AN EMPIRICAL STUDY ON THE IMPACT OF SHG PARTICIPATION ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF RURAL WOMEN

The Research study aims to determine how important the Self-Help Groups (SHGs) are to women empowerment in the rural sector by examining the essential dynamics like engagement in the SHG activities, access to microcredit and financial services, skill building and skill training programs and group bonding and peer support. The research involves the utilization of empirical data comprised of 200 women members of SHGs in rural areas to test the correlation between the variables discussed as independent variables and the level of empowerment among women through the application of the statistical tests available such as Pearson correlation, chi-square tests, and regression analysis. The results show that the involvement of SHGs has a high and positive influence on the economic, social and psychological empowerment of the women. SHGs have also become a potent agenda wherein financial empowerment can be achieved and the ability to make substantial decisions and the feeling of comradery among the women can thrive. This paper identifies the usefulness of SHGs as a tool of grass root development and gives recommendations that can help to make their existence more effective. The findings not only add to the knowledge base in women studies as well as rural development but provide and insight to policy makers and development practitioners.