SHG-LED WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

In India, the Covid-19 outbreak has engulfed into misery one and all with almost similar intensity. However, the wrath of uncertainty and hitches has been more unprecedented for the already vulnerable like women. In this scenario, the role of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) becomes pivotal for the cause of the overall development and empowerment of women. A Self-Help Group (SHG) is a village-based financial intermediary committee usually composed of 10-20 local women. The members make small regular saving contributions for a few months until there is enough capital in the group for lending. Funds may then be lent back to the members or other villagers. These SHGs are then further ‘linked’ to banks for the delivery of microcredit. It lays emphasis on capacity building, planning of activity clusters, infrastructure build-up, technology, credit and marketing. Over the years, the SHG movement has grown significantly in India, and today there are over 7 million SHGs across the country with more than 70 million members, mostly women. The SHG movement has been instrumental in promoting rural entrepreneurship, generating employment opportunities, Inclusive society, bridging gender divide and empowering women.