The Role of Corporate Social Responsibility in Advancing Women Empowerment in Aspirational Districts of Uttar Pradesh

Women empowerment is no longer just a lofty ideal but an actionable, tangible, measurable outcome that plays a key role in the advancement of society. Kofi Annan states that ‘There is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women’. In India, the nexus between gender equality and sustainable development has become increasingly recognized with significant steps being made through a comprehensive approach. This research paper briefly contextualized the role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in driving women empowerment, with a focus on the Aspirational Districts of Uttar Pradesh. The study investigates how CSR initiatives in these districts are contributing to sustainable development, which emphasizes gender equality and the empowerment of women. The Aspirational Districts Program, initiated by NITI Aayog in 2018, aimed at transforming the most backward districts of India. The study is descriptive in nature and based on secondary data and all the data collected from national portal of Ministry of Corporate Affairs and Corporate Social Responsibility. The study conducts a comparative analysis of CSR expenditures from 2018-2019 to 2022-2023, with a focus on gender-focused initiatives. This paper evaluates their effectiveness in fostering gender equality and empowering women in underserved areas.