Self Help Groups and Women Empowerment: a Regional Perspective

This book tries to explain the role of SHGs in women empowerment in Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh, India. SHGs formed under NRLM as well as by the NGOs namely LCS and WLC were selected for the study. The SHGs have empowered women both in internal as well as external domains. At the internal domain, self-development, skill development, high attendance in the group meetings, maintenance of record and procedural records have been found. The external domains include women's participation in decision making processes, development of participatory approaches, competence and managerial capacity among the women. The major findings include (1) there has been enhanced women's participation in SHGs which is resulting in their socio-economic betterment. (2) Their economic independence through SHGs have provided them psychological advantages, beliefs, and attitudes to contribute in various ways for their betterment in society. (3) The involvement of women with the SHGs have also increased their Quality of Life (QOL) i.e. health conditions, educational status, decision making capacity and have also enhanced their influence in household decisions.

Autorentext

Dr. Tripti Kumari has earned her PhD in Geography from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India. She is an Assistant Professor at the MJK College, Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University, Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India. She has published few various research papers on Self Help Groups and micro finance in the recent past in many academic journals.