ABSTRACT
Contemporary world history is a history of inequalities and one of the most basic inequities is that between men and women. This inequality has two aspects: biological and socio-historic. And it is the latter, often referred to as gender inequality, that is of concern here. On the basis of field evidences, this chapter attempts to understand the extent, nature, bases, processes and implications of gender differences in the families and communities involved in agriculture-related work. In addition to ownership of land and a residential home, women survey participants were also asked about the ownership of other assets. Almost half the survey participants answered that they own assets. However, a closer look suggests that much of such ownership is notional and not effective. Domestic violence is the most common method to ensure subjugation, including the parda system. Women in the study reported wife-beating by husbands.
