Inclusive Development in Sericulture through Female Empowerment A Case Study in Malda District, West Bengal

The paper explores the impact of women workers’ dominance in sericulture sector upon the process of inclusive development in the rural household sectors of West Bengal. Role of women in this artisanal silk sector has been historically evolved. Her patience, perseverance, caring attitude and adaptability to new technologies have made her activities more dominant in sericulture and silk production. Dominance of female workers in productive workforce is always expected to exert positive influence on all development paradigm including health and education. This research paper specifically delves in intricate relationship between women dominance in sericulture activities and number of women and children existing in the family, household income, household –size, total man-days involved and wage difference between male and female workers. The share of women workers in total labour force in this household industry is inversely being influenced by the hired to domestic female ratios and number of total workers, while numbers of female workers leaves a positive influence.