Work and Employment
As far as Gender wise Work Participation Rates, it is serious that while “all female workers”, are increasing in Bihar –‘main female workers are declining’, confirming that females as marginal workers are increasing and form the large pool of rural informal sector. Male WPR rate have also consequently declined. Migrant men leave in search of work leaving behind de facto female headed households (FHH) (30-40%).  FHH have higher burden & poverty incidence as is documented elsewhere. Food insecurity, time & asset poverty  seems to mark female work pattern (all female headed household typology).   Rural casual labour is also highest among women.
  

Source: NFHS-II (1998-99)

Social or Economic Reform first?
Pre-entry capital discrimination requires women are invested in, for as a major public expenditure. Could women in Bihar currently even integrate into the national systems, before becoming global? (health / education indicators)

Social reform
Seclusion ideology / patriarchal traditions often do not allow women mobility (caste, class, gender variables intersect to make it more intense in Bihar). Further,   dowry can be seen to be the family’s investment on girls / women.  A serious change of the family / male attitudes in investing on girls’ / women’s education seems the real answer to Bihar’s development.

Asset / Time Poverty
Further, land titles need to be in women’s names or use of common property resources. Asset /time poverty need to be dealt with alarming out-migration of males from Bihar and ‘the usufruct rights’ (to fuel/fodder/water) becoming more difficult (time therefore is in paucity for poor women and more so for FHHs).

Public Expenditure
Approximately 23% of Bihar public expenditure seems on health / education – but the ground level “outcomes” need further examination in the light of the above status.  Delivery mechanisms need tightening (i.e. NREGA, MMA, SSA, ICDS).  As a tax payer,  the citizen in Bihar needs to generate a demand – not expect the state to deliver all goods and services (check if the teacher is on time or PHC doctor at work - citizens need to assert themselves).  The patronage and dependence on the government has to move from “a jajmani relationship” (patron  - client).

Institutional
A separate Department of Woman & Child is essential.  Targeted allocations/investment on female literacy if ”she or he is to be part of a integrated global market” is absolutely mandatory.

• Economic opportunities for women have to be in the areas of skill formation,  collective action (micro enterprises / groups), credit facilities (SHGs/ thrift), market  linkages  (design / markets)
• Women in PRI’s need to be strengthened by capacity building. NGOs need to confront Proxies – including political parties.  Mere reservation of 50% for women in PRIs is often negated when we look at the figures by a ‘Hunger Project Study’.  This indicates that nearly 70% of elected women members in Bihar have spouses/family with criminal records).
• NGOs have to play a greater role advocating with citizens, being consumers’ watch dog and/or develop SHGs in each village (currently only about 20-25,000 SHGs exist in Bihar by rough estimates).

 Conclusions

• Social safety nets in Bihar for poor women needs serious review.  Women that live in areas of worst forms of poverty require survival packages during SAP.
• Strengthening “the rule of law” is essential for markets to operate- there is a place for politicians/NGOs/academicians and “the market separately”. One must allow these to function as independently as possible.
• The ‘SHG’ can well nigh be a interim social safety net as a transitory measure.  The current 25,000 SHGs should be enhanced ten fold considering that around 25 million rural poor women exist in Bihar.
• Campaigns on a war footing through media/indigenous folk forms on “Girl child enrolment” are most vital.
• Capacity building of women in PRIs could also slowly change the mind set.  Proxy women candidates have in the past (as documented elsewhere) been “an initial phenomena” and continuous training could well slowly transform pro active engagement of women members (1,00,000 or so).
• Public expenditure and outcomes of public institutions in Bihar need review.  The Bihar Task Force in the Planning Commission should be strengthened with resources to engage in a pro-active role.