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Gender disparities are part of every day life in developing countries. Although policy makers have attempted to empower women and increase their autonomy through different types of programmes, such attempts have not always been very successful. Based on extensive field studies undertaken in West Bengal, a major state in eastern India, this book reviews the challenges, opportunities and success of Government policies in empowering women through employment generation schemes. This book covers a wide range of subjects, ranging from urban self help groups to women entrepreneurs hailing from different strata of society, and employs different methods - statistical methods, as well as presentation of profiles of women entrepreneurs. It is an interesting and valuable addition to the field of gender studies. Chapters include: 1. Gender, Empowerment and the State 2. Group Based Poverty Alleviation Programmes 3. Do Self Help Groups Really Empower Women? 4. Skill Development Programmes - A Review 5. Women Entrepreneurs - Some Profiles 6. Conclusion

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