International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
Supriya Kardile, Smita Kolhe, AV Khanvilkar, TC Shende, AK Bhalerao, SM Bhalerao and Hrushikesh Owhal

abstract
The present study was conducted in two districts of Western Maharashtra to assess the socio-economic profile and empowerment level of WDCs. Almost all the variables studied under socioeconomic profile grouped under medium level. A total of 240 women members of WDCs were selected through random sampling and data was collected through a structured interview schedule from WDCS of Pune and Kolhapur districts of Maharashtra. Collected data were analyzed through different statistical tools, the DWEI index value was, and outcomes were interpreted. Overall empowerment of members of WDCs recorded in the category of middle level. It was revealed that most of the respondents were grouped in the medium categories of social, cultural, psychological, economic, political, legal, and technological dimensions of empowerment. However, WDCs played an energetic role in facilitating women to become economically independent and self-reliant to accept diverse tasks. The seven dimensions of the dairy women empowerment index were ranked accordingly psychological empowerment was the uppermost level, followed by social, economic, technological, cultural, legal, and political empowerment. It was observed that training is an important aspect of raising the level of empowerment; therefore, the future strategy must focus on capacity building through training. It can be concluded that women members get empowered through WDCs up to a medium range, however, further efforts are required to magnify the empowerment as well as sustain the same for a longer period of time.