana is obtained for this purpose. Haryana, one of the most progressive states of India, lags behind on the basis of non-economic indicators, indicated by its very low sex- ratio (879/1000) and child sex-ratio (834/1000), barriers to education and employment of women due to cultural restrictions and veiling and seclusion of women. The government of Haryana is making hard efforts to empower the women and reduce gender-gaps for achieving the goal of inclusive growth.