Vol. 12, Special Issue 11 (2023)

Author(s):
Shreyashee Phukan and Dr. Mayuri Bora

Abstract:
The Government of India launched a number of social welfare programmes with the intention of empowering rural women, women in general, children and disadvantaged section of the population. Thereby, present study endeavours to assess the awareness of rural women regarding selected social welfare schemes in Lakhimpur district of Assam. Four ICDS blocks were selected randomly for the present study. Total eight villages were selected, two from each block by quota sampling. Fifteen respondents were included from each village and thus sample size was 120. Data were collected through self prepared Interview Schedule and appropriate statistical test and techniques i.e., frequency, percentage, mean and chi square were used for analysis of data. The data revealed that 47.50 percent of respondents were in the age group of 21-36 years and 51.67 percent belonged to Other Backward Class. One third of the respondents were HSLC passed and 97.50 percent of the respondents were married. Home making was the highest (37.50%) reported occupation of the respondents. Annual income of 55.00 percent was Rs. 1 lakh-Rs. 3 lakh and 40.00 percent of respondents had pucca houses. Regarding awareness about Social Welfare schemes, findings show that a large majority (95.00%) were aware about Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) scheme followed by Integrated Child Development Service (ICDS) with 87.50 percent. Association between occupation and awareness of the respondents regarding POSHAN Abhiyaan was highly significant (p<0.01). With increased awareness, there is possibility for higher utilization of these schemes. Hence it is necessary to increase the awareness with appropriate strategy.