This study tries to assess through a field based study whether, to what extent, and in what ways the cumulative impact of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) interventions has been able to advance girls education and gender equality outcomes in selected contexts.

The mandate of the Committee was massive, to assess the status of women in India in all aspects of their lives, keeping in mind the diversities (class, caste, religion, ethnicity, region, abilities, age groups etc.), complexities and paradoxes that prevail in our society.

The Human Development Report for 1995 published by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) made a striking revelation that there was not a single country where women enjoyed equality with men.