Expanding Horizons - An Empirical Study of Women AI Technicians

Rural women substantially contribute to their families and communities mainly through agricultural and rearing and management of livestock. Most of the rural women are primarily engaged in gender based stereo-type work and have service orientation and in a sense extension of women¿s traditional role of care and support. This is the unique and only experiment at rural level, where women are successfully operating in the male dominated profession. In relation with working scenario of women, certain assumptions are prevailing in society. The myths are: Myth 1: Cattle breeding is a highly technical work and a woman cannot do this work. Myth 2: Cattle breeding work demands being mobile and attending calls at odd times and odd hours of the day, which is difficult for a woman. Myth 3: A woman cannot have both, family and profession. Myth 4: Rural communities will not accept woman performing the work of AI. Myth 5: Accepting a woman as AI worker is difficult task for male coworkers, supervisors and senior level management. The findings of this study indicate that these assumptions are myth and women can successfully work as AI technicians.