Financial Independence among Married Women Beneficiaries of MGNREGA in Kerala

Abstract

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is essential for rural households to have a stable source of income. This study investigates the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of 348 MGNREGA recipients and the connections between some variables and financial independence. Significant results were obtained from data analysis using ANOVA, t-tests, and Pearson correlation. Individual financial independence and the total number of earning family members were negatively correlated (r = –0.177, p < 0.01), suggesting that having more earners does not always translate into greater personal autonomy. Age groups, caste categories, years of MGNREGA participation, and the gender of the household head all showed significant differences in financial independence. Financial independence was lower among Scheduled Tribe members and households headed by women, but higher among younger respondents and those who had been in the program for less than five years. The results imply that social and demographic factors significantly impact beneficiaries' financial independence. To improve economic empowerment in rural communities, the study suggests financial literacy initiatives, skill development, educational opportunities, income diversification, caste-specific interventions, and targeted assistance for women-headed households.