Supervisor: Dr Joe Whelan and Dr Catherine Conlon
Nationality: Indian.
Working Title of PhD: Operationalising ‘empowerment’ and ‘negotiations’ for female Aanganwadi beneficiaries: A Study in India through the lens of gender and caste.
Description of Research: The study aims to delve into the dynamics of how women interact with welfare systems, negotiate their needs, and define empowerment within the context of caste. The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) in India have significantly impacted women and children's well-being, yet there's a lack of literature on how they operationalize empowerment, especially around the lens of caste and the everydayness of their experience. The research aims to fill this gap by exploring how female beneficiaries of different caste groups navigate the welfare system from outside and within. The study's objectives include assessing welfare benefits, understanding women's responsiveness to schemes, and exploring social implications hindering maximum utilization of welfare policies. The endeavor is to shed light on the complex interplay of gender and caste in women's negotiations within welfare systems in India, with the ultimate goal of informing policy interventions and fostering gender equality and social inclusion.
Funder of Research: Trinity Research Doctorate Award and Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship