Abstract

Cooperative movements in India have historically played a vital role in socio-economic development particularly in rural areas. Women’s participation in these movements between 2018 and 2025 marked a significant shift toward inclusivity and empowerment. Traditionally marginalized in decision-making structures women emerged as active participants leaders and change agents in cooperatives relating to agriculture dairy handicrafts self-help groups and microfinance. This paper explores the role of women in cooperative movements during this period highlighting their contributions to economic sustainability community building and social justice. It examines the ways in which cooperatives became spaces for women’s empowerment enabling financial independence leadership opportunities and collective bargaining power. At the same time the paper identifies challenges including structural patriarchy limited access to resources lack of training and unequal representation. Using government reports NG