ABSTRACT: Female-headed households now constitute a significant and growing share of urban households in India. Yet, single mothers and widowed women remain among the least-studied and leastserved groups in urban policy research. This study examines their socio-economic conditions, employment patterns, and social inclusion in the peri-urban localities of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). Using a structured questionnaire administered to 31 purposively selected respondents, alongside secondary literature, the research identifies financial instability, limited access to employment, and social stigma as the primary barriers to empowerment. Survey findings indicate that 80.6% of respondents consider employment opportunities the most critical form of support, followed by financial aid (58.1%) and skill development (51.6%). While moderate levels of social inclusion exist in the MMR, persistent stigma — particularly against widowed women — continues to restrict full community participation. Government welfare programmes and NGO initiatives are recognised as important but are hampered by inadequate outreach. The study concludes that lasting empowerment requires a coordinated strategy integrating employment access, skill development, financial inclusion, affordable childcare, and sustained community sensitisation.

KEYWORDS: single mothers, widowed women, women's empowerment, social inclusion, Mumbai Metropolitan Region, welfare schemes, financial inclusion, female-headed households, gender equity

INCLUSION AND EMPOWERMENT OF SINGLE MOTHERS AND WIDOWED WOMEN IN THE PERIURBAN AREAS OF THE MUMBAI METROPOLITAN REGION

MANISH CHAVAN,
VIVEK CHAVAN,
RISHABH KUMAR,
DR SUNITA VIJESH YADAV
DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION,
THAKUR COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY KANDIVALI (EAST), MUMBAI – 400101, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA