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Empowering Rural Women Through Cooperatives: A Landmark Push by the Government

Key Highlights
  • 25,385 Women Welfare Cooperative Societies (WWCS) registered in India.
  • 1,44,396 Dairy Cooperatives engage rural women in economic activities.
  • Two mandatory seats for women in MSCS Boards introduced in 2023.
  • Over ₹7,700 crore sanctioned for women cooperatives by NCDC.
  • Pilot projects in Gujarat empower women with Rupay KCC and Micro-ATMs.
  • Formation/strengthening of 1,03,000 dairy cooperatives by NDDB.
Empowerment of rural women through cooperatives
The participation of rural women in cooperatives is witnessing a transformative phase in India. As of November 28, 2024, the country has 25,385 registered Women Welfare Cooperative Societies (WWCS) and 1,44,396 dairy cooperatives. These platforms have become vital avenues for rural women to engage in socio-economic activities, driving their financial and social empowerment.

The Government of India, recognizing the critical role of women in cooperatives, has undertaken a slew of initiatives to strengthen their representation and boost their contributions. These efforts aim to create a more inclusive cooperative ecosystem while empowering rural women through enhanced market access, leadership roles, and financial support.

Key Government Initiatives

  1. Reservation in Multi-State Cooperative Societies (MSCS):
    The Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Act, 2023, has mandated the reservation of two seats for women in the boards of MSCS. This move ensures gender parity and enables women to actively participate in decision-making processes at the cooperative level.

  2. Women Representation in PACS:
    The Ministry of Cooperation has introduced model bylaws for Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), ensuring women directors are part of their boards. This guarantees their involvement in over 1 lakh PACS across the nation.

  3. Financial Support for Women Cooperatives:

    • Swayam Shakti Shahakar Yojna: Offers working capital loans for up to three years to women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to promote collective socio-economic activities.
    • Nandini Sahakar Scheme: Provides term loans to women cooperatives for business-related activities, with an interest subvention of up to 2% for five to eight years.
  4. Collaboration with NABARD and NDDB:
    In partnership with NABARD, NDDB, NFDB, and State Governments, the Ministry is working to establish new Multipurpose PACS, Dairy, and Fishery Cooperative Societies in all villages. NDDB alone is tasked with forming or strengthening over 1,03,000 dairy cooperatives.

  5. Pilot Projects in Gujarat:
    Under the “Cooperation Among Cooperatives” initiative, rural women in Panchmahal and Banaskatha districts are being empowered. Primary Dairy Cooperative Societies have been made Business Correspondents and Bank Mitras, enabling members to access Micro-ATMs and Rupay Kisan Credit Cards (KCC). During this pilot, 22,344 Rupay KCCs, including 6,382 for animal husbandry, were issued, benefiting a significant number of women.

  6. Cumulative Financial Assistance:
    The National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) has sanctioned ₹7,708.09 crore and disbursed ₹6,426.36 crore to cooperatives promoted by women as of March 31, 2024.

The Bigger Picture: Social and Financial Empowerment

These initiatives are not just about increasing participation but also about improving rural women’s access to financial resources, markets, and leadership opportunities. With dairy cooperatives playing a pivotal role, rural women are gaining economic independence and contributing to their household and community development.

The establishment of a Cooperative Election Authority under the MSCS (Amendment) Act, 2023, ensures free and fair elections, boosting women’s participation in decision-making roles.

Though the Ministry of Cooperation has not conducted specific studies to measure the impact of these initiatives, the progress reported showcases significant strides in uplifting rural women through the cooperative model.
The cooperative movement in India is proving to be a powerful tool for empowering rural women, ensuring their participation and growth in socio-economic spheres. With sustained efforts, this initiative is poised to reshape the lives of millions, making rural India a hub of inclusive development.

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