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Women Empowerment through
Self Help Groups: An Analytical Study |
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| Paper Id :
18467 Submission Date :
13/01/2024 Acceptance Date :
20/01/2024 Publication Date :
25/01/2024
This is an open-access research paper/article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. DOI:10.5281/zenodo.10604712 For verification of this paper, please visit on
http://www.socialresearchfoundation.com/anthology.php#8
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| Abstract |
Women's
entrepreneurship is seen as a way to help the economy grow because it creates
jobs for women and others, as well as different ways for society to manage,
organize, and run businesses. It also helps the family and the community as a
whole, and helps to reduce poverty. The rise of SHG’s is a sign that women are
stepping out of their comfort zones and keeping their place in society. This paper is
all about how Self Help Groups (SHGs) can help empower women. It's a great way
for the poor to get involved in development. SHGs are a great way for poor
women to learn how to save money and become financially independent. Women SHGs
are a different kind of intervention than most other programs. They're a great
way to help reduce poverty, promote women's development, and empower them.
Women SHGs have made it easier for women to be involved in the political,
economic, social, and cultural life of rural India. Women in India
now participate fully in areas such as education, sports, politics, media, art
and culture, service sectors, science and technology, etc. One of the most
famous female business success stories is the Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat
Papad. Another example we can take of the successful Mushroom farmer and
entrepreneur of Nalanda District under leadership of Anita Devi. |
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| Keywords | Self Help Groups, SHGs, Women Entrepreneurship, Women Empowerment, Women's Developments, Financially Independent. | ||||||
| Introduction | It's no secret that poverty, education, unemployment, and
lack of education are the main factors that have caused women to be
dispossessed in many developing countries. In India, women are often left to
fend for themselves and have limited opportunities to participate in social and
economic life. Poor skills, low wages, hunger, illiteracy, and domestic
violence are just a few of the obstacles they face. So, when poverty became a
bigger problem in our country, economic planners came up with different ways to
help people get out of it. The Government of India started various programs to
help people out of poverty and get gainful employment, which paved the way for
the Self Help Groups movement to help poor women groups get out of poverty. |
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| Objective of study |
This study seeks to evaluate the effects of SHG on
women-promoted SHGs. The objectives of the study include assessing the impact
of bank linkages on SHG members, assessing the socio-economic characteristics
of SHG members, assessing the capacity building and training needs of SHGs for
women, and assessing the leadership qualities of SHG members to engage in
higher income generating activities. |
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| Review of Literature | This study
focused on the role of SHG's in women's empowerment, specifically in terms of
economic and social empowerment, as well as poverty eradication. It's important
to look back at the literature that has been written on this topic, like S.
Harpal Singh's SHG: A Tool of Women's Empowerment. It's been argued that
participation, which can be done in many different ways, is the best way to
empower women. Whether it's voting and having an opinion, or running for office
with a chance of getting elected, political participation is a huge part of
empowering people. Women in thrift groups are becoming increasingly influential
in the political arena since the movement started in the 1990s. Even illiterate
tribal women have become community leaders of national importance. According to
Malik (2006), SHG micro enterprises meet four objectives: Poverty reduction;
Employment generation; Enterprise development; Empowerment of women;
Diversifying household economic activities; Importance of productive
activities; Economic security; Micro enterprises had a significant impact on
women's empowerment. According to NARAYANA RINGDY et al., 2005, Women empowerment
can only be achieved when society acknowledges women as one of the social
partners; Ensures equal rights for women; Facilitates equal education and
health; Offers equal and effective participation. According to Suganya M
(2006). In his study, SriRam M.S. (2005) looked at how microfinance and the
state have worked together in India since the early 90s. He found that the
state has been doing a lot to make it easier for people in poverty to access
financial services, which helps the state make the most of the resources it has
available for the poor. He also found that Self Help Groups have a big impact
on poverty alternation, as they not only help reduce poverty, but also teach
people how to start their own businesses and help them work together. |
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| Main Text | Concept of
Women Empowerment Women
empowerment is the process of increasing the participation of women and girls
in society, and improving their social, economic, and political status. It is a
complex and multifaceted issue, with a variety of factors that contribute to
it. One of the most
important factors in women empowerment is access to education and employment.
When women are educated and have the opportunity to work, they are able to earn
their own income and have a greater say in their own lives. They are also more
likely to be involved in decision-making at the household and community levels. Another
important factor in women empowerment is access to credit and financial
services. When women have access to credit, they are able to start their own
businesses or invest in their education or training. This can lead to increased
income and improved livelihoods. The
relationship between women's empowerment and social development has been a
major theme in studies of any nation’s overall development. Women comprise of
half of the country’s population, yet, they have limited control over income.
Most women remain confined to a narrow range of female low-income activities
resulting in gender discrimination. Poverty and unemployment are the major
problems of any under-developed countries, to which India is no exception. There is no
doubt that women are key to the development of any society. Studies have shown
that women's economic and social power has a huge impact on the economy.
Women's empowerment through SHGs could lead to benefits not just for the
individual members, but for the whole family and community. This study wanted
to see how the members of the women's SHG were doing and what the social
effects of being part of the group were. Self-Help
Groups (SHGs) Self-help
groups (SHGs) are one of the most effective ways to empower women. SHGs are
groups of women who come together to save money, borrow money from each other,
and start small businesses. SHGs provide women with a safe space to learn about
financial management, business skills, and leadership. They also provide women
with a support network of other women who can offer encouragement and advice. There are many
examples of how SHGs have empowered women in India. In one study, it was found
that women who were members of SHGs were more likely to be employed, have
higher incomes, and have better access to healthcare and education than women
who were not members of SHGs. Another study found that SHGs had a positive
impact on women's decision-making power within the household. SHGs are a
powerful tool for women empowerment. They provide women with the resources and
support they need to improve their lives. SHGs are also a cost-effective way to
promote women's empowerment. SHG is a small
group of rural poor, who have voluntarily come forward to form a group for
improvement of the social and economic status of the members. It can be formal
(registered) or informal. Members of SHG agree to save regularly and contribute
to a common fund. The members agree to use this common fund and such other
funds (like grants and loans from banks), which they may receive as a group, to
give small loans to needy members as per the decision of the group. Need of SHGs Poor women in
rural areas are often left behind due to a variety of factors, like being
socially backward, not educated, having low motivation, and not having a strong
economic foundation. But when they work together, they have the power to
overcome these obstacles. This is why SHGs are so important, as they can: help
the individual members of the group to use their skills to improve their own
economic situation, save money, and use local resources for group purposes.
They can also help raise awareness of rights that can help with financial
assistance. They can also identify problems, analyze them, and find solutions.
Finally, they can act as media for the village's economic development, build
trust and confidence, and develop leadership qualities. SHGs can offer
a number of benefits for women. They can provide a safe space to share
experiences and feelings, and to connect with other women who understand what
they are going through. SHGs can also provide practical support, such as
childcare or transportation. And they can offer a sense of community and
belonging, which can be especially important for women who feel isolated or
alone. Here are some
of the benefits of SHGs for women: i. Support:
SHGs can provide a safe space for women to share their experiences and
feelings, and to connect with other women who understand what they are going
through. ii. Practical
support: SHGs can also provide practical support, such as childcare or
transportation. iii. Sense of
community: SHGs can offer a sense of community and belonging, which can be
especially important for women who feel isolated or alone. iv. Empowerment:
SHGs can empower women by providing them with the opportunity to learn new
skills, develop their confidence, and take control of their lives. v. Advocacy:
SHGs can advocate for the needs of women in their community and work to improve
the lives of women. |
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| Findings |
The majority of
the population is between the ages of 20 and 40, and while a lot of them have
at least some basic education, a lot of them don't even have a high school
education. After joining SHGs, women saw a big jump in their employment and
income, and their standard of living improved. They also felt more empowered,
had more self-esteem, and were more aware of what was going on in the world.
There was also a strong connection between the group members and taking money
from the groups, and they not only empowered themselves, but also the community
by being role models. SHGs can be a powerful tool for women's empowerment, but
they also face some challenges. One of the
biggest challenges for SHGs is access to capital. Women in developing countries
often have difficulty accessing formal financial services, such as loans from
banks. SHGs can help women to overcome this challenge by providing them with a
way to save money and borrow money from each other. Another
challenge for SHGs is the lack of education and training for women. Many women
in developing countries do not have access to education or training, which can
make it difficult for them to participate in SHGs. SHGs can help to address
this challenge by providing women with education and training on financial
management, business skills, and leadership. Despite the
challenges, SHGs can be a powerful tool for women's empowerment. SHGs can help
women to improve their financial situation, build businesses, and gain
leadership skills. SHGs can also help to reduce poverty and improve the lives
of women and their families. Here are some
of the opportunities that SHGs can provide for women: 1. Financial
empowerment: SHGs can help women to save money, borrow money, and invest in
their businesses. This can lead to improved financial security and
independence. 2. Economic
empowerment: SHGs can help women to start and grow businesses. This can lead to
increased income and employment opportunities. 3. Social
empowerment: SHGs can provide a space for women to connect with each other,
learn new skills, and build confidence. This can lead to increased social
participation and leadership. 4. Political
empowerment: SHGs can help women to raise their voices and advocate for their
rights. This can lead to increased political participation and representation. Overall, SHGs
can be a powerful tool for women's empowerment. They can help women to improve
their financial situation, build businesses, gain leadership skills, and reduce
poverty. |
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| Conclusion |
Self-help
groups (SHGs) should take the initiative to provide minimal education to their
members, as the majority of them are illiterate. To increase employment and
income among rural women, government and non-governmental organizations should
create programs to encourage entrepreneurship among them. The analysis suggests
that SHG members have contributed to rural development, and thus the level of
awareness of their work should be increased. Furthermore, SHG members should
promote the products they produce by conducting exhibitions in both rural and
urban areas, in order to increase awareness and provide rural women members
with a wider range of exposure. This, in turn, will lead to more jobs, income
and economic growth in rural areas, thereby reducing the regional income and
wealth imbalances across the country. Women in India
now participate fully in areas such as education, sports, politics, media, art
and culture, service sectors, science and technology, etc. One of the most
famous female business success stories is the Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat
Papad. In 1990s, grants from foreign donor agencies enabled the formation of
new women-oriented NGOs. Self-help groups and NGOs such as Self Employed
Women's Association (SEWA) have played a major role in the advancement of women's
rights in India. The economic
development of India is contingent upon the productivity of both men and
women's labor. In the early days of India, women were confined to the home and
were largely ruled by men. However, in recent times, the social and cultural
landscape has changed significantly. With the introduction of Self Help Groups,
women are now engaged in a wide range of productive activities and are equal to
men in terms of income and expenditure. Women have been given a dignified place
in the family and society through the SHG movement. Their decision-making power
has been greatly enhanced not only in the family but in the society as well.
While the SHG movement has made progress in India, there is still a
considerable amount of work to be done to empower women in all aspects of
society. This is essential for the well-being of the family and the nation as a
whole. In conclusion,
women empowerment is a complex and multifaceted issue. However, there are a
number of factors that can contribute to it, including access to education and
employment, access to credit and financial services, and participation in
self-help groups. SHGs are a powerful tool for women empowerment and have been
shown to have a positive impact on women's lives. |
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and Revenkar, A. D. (2007), “Micro Credit through SHG for Rural Development”,
Southern Economist, Vol. 46, No. 8.pp 31-34 2. Gudaganavar,
R. and Sannasi, S. (2008) “Women entrepreneurship: The Road Ahead”, Southern
Economist, Vol. 46, No. 18, pp. 36-38. 3. GudaganavarNagraj,
V. and GudaganavarRajashri, S. (2008) “Empowerment of Rural Women through SHG”,
Southern Economist, Vol. 47, No. 19, pp. 35-37. 4. http://unicef.in/Story/518/Economic-empowerment-of-women-through-SHGs 5. http://www.isca.in/IJSS/Archive/v3/i1/3.ISCA-IRJSS-2013-198.pdf 6. http://www.slideshare.net/iaemedu/empowering-rural-women-all-the-way-through-self-help-groups 7. Malhotra,
Meenakshi (2004), Empowerment of Women, Isha Books, Delhi. 8. Manimekalai,
K. (2004), “Economic Empowerment of Women through Self-Help Groups”, Third
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Sunanda, (2003) “Smaranika, 2003”, Empowerment through SHG: A Case Study of
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