Current Affairs - Economy - Discussion

India, despite having one of the largest cooperative movements globally, with over 8.5 lakh cooperatives, still reflects significant gender disparity in cooperative participation. As per the 2023 NITI Aayog report, only 2.52% of these cooperatives are women-only, highlighting the underrepresentation of women in formal cooperative structures. This figure underscores the need for greater gender inclusion in cooperative governance and support systems. Cooperative societies, by their nature, are intended to be inclusive and community-driven, but historical, structural, and cultural barriers have limited women's active participation. Enhancing women’s role in cooperatives could contribute significantly to social equity and grassroots economic empowerment.