The progress and all round development of a country depends upon harnessing the

skills and abilities of all sections of society regardless of caste, creed, religion and sex.

Women have been discriminated against for ages and they have not been given equal

opportunities in many social, economic and cultural spheres. If we do not involve

women in development activities, it not merely obstructs their own development but

also affects the progress of the entire nation. The status of women could be the best

indicator of a nation's progress.

Asthana (1974) endorses this view when she says; "the position of women in society is

the true index of its cultural and spiritual attainments". According to Sengupta

"women's role in the various walks of life has contributed to the evolution of values

which have counted for what may be described as all-round progress. Her status is the

measuring rod in assessing the standard of culture of any age." Hence for the economic

and social growth and development of the nation and community the complementary

roles of women and men is highly presses upon.