Economic Empowerment of Rural Women by Self Help Group Through Micro Credit

10 Pages Posted: 19 Jan 2013

See all articles by Psr Murthy

Psr Murthy

University of Madras; UNIVERSITY OF MADRAS

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: January 18, 2013

Abstract

Empowerment in the context of women’s development is a way of defining, challenging and overcoming barriers in a woman’s life through which she increases her ability to shape her life and environment. It is an active, multidimensional process which should enable women to realize their full identity and power in all spheres of life. The rural poor with the assistance from NGOs and various microfinance institutions have demonstrated their potential for self-help group to secure economic and financial strength. Various case studies prove that the credit availability has impact on women's empowerment. Thrift is a very important indicator of a group’s success because consistent growth in thrift is a clear indication of the growing confidence of the members in the group. Collection of thrift is a major activity of the SHGs. The poor who need money for purchase of various consumption goods quite often meet their contingencies by borrowing from professional money-lenders and others at high rates of interest. SHGs have been extremely effective in creating the habit of savings among the rural poor and mobilizing it for common good. Government and NGOs should look beyond credit and follow the 'credit with social development' approach. Policy implications and programme attributes are to be framed to achieve better results in reducing poverty and empowering women.

Suggested Citation

Murthy, Psr and Murthy, Psr, Economic Empowerment of Rural Women by Self Help Group Through Micro Credit (January 18, 2013). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2203040 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2203040

Psr Murthy (Contact Author)

UNIVERSITY OF MADRAS ( email )

CHENNAI, Tamil Nadu 600005
India

University of Madras ( email )

Chepauk
Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600005
India

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
776
Abstract Views
3,227
Rank
14,135
PlumX Metrics