The opinions put forward by feminist writers : A Part from the Book Chapter : Rural Women Empowerment through SHG Federations in Telangana, India: A Path Analysis Approach

The opinions put forward by feminist writers in their works were viewed from a ‘development lens’ and the importance of participatory democracy became vivid. It was universally accepted the ‘Empowerment’ of women and weaker sections evolved on their own as a solution for the ‘search’ of many. It was rather a bottom-up approach created by women belonging to the developing world as empowered beings become agents of self-development and engines for their progress.

As a result, as time passes, women’s empowerment is regarded as an instrument for many ends, such as reducing poverty and promoting better governance and growth. It is also widely accepted that microfinance programmes like the Self-Help Group activities serve as catalysts for the set-in of women empowerment particularly in the economically disadvantaged classes.

Author(s) Details:

Janaki Thenneti
Aurora’s PG College, Osmania University, Hyderabad, India.

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Recent Global Research Developments in Using Self-Help Groups to Empower Rural Women in India

Exploring the Impact of Self-Help Groups on Empowering Rural Women:

• Basak and Roy Chowdhury (2023) conducted a study in eastern West Bengal to examine the impact of SHG membership on rural women’s empowerment. Using structural equation modeling, they found that women’s empowerment is significantly affected by economic, social, political, and psychological factors. SHG membership has a high moderation effect on economic and social empowerment¹.

Empowerment of Women through Self-Help Groups in India:

• While not the most recent, this review of literature analyzes available secondary sources related to SHGs and socio-economic empowerment of rural women in India from 2010-2020. It provides insights into the role of SHGs in empowering women².

Can Women’s Self-Help Groups Contribute to Sustainable Development?

• The World Bank’s report discusses capability changes resulting from SHGs in northern India. Although not specific to rural areas, it sheds light on the empowerment aspects of SHGs³.

Can Women’s Self-Help Groups Contribute to Sustainable Development? Evidence of Capability Changes from Northern India

• This paper offers an evaluation of a supported women’s self help program with over 1.5 million participants in one of the poorest rural regions of the world (Uttar Pradesh, India). [4]

References

1. Basak, D., Chowdhury, I.R. Exploring the Impact of Self-Help Groups on Empowering Rural Women: an Examination of the Moderating Role of Self-Help Group Membership Using Structural Equation Modeling. Glob Soc Welf 10, 299–311 (2023).
2. Empowerment of Women through Self-help Groups in India: A Review of Literature https://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2209277.pdf
3. Can Women’s Self-Help Groups Contribute to Sustainable Development?
   https://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/683131568380079720/pdf/Can-Womens-Self-Help-Groups-Contribute-to-Sustainable-Development-Evidence-of-Capability-Changes-from-Northern-India.pdf
4. Anand, P., Saxena, S., Gonzales Martinez, R., & Dang, H. A. H. (2020). Can women’s self-help groups contribute to sustainable development? Evidence of capability changes from Northern India. Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, 21(2), 137-160.