From wage employment to empowerment: Women's experiences under MGNREGA in Prakasam district, Andhra Pradesh

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA) is one of the most significant rights-based social security programmes implemented in India with the objective of enhancing livelihood security in rural areas. Women constitute a major share of the workforce under MGNREGA, making the scheme an important instrument for women's social and economic empowerment. The present study examines the awareness, benefits, perceptions, impact, and problems faced by women wage seekers participating in MGNREGA in Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh. Using a multi-stage purposive sampling method, data were collected from 360 women wage seekers who had completed 100 days of work in a financial year. The study analyzes how MGNREGA contributes to income security, social inclusion, decision-making capacity, and economic independence of women. It also highlights operational challenges faced by women workers and proposes measures for effective implementation of the scheme to strengthen women empowerment. The findings indicate that while MGNREGA has significantly enhanced women's economic stability and social status, issues such as delayed wage payments, lack of worksite facilities, and limited awareness of entitlements continue to hinder its full potential.