Abstract

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) is a flagship program aimed at enhancing rural livelihoods through guaranteed employment. Despite its successes womens participation in MGNREGS remains uneven across different regions. This study explores the multifaceted factors influencing womens engagement in MGNREGS. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach we analyze quantitative data from program records and qualitative insights from field interviews to identify key determinants affecting womens participation. Factors examined include socio-economic conditions institutional barriers cultural norms and the impact of policy implementation at the grassroots level. Our findings reveal that while MGNREGS has the potential to empower women economically and socially challenges such as inadequate awareness gender biases and logistical constraints hinder full participation. The study concludes with recommendations for policy adjustments and program enhancements aimed at inc