LAUSR

Abstract The paper examines ‘gender empowerment’ and ‘women empowerment’ approaches in the select villages of north Indian states viz. Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Himachal Pradesh. It is a result of field experience (2009–2011) and theoretical frameworks of women and gender empowerment endorsed by the world level donor organizations. The study finds that intervention by civil societies and mere providing power and position to women in local governance both have a very limited effect on women empowerment in patriarchic Indian societies and argues that women empowerment approach is a pre-requisite to achieve gender equality in the rural north Indian societies.