A Study on Women's Role in Socio-Economic Development- Past and Present Scenarios

A Study on Women’s Role in Socio-Economic Development- Past and Present Scenarios Prof. Sujata Pradip Phadtare Assistant Professor, Rajmata Jijau Shikshan Prasarak Mandal’s Arts, Commerce and Science College, Landewadi, Bhosari, Pune Abstract Women have played a significant role in economic development across different historical periods, although their contributions have often been undervalued or underrepresented in formal economic systems. Traditionally, women were primarily engaged in household responsibilities, subsistence agriculture, and informal economic activities that supported family livelihoods but were rarely recognized in national economic statistics. Over time, socio-economic transformations such as industrialization, urbanization, education, and policy interventions have expanded women’s participation in formal sectors of the economy. In the contemporary era, women actively contribute to diverse fields including entrepreneurship, corporate leadership, technology, governance, and service industries. Their increasing economic participation has strengthened productivity, household welfare, and national economic growth. Despite these advancements, challenges such as gender wage gaps, occupational segregation, limited access to financial resources, and social barriers continue to persist. This study examines the changing economic roles of women from historical contexts to the present and highlights their evolving contribution to sustainable economic development and inclusive growth.