EMPOWERMENT OF TRIBAL WOMEN THROUGH CSR LED ENTERPRISE MODEL: A STUDY OF TATA STEEL FOUNDATION IN JHARKHAND

Abstract

The vision of Viksit Bharat-2047 could not be achieved without engaging women in leadership roles. Empowerment of women emerged as a critical dimension of inclusive and sustainable development, particularly in tribal regions where economic opportunities for women remain limited. In these regions, all stakeholders including government, CSR based foundations and NGOs are making their efforts to empower women. At many places, they initiated enterprise-based intervention models serving as an effective pathway for enhancing women’s decision-making capacity, income generation, and social status. In this context, the present study, examines the role of CSR led enterprise models supported by the Tata Steel Foundation (TSF) of Jharkhand in women’s leadership and empowerment. Tata Steel Limited is a big name and their CSR funding is also huge. Besides, they are working extensively in Jharkhand and Odisha state as their CSR base. Thus, for this study, the TSF run five such enterprises of paper plates making units were selected from densely tribal dominated region in Ramgarh District of Jharkhand. An exploratory research design with a qualitative research approach was adopted using purposive sampling. A total sample of 25 respondents including five women participants from each unit were selected. Data were collected through the case study method, using Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) as the primary tool. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that enterprise interventions had significantly improved women’s position in many fronts including self-confidence, financial independence, leadership roles, and participation in household and community decision-making etc. Collective enterprise participation has also strengthened their solidarity, networking, and peer leadership. The enterprise interventions accompanied by skill training, market linkages, and institutional support are therefore serving as a transformative instrument towards women’s leadership and empowerment.