Abstract:
The contribution of the male in agriculture was higher than women's in the traditional
Agro-economic system in Sri Lanka. In this context the role of the traditional women was
exclusively looking after children and bringing them up. But the role of traditional woman
has become more complex because of the social change in social, economic, cultural and
political processes in the society.
The status and role of the traditional women has changed with the social change
and this condition has highly influenced for the creation of role conflict in the family. As
the side effect of this changing situation; unemployment, poverty and domestic violence
were the major issues they had to face in their life. T he women used to make a dynamic
contribution to the agro-economic society with particularly regard to wellbeing of her
family. In this context, the women had to play major role to stabilize and strengthen family
economy.
T he major objective of this study was to evaluate the contribution of women in
the rural agro-economic system; To identify the differences between the role of rural and
modern women, To study the contribution of women with regard to the rising of economic
status in her family were the other objectives of this study.
Survey method and functional method were used as the research method. Primary
data was collected through observations and interviews. Kotawehera Secretariat Division
in Kurunegala district was selected as the research area and 1 0 Graqma Niladari Divisions
(GNDs) were selected out of 31 GNDs and 10 families were selected in one GND, Totally
100 families were investigated.
The modern rural woman was able to make a great contribution for the agroeconomic
system in her family and she was able to achieve specialization in a range of
agricultural activities. T he data revealed that the rural women empowerment should be
enhanced for the social development in Sri Lanka.
