Gender Perspectives in Rural Employment: The Role of Human Resource Management in Empowering Women through Self-Help Groups in Telangana

Women's empowerment is essential for achieving inclusive and sustainable rural development, particularly in developing countries where Self-Help Groups (SHGs) play a significant role in improving women's socio-economic conditions. The present study examines the influence of Human Resource Management (HRM) practices on the economic, social, and psychological empowerment of women participating in SHGs in the districts of Nalgonda, Suryapet, and Yadadri Bhongiri in Telangana. The study adopted a quantitative research design, and primary data were collected from 320 women SHG members using a structured questionnaire. Stratified random sampling was employed to select the respondents, and the collected data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The findings reveal that HRM practices, namely Training and Development, Performance Recognition, Leadership Building, and Group Facilitation, have a statistically significant positive influence on women's empowerment. However, Conflict Resolution did not exhibit a significant relationship with the three dimensions of empowerment. The study concludes that integrating structured HRM practices into SHG activities enhances women's skills, leadership capacity, confidence, and participation in socio-economic development. The findings provide useful insights for policymakers, rural development agencies, and community-based organisations in strengthening SHGs as effective platforms for women's empowerment and sustainable rural development.