Role of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in Enhancement of Women Empowerment: An Empirical Study with Special Reference to Kumaun Region of Uttarakhand

Microfinance has emerged as an important instrument to empower women and improve their status. Microfinance can accelerate a chain of beneficial economic empowerment outcomes by allowing women to access income-generating opportunities, ultimately leading to greater social and economic empowerment. The Self-Help Group Connection initiative seeks to empower poor women in rural areas by facilitating income-generating selfemployment activities and encouraging financial inclusion. This paper addresses two fundamental research questions on 400 female respondents from the Kumaun region, Uttarakhand. First, it examines how a woman’s preference for microfinance is related to her desire to increase her bargaining power within households. Secondly, it leads to women’s empowerment in terms of savings control, income growth, purchasing power, and decision-making. This paper includes key research that demonstrates a strong relationship between economic growth and financial freedom. Furthermore, it aims to assess the importance of microfinance in promoting economic empowerment of females