Role of SHGs in Women Empowerment

This article looks at the roles and impact of SHGs on women empowerment. Women are almost one half of the world‟s population having enormous potential. Women economic empowerment is essential for raising their status in society. Traditionally, Indian women have had a dependency syndrome as far as employment is concerned. Women are workers but not earners and the women who are earning, getting more respect in family as well as in society. The SHGs are good source of micro-financing, encouraging the rural women to save the money for self loaning. This article attempt to evaluate and analyze the role of SHGs in women empowerment based on an empirical study which was carried out in two villages of Sonepat district namely Rasoi and Lehrara in Haryana. To conduct the study, a sample of 95 women from both the villages was selected on the basis random sampling method. A structured questionnaire was prepared by the investigator herself and interview schedule method was used to collect the data. The percentage method was used to analyze the data. The findings of field based data clearly suggest that SHGs continue to play a positive role in meeting economic needs of its members and empowered them and more data, research and analysis is required to understand the SHGs role in women empowerment.