Empowerment is now increasingly seen as a process by which the one's without power gain greater control over their lives. It involves power to, power with and power within. With reference to women the power relation that has to be involved includes their lives at multiple levels, family, comm7nity, market and the state. Importantly it involves at the psychological level women's ability to assert themselves and this is constructed by the gender roles assigned to her specially in a cultural which resists change like India. The questions surrounding women's empowerment the condition and position of women have now become critical to the human rights based approaches to development.

This book describes women's struggle for getting power and position in the society and family. Various issues, challenges and strategies for women's empowerment are given an in-depth treatment. While explaining the strategies for women's empowerment, the role of education, legal support system and civil society is highlighted besides an elaborate description of government efforts. It is hoped that the book will provide a good reading material to research scholars, social activists and practitioners.