• Dr. Shweta Patel
• Rajveer Agarwal
• Kushagra Nair
• Himanshu Singh

Education is not only a pathway to literacy but a lifelong instrument of empowerment—especially for women living in rural India. Over the past decade, the nation has witnessed remarkable progress in female literacy rates, yet deep-rooted barriers continue to restrict many rural women from accessing and completing their education. This study explores the current challenges—social, economic, infrastructural, and personal— that shape the educational experiences of women in rural areas, using data and policy reports from 2023–2025. It examines how government initiatives such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan have improved enrollment while highlighting the persistent gaps that limit real empowerment. The paper emphasizes that genuine gender equality in education cannot be achieved through policy alone; it requires a transformation in community attitudes, family priorities, and everyday practices. Through an analysis of national data, local interventions, and evolving social perceptions, this work argues that educating women is not simply a developmental necessity but a moral and social responsibility. The findings reaffirm that when rural women are educated, entire communities progress—economically, socially, and culturally.

Rural Women’s Education, Gender Equality, Women Empowerment, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Social and Economic Factors, Government Initiatives, India (Rural Development), Educational Infrastructure

"- Access and Barriers to Higher Education for Women in Rural India", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 11, page no.d705-d714, November-2025, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2511377.pdf

"- Access and Barriers to Higher Education for Women in Rural India", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 11, page no. ppd705-d714, November-2025, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2511377.pdf