Poverty Reduction and Women Empowerment in Rural Society of Sri Lanka: a Comparative Analysis on Public and NGOs Intervention in Rural Development.

Abstract

Sri Lanka is a country passing the high human development level due to the recent developmentefforts already implemented by the government of Sri Lanka and other stakeholders. However,poverty is an issue still influencing the peoples' livelihoods and also in the social and culturalspheres in the rural and estate sectors. Recent studies show that there is a gradual reduction inpoverty, especially in the urban and rural sectors than in the estate sector. The present study isfocused on a particular aspect of poverty reduction in the rural society of Sri Lanka whileemphasizing women's empowerment as a strategy of poverty reduction.Thus, the main objective of this study is to investigate into how the women's empowermentprocess is utilized as a strategy in poverty reduction programmes which are conducted by thepublic and NGOs sectors among rural society of Sri Lanka. By tracing this main objective, the studyhas identified the contributions made by both public and NGO sectors at macro and micro levelsto reduce the poverty incidents in two selected Divisional Secretariat Divisions in theAnuradhapura District. To prove this main objective and specific objectives identified in the study,a particular methodology has been employed using both quantitative and qualitative methods,paradigms, data collection techniques, and data analysis tools.The study revealed that there are many poverty reduction programmes and activities beingimplemented by the public and NGOs sectorsat macro and micro levels while focusing on poorwomen. However, when the role of the public and NGOs involvement in the process ofempowering poor women in their programmes are analyzed comparatively, the NGO sectorshave played a more significant role than the public sector. Although, these programmes haveplayed a significant role inincreasing women's participation in household decision making andaccess and control over family resources, they havenot causedany improvements on thewomen's social status beyond the family.It is evident that these programmes which are conducted by the public and NGOs sectorshaveassisted in increasing women's decision.making abilities at the household level, but has not on alarge scale changed their status at the community or regional levels such as inimproving thewomen's status in the areas of leadership positions, community-based activities, politicalparticipation, paid employment and participation in development activities.Against thisbackground, it can be concluded that these empowering programmes have afforded manyopportunities to women to improve their family status within their families rather thantheirsocial status withinsociety. Therefore, such programmes have helped in empowering womenandreduce poverty level at household level at large;but they have not become considerablekeystrategiesinwomen's empowerment and poverty reduction within rural society in Sri Lanka.