Contents: Preface. Abbreviations. 1. Status of women in India: present and past. 2. Gandhi and status of women. 3. National policy for the empowerment of women. 4. Gender equality and women’s empowerment in India. 5. Women and poverty eradication. 6. Women health law and legal decisions. 7. UN’s convention on elimination of all discrimination against women. 8. Women empowerment: information and communication technology. 9. The National Commission for Women. 10. National policy for women in agriculture. 11. Rashtriya Mahila Kosh. 12. Important Indian acts protecting women. 13. Women development programmes. 14. Insurance policies for women. 15. Schemes for overseas women. 16. Women in sports. Glossary. Bibliography. Index.

“National policy for women is written for those who really need women development. The original schemes and plans are discussed. This book discusses how to get benefit out of these schemes. Drawing on themes across disciplines and across India to raise our awareness of overt and covert discriminations against women, the book reminds us of the multiple ways in which women manage to survive and thrive despite familial, community and state neglect.” (jacket)