Women Empowerment: Analysis of the Role of Self Help Groups in Empowering Rural Women in Goa

Abstract

Self Help Groups have emerged as an important mechanism to bring about socio-economic change in society. Various studies indicate the positive impact that SHGs have had on employment generation, savings, incomes, poverty alleviation and women empowerment. The present study, based on primary data sourced from women members of SHGs located in the state of Goa is an attempt to understand the impact of group membership on its members, particularly women. An attempt has also been made to throw light on the pivotal role that the Self Help Group Promoting Agencies essay in realising the goal of women empowerment. The study also analyses the independence that women exhibit in taking decisions, be it in the economic or political domain.