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Emancipation of women, especially in socio-economic terms, is an essential pre-requisite for economic development and social progress. Economic independence of women creates farreaching social changes empowering them to face injustice and discrimination.

Women in Indian villages shoulder a large part of the agricultural labour and household drudgeries such as collection of fuel, fodder and water. Appropriate use of science and technoloy can help them welcome change in their life pattern. Technology is the key to development, to raise income productivity and living standards of the rural poor. For technology to be adopted, it must be simple and adapted to the needs which target employment generation, reducing drudgery, improving water safety and promoting health and nutrition.

A sample of 300 women trainees drawn from 15 rural villages in southern India was studied to evaluate acceptance and adoption of selected technologies and the impact of these technologies in the evolution of the socio-economic status of these women and their family.

This study surveyed technology transfer programs formulated in South India to impart technical skills to rural women. Adapted technologies are presented for generating employment, and for reducing drudgery. Details of the training programs are given, the attitude of the women is studied, and shortterm follow up regarding technology adoption is presented.