Pillar: Agency & Engagement
37.7% of women in Varanasi own land in their name, better than the typical district. 69.5% take part in all three major household decisions, close to the typical district. The District Legal Services Authority provides the free legal aid that backs these rights when they are contested.
60% of registered enterprises are in services while 40% are in manufacturing. Only 5% of employment is in small and medium enterprises. 62% of school-age children are enrolled in higher secondary school (classes 9–12). Only 27% of ITI trainers are certified.
In Varanasi, which ranks 8 of 75 in Uttar Pradesh for youth opportunity, the overall opportunity score is 49.1 out of 100. It runs ahead of the national picture on households in the poorest wealth group at 13.9%. On women who own a house at 49.4% and women's freedom of movement at 38.2%, it sits close to the national mark.
Mandated services and how to locate the DLSA (Legal Aid) in Varanasi are in the Varanasi district course and the English reference guide (Hindi). See the Varanasi youth opportunity scorecard for the full district picture.