Role of Cooperatives in Women Empowerment: A Case of Surkhet District, Nepal

This study aims to identify the contribution of Mangalgadhi Multipurpose Cooperative Limited (MMCL) on economic, socio-cultural and political aspects women empowerment who were involved in MMCL. The was conducted Birendranagar Municipality Surkhet district among 120 beneficiaries Out 441 members MMCL only with five years experience cooperative activities randomly selected for data collection. Primary collected through structured questionnaire, focus-group discussions key informant interviews. Paired samples t-test applied three different domains empowerment; dimensions. result specifies that all indicators found significant impact women’s empowerment. there difference after involvement programs. Women empowered their economic activities, maintain social relationship, reduce gender disparity, involve program, conduct cultural program participate activities. They have expanded network relationship saving credit program. shows need expansion hard-to-reach areas also empower economically, socially, culturally politically disadvantaged groups.