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Public Irrigation and Well-being of Women: A Tale of Two Villages in North-east Karnataka, India

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  • Suma Scaria

Abstract

This article explores how public irrigation mediates the well-being of women through a study of two villages in north-east Karnataka with contrasting natures of access to irrigation. It shows that public irrigation plays an “instrumental role†in the well-being of women. Here, the well-being of women is defined in terms of four dimensions that include survival, education, health and self-awareness. The village that has access to public-funded canal irrigation exhibits relatively better performance in terms of well-being of women compared to the village with non-canal irrigation. These outcomes are explained in terms of access to irrigation and distribution of land. This micro-level study shows the need to focus on public expenditure in rural infrastructure projects, including irrigation, to mitigate gender inequities.

Suggested Citation

  • Suma Scaria, 2020. "Public Irrigation and Well-being of Women: A Tale of Two Villages in North-east Karnataka, India," Indian Journal of Human Development, , vol. 14(3), pages 447-459, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:inddev:v:14:y:2020:i:3:p:447-459
    DOI: 10.1177/0973703020976777
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    References listed on IDEAS

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