Impact of self help groups and micro-finance on economic empowerment of women-A case study of Haveri district in Karnataka

Abstract

Empowerment of women is a process as well as the outcome of the process by which women gain greater control over resources-physical, financial, intellectual and challenges the ideology of patriarchy and the gender based discrimination against women in all institutions and structures of society. Women empowerment is necessary as women face gender specific barriers. They constitute a vulnerable section of our society. They are subjected to severe incidence of poverty. Formal credit institutions are averse to extend credit to them as they perceive them as high risk clients for credit supply. Hence, micro-finance is extended through SHGs to ensure them economic security by enabling them to take up self employment involve in income generating activities. SHGs provide an avenue for promoting their savings and helping them access to bank credit without collateral. Thus women gain economic independence and achieve empowerment through SHG-microfinance programme. the study conducted in Haveri district has revealed positive economic empowerment of women SHG members through enabling them to gain self employment, additional income generation and promotion of their savings through SHGs.