Sufferance of rural women needs very little empirical substantiation around the world, given its widespread prevalence. It has been said that though rural women contribute substantially to rural economic development, its recognition has been very scanty. They are poorly paid, neglected and deprived of basic human rights. They have very little role in household decision-making and have virtually no control over the use of their own income. Policy initiatives have lagged behind intolerably. It was then realized that empowerment has to happen from within by own initiatives. Forming...