Study conducted at Santhal Parganas Division of Jharkhand State, India.

Contributed articles.

Study conducted in Farīdābād District of Haryana State, India.

Study conducted in Samastīpur District of Bihar, India.

Globally, women are facing social, economic, and cultural barriers impeding their autonomy and agency. Accelerated women empowerment programs often fail to attain their targets as envisaged by the policymakers due to a variety of reasons, with the most prominent being the deep-rooted cultural norms ingrained within society. In the era of globalization, empowerment of women demands new approaches and strategies that encourage the mainstreaming of gender equality as a societal norm. The Handbook of Research on New Dimensions of Gender Mainstreaming and Women Empowerment is a critical scholarly publication that examines global gender issues and new strategies for the promotion of women empowerment and gender mainstreaming in various spheres of women’s lives, including education and ICT, economic participation, health and sexuality, mental health, aging, law and judiciary, leadership, and decision making. It provides a comprehensive coverage of all major gender issues with novel ideas on gender mainstreaming being contributed by men and women authors from multidisciplinary backgrounds. Gender perspective and intersectional approach in the discourses make this handbook a unique contribution to the scholarship of social sciences and humanities. The book provides new theoretical inputs and practical directions to academicians, sociologists, social workers, psychologists, managers, lawyers, policy makers, and government officials in their efforts at gender mainstreaming. With a wide range of conceptual richness, this handbook is an excellent reference guide to students and researchers in programs pertaining to gender/women's studies, cultural studies, economics, sociology, social work, medicine, law, and management.

Microfinance has passed a long journey from micro saving to micro credit and micro credit to micro insurance. The programme was started in Bangladesh with initial financing of small amount loan of US $ 27 to 42 families affected badly by famine of 1974 by Professor Mohammad Yunus of Chittagong University. This resulted in establishment of Grameen Bank, Bangladesh generally known as modern micro credit institution. This book highlights the status of Microfinance in India with special reference to Odisha. It provides the information about the different stake holders, role and responsibilities and extended support over years. It further involves capturing of information related to grassroot level organization and execution of programme at Mayurbhanj (one of the tribal dominated district of Odisha). The book analyses prevailing and emerging status of SHGs, market scenario, financial status, socio economic impact and major challenges and opportunities. Silent features of this Book are: Highlighting the status of Microfinance and its execution at National and International context. Broad information about the different stake holders and their contribution in promoting WSHGs in Odisha. Importance of SHGs in Financial Inclusion (Saving and Credit Linkage). Addressing importance and status of WSHG federations in Odisha. WSHGs in Mayurbhanj and Role of Mission Shakti in their Development. Financial Institution and Credit Support to WSHGs in Mayurbhanj Financial Performance of WSHGs in Mayurbhanj Activities Undertaken and Problems Encountered.