Volume : 2, Issue : 6, JUN 2016

THE ROLE OF SELF HELP GROUP IN ENHANCING ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF RURAL WOMEN IN ASANSOL, WEST BENGAL

Madhusree Dey

Abstract

Women represent almost 50% of the world population and receive only 10% of the world income and own even less than 1% of the world's property. They suffer many disadvantages as compared to men in terms of literacy rate, labour participation rates and earnings. The empowerment of women is crucial for the development of the country. Bringing women into the main stream of development is major concern for the governement of India. The ministry of Rural Development has special attention for women in its programmes and funds are 'women components' to ensure flow of adequate resource for the same. Since 1970s, the idea and practice of self help has developed worldwide as a major social phenomena for poverty alleviation and women employment. It has been widely acknowledged in development literature that self help group ( SHGs ) is one of the means to empower women by providing easy access to credit. This work tries to look at how SHGs contribute to the process of socio-economic empowerment of women. The present study highlights to evaluate the nature of business and its performance credit out by women through SHG in Asansol. A sample of 150 members was collected by simple random method out of 42 SHGs.
The study reveals that the main reason for becoming a group member is to get the eligibility for availing governement schemes and bank loan facility. The study also supports the evidence that in spite of the poor literacy rate, the savings performance are satisfactory. Women members are capable to earn certain income by running successful business activities and thereby supplementing their family income. The study also proved the role of wife in falling business decision is much more significant.The present study highlights the experiences of the members of SHGs and the contribution of these groups in income generation and thereby enhancing womenempowerment. It also focus that rural women's economic empowerment can be possible through SHGs.

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