Sericulture and Women Empowerment : An Application of A.Gidden's Theory

This study tries to analyse the empowerment rural sericulture women by using Antony Gidden's Empowerment Theory where women's agency and opportunity structure are major contributors for empowerment. Sericulture is an agro based rural Industry,In India 60% of the sericulture activities are carried out by Women. Sericulture is rearing of silkworms and it is an important source of livelihood for rural women in Karnataka, South India. This It means financial security, increased socio economic status, increased control over decision-making and the opportunity to save and spend. The women are self-employed, carry out silkworm rearing in the vicinity of or in their own homesteads with a known peer group, which helps them to balance both household and economic activity. Recognition of rural women as major contributors towards silk production and improvement of service delivery to them is the need of the hour.