evaluation of women’s work empowerment and its role in economic development in rural areas (case study: kounani district of kouhdasht county)

purpose: for the time being, the status of women in any society is an indicator of a society progress; indeed more attention will be paid to this fact day in day, and international organizations and institutes which involved in development activities have put their emphasis on this subject. one of the main important approaches to improve the women status is to empower their situation in important aspects of life and particularly in economic. therefore, the aim of this research was to investigate the women empowerment and their role in development of rural area economy. methodology: this paper is a practical, and the study was descriptive- analytical is survey. in which two ways documentary and is survey (questionnaires and interviews) is used to collect the data needed. the study population, are residing rural womens in the kounani district in kouhdasht county (10895) among them 330 people, were selected by simple random sampling. findings: the results of the study indicated that the highest level of women empowerment in economic sectors was related to agricultural activities, which had a direct and significant relation with age and income variables. it was also found that women, who had higher-level of empowerment, will be more capable of earning higher income. research limitation: one of the challenges of this study was to visit the area of the study and to prepare and fill out the questionnaire among rural women who were facing the traditional attitudes. practical implication: with conclude accurate recognition of women abilities in various fields of occupational and also to determine their potential and capabilities empowerment of, such interest, confidence, knowledge and expertise, local experience and knowledge, responsibility, and it is easier to achieve women's empowerment. original/value: achieve to women's empowerment on the one hand can lead to a decrease in female unemployment and increase their ability to perform various activities, and on the other to improve social and economic conditions of their families and ultimately lead to rural development in various aspects.