The Issue Of Indispensableness Of Public Libraries In Women Empowerment: A Study Of West Bengal In India

Abstract

Once again public libraries have proved that proper knowledge diffusion would bring major changes in women empowerment. Kanyashree Prakalpa was pioneered throughout West Bengal in 2013in slow but steady pace but public libraries were not included at the initial stage. But slowly their contributions are being realized. Empowering women refers to the process of enhancing their spiritual, political, social or economic status. This also includes the right to raise their level of confidence regarding their own capabilities. Women empowerment is a gateway to the development of a country. This study was conducted to assess the attitude, behaviors and factors of parents towards and through different public services taken by the Government of West Bengal and the role of Public Libraries in empowering women of Canning- II Community Development Block. Kanyashree Prakalpa is one of the most important public service schemes which enabled the implementation of a quality life among the girls entangled within the chains of pecuniary and social restrictions of the said area. The main aim of this scheme apart from eliminating illiteracy is to reduce child labor, school dropouts, and violence against women, child marriage, and economic activities of students of weaker sections of the society. The public library is a nerve center of information that allows its users to acquire knowledge and information related to the society within and without. As a custodian of knowledge, public libraries have played a very important role in disseminating information and training on women’s empowerment.