Socio-economic Development of Women in Rural Bhutan

This study is concerned with women's contribution towards socioeconomic development in rural Bhutan. The need to evaluate the effects in terms of empowerment and contribution towards socioeconomic development arises due to the perception that intercessions have little effect on women's contribution in the development processes in rural Bhutan owing to cultural factors. To test the proposition, Chapcha Gewog under Chukha Dzongkhag has been studied and analyzed. The paper evaluates participation, contribution, and sustainability of the women in family earnings in Bhutan. It is expected to help researchers with useful insights into the issues of women's empowerment and contribution towards socioeconomic development. The findings indicate improvements in education, involvement in economic and social activities, and participation in decision-making processes, etc. However, the results also confirm the paradoxical situation facing women's participation in developmental activities and involvement in decisionmaking processes. Finally, it concludes that women contribute to socio-economic development, but not more than the men do.