International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
Arihant Singh, KM Singh, Shripati Dwivedi, Ankit Yadav, Anand Pratap Singh and Waris Ali

abstract
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme is considered as ‘silver bullet’ in eradicating rural poverty and creating employment. The Act was enacted in parliament in September 2005 and was implemented by February 2006. On 2^nd October 2009, the scheme was devoted to the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi. Since then, it is known as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. The scheme provides a legal guarantee for one hundred days of employment in every financial year to adult members of any rural household willing to do unskilled manual work at the statutory minimum wages. The participation of women in MGNREGS is influenced by various socio-economic factors. The objective of the current study was to identify the determinants of women’s participation under MGNREGS. The study was conducted in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh in year 2024. A multi-stage sampling method was used to collect primary data from 240 women respondents. Logistic regression was employed to analyze the socio-economic factors that affect participation and non-participation of women in the MGNREGS within the study region. Results revealed that in case of Uttar Pradesh, education, house type, family type and land holding were the major determinants of women’s participation under MGNREGS. While in Madhya Pradesh education, house type and land holding were significant determinants of women getting job under MGNREGS. These findings underscore the need for region-specific strategies to enhance women's access to employment opportunities under the scheme.