SELF–HELP GROUPS AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT (An Empirical Study done for Mulshi Taluka in Pune District of Maharashtra)

Dr. Thirumagal. J. Pillai

Volume : V, Issue : III, March - 2015

SELF–HELP GROUPS AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT (An Empirical Study done for Mulshi Taluka in Pune District of Maharashtra)

Dr. Thirumagal. J. Pillai

Abstract :

Micro finance has been playing a major role in many gender and development strategies because of its direct relationship to both poverty alleviation and empowerment of women. Micro finance Programs like the Self Help Groups in India are encouraged for their positive economic impact and the belief that they empower women. It is specifically against this background that the present study was undertaken to evaluate the nature and extent of empowerment in SHG rural women of Pune District. Analysis was conducted on the extent of various levels of empowerment achieved by the members through their participation in SHGs. The results strongly demonstrate that on an average, there is a significant increase in women empowerment of the Self Help Groups members. However, some key concerns such as training, awareness and feasibility of entrepreneurial developmental activities and support for increasing morale and confidence need to be addressed in order to reinforce women empowerment process all the way through micro financing.