Self Help Group: An Effective Instrument for Women Empowerment

A life of dignity is the right of every citizen. Poverty is an obstruction to a dignified life. Self- employment is a significant step, to have sustained incomes and remove the shackles of poverty. Villages are faced with problems related to poverty, illiteracy, lack of skills, health care etc. These are problems that cannot be tackled individually, but can be better solved through group efforts. Today these groups known as Self Help Groups (SHGs) have become the vehicle of change for the poor and marginalized. They are seen as goal instruments for empowering women, developing leadership qualities among poor people, increasing school enrollments, improving health and nutrition and the use of birth control. Programmes for self-employment of the poor have been an important component of the anti-poverty programmes implemented through Government initiatives in the rural areas of India. This paper is based on the interactions and discussions held with the Self Help Groups in Betgeri, Narasapur and the surrounding rural areas, interactions with entrepreneurs and officials of The Gadag Chamber of Commerce & Industry and District Industries Center, Gadag.