Personal Experience of Managing a Self-Help Group – Mahalakshmi Swayam Sahayata Mahila Bachat Gat, Gujarwadi

Abstract In the 21st century, Indian Government has mainly focused on the financial inclusion policies. If gender wise population from 2015 to 2024 is considered, female population is recorded to be more than 50% in India. India is an agro based country and female population is involved more in productive works. In India, urban as well as rural areas are having record of female working population more than 50%. The concept of Financial Inclusion has played an important role in motivating female population as it helped them to be in the banking transactions. This research paper throws focus on the key aspects of the Mahalakshmi Self-Help Group (SHG) located in Gujarwadi, Taluka Shrirampur, District Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra. This study benefited in contributing in the moral development of female as well as women empowerment with the use of financial inclusion by having active participation in self help groups at village levels. It helped to have self identity and self reliance for women. Slef help groups are independent groups which can make their own policies and can take decisions for their own development. The Mahalakshmi SHG, which consists of ten women contributing a minimum of fifty rupees each month, has made each member to be financially literate and self dependent. As the group’s chairman, the researcher assigned monthly savings tasks to each member, while also guiding them in handling basic banking functions independently. This program has not only helped them to gain their self-confidence but also made them aware about the importance of financial inclusion. As well self-financing has enabled the members to explore business opportunities, with the researcher introducing them to various government programs aimed at their empowerment. Through economic independence and the group’s collective support, the women have gained social dignity and bargaining power.