Women-Empowerment Through Self-Help-Group (SHGs) (With Reference to Micro-credit)

Abstract

The study is aimed to understand multidimensional empowerment framework. It views empowerment as a process having personal, economic, social and political dimensions, with personal empowerment being the ‘core’ of the empowerment process. The study establishes that MFPs create empowerment promoting conditions for women to move from positions of marginalisation within household decision-making process and exclusion within the community, to one of greater centrality, inclusion and voice. The social processes of MFPs strengthen women’s self-esteem and self-worth, instill a greater sense of awareness of social and political issues, leading to increased mobility and reduced traditional seclusion of women. Most importantly, MFPs enable women to contribute to the household economy, increasing their intra-household bargaining power. However, the study recognises the limitations to the transformative capacities of MFPs, especially those operating from a minimalist framework, as economic empowerment doesn’t always lead to a reversal in gender relationships.

Keywords: Micro-finance, Women Empowerment

JEL Classification: G21