Women Empowerment Through Micro Finance � A  Comparative Study of Rural and Urban Self Help Groups in  Madurai District

Dr. K. Rajeswari; Mrs. S. Guru Priya

Volume : III, Issue : III, March - 2013

Women Empowerment Through Micro Finance � A Comparative Study of Rural and Urban Self Help Groups in Madurai District

Dr. K. Rajeswari, Mrs. S. Guru Priya

Abstract :

The women SHGs are novel organizations at the grass root level to ing a socio–economic transformation to women of South India. The money lenders (Kandhu vatti and katta panchayath groups) in Madurai charge around 20–24% per month for a given amount. This is huge amount of interest, apart from the principal that was borrowed. Self Help groups charge starting from 2% per month or 24% per annum and that helps a lot of lives in Madurai. In this situation SHGs play a major role in emancipation of women. The article makes an analysis based on the opinion received from representatives of the groups in rural and urban areas to know how the SHG is used as an effective instrument in enhancing the economic position of women, the way in which the members are empowered and to identify the challenges which they meet. From the study it is found that women reprentatives Education of children, Self decision, Ready to take risk and Lending capability have improved and there is a high level of participation in their group meeting.