Women's Development Through Voluntary Action

The phenomenon of voluntary social action is as old as mankind. The subcontinent of India has had long and glorious tradition of voluntary service for the uplift of weaker sections of society: womenchildrendestitute and handicapped. As change agentsVAs provide complementary and supplementary services to the people and have proven themselves to be important instruments in the development of rural areas. The Government of Indiathrough its Five-Year Plans has demonstrated its appreciation and recognition of the indispensability of the partnership between the Government agencies and the VAs in the process of development.Dindigul District has had VAs working for and championing the cause of women.Not much systematic research has been done on their working hence the present study.The VAs under the study have demonstrated their ability to organise women in their respective target areas and gear them towards self-reliance and social consciousness. The present Bookwill help students researchers academics policymakers planners andNGOs personnel to have a better understanding of the functioning and contribution of NGOs and VAs towards women''s empowerment and women''s development.