Abstract
The role of women in the agriculture sector and farmers' movements in India has been underexplored in academic literature, particularly in the state of Haryana, where agriculture sector and protests have historically been seen as male-dominated. However, the contemporary farmers' movement, especially in the context of the 2020-2021 farmers' protests against the farm laws, has highlighted the active involvement and leadership of women in rural and agrarian struggles. This paper explores the multifaceted role that women have played in agriculture sector and in the ongoing farmers' movement in north India, focusing on their participation, contributions, and challenges. It examines the women's engagement with the movement, as well as the ways in which this participation has transformed gender roles in rural areas. Through a combination of qualitative interviews, fieldwork, and secondary data, the study aims to provide a nuanced understanding of how women have emerged as crucial actors in the contemporary farmers' movement in Haryana. The paper concludes by discussing the implications of this growing participation for the future of agrarian sector and gender equality in rural India.
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