Measuring complexity of conditions that facilitate female participation in MGNREGA : a case of north Karnataka

Abstract

Over the last decade, rural women have experienced more job-losses than rural men as well as urban men or women (Kannan et al. 2019). There has been an unprecedented job-loss of about 24.8% for rural women between 2011-12 and 2017-18. Specifically in Karnataka, their Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) has declined from 61.7% to 28.2% between 2011-12 and 2017-18. In this context, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) proves to be a vital source of financial security and empowerment for women in rural Karnataka (Jose 2021). It is important to note here that in Northern regions of Karnataka, there is a stark inequality in the percentage of women participating in MGNREGA at the block level. Therefore, in this study, we will attempt to ascertain the combination of administrative or macro level conditions that explain this inequality using a set theoretic research method called qualitative comparative analysis (QCA). To do this, we have identified plausible conditions using literature and available secondary data — which include land holding, political influence, presence of union operations, worksite facilities, and help from trained mates. We will then create a truth table as a means of representing the presence or absence of desirable conditions. Based on this, we will ascertain the intersection of conditions, represented through the means of combinations, that explain high and low female participation in the scheme. Lastly, we will speak to block-level administrators, union members, workers, and mates in North Karnataka to understand if their experience aligns with our findings.