WOMEN EMPOWEMENT PROGRAMMES

Impact of Self-Help Groups on Socio- Economic Development of poor household women and economically weaker section society.

Micro- Financing: benefit for rural poor households Self-help has aimed at enhancing profitability for rural people. The low economic growth of this country was perceived to be due to lack of capital resources, especially in rural areas. Microfinance through SHG has become a ladder for the poor to bring them up not only economically but also socially, mentally and attitudinally and above all help them break through the stronghold of exploitative money lenders.

Bank – SHG linkage : Banks provided financial support to SHGs which had grown almost spontaneously without any intervention. The SHGs were initially on the basis of a common activity, Problem and took up thrift and credit activities.

Economic Empowerment: According to the report by National Commission for Women (NCW) , in India, women work for longer hours than men do. The proportion of unpaid activities to the total activities is 51% for females as compared to only 33% for males. Over and above this unpaid work, they have the responsibilities of caring for household which involves cooking, cleaning, fetching water and fuel, collecting fodder for the cattle, protecting the environment and providing voluntary assistance to vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals in the family. This shows that though there is still a long journey ahead towards women empowerment. Women's are save small amount of money regularly and mutually agree to contribute a common fund. But this does not fulfill all their needs. Indebtedness has become the hallmark of the rural life.

Social Empowerment: The social empowerment means that the woman should get an important place in her family and society and should have a right to enable her to make use of available resources. It has resulted in developing self-confidence, self-esteem and self-respect also. And uplift the living conditions of the poor household women. As the woman has now increased presence in banks, Gram Panchayats, various Government committees etc., her social status is seen somewhat elevated.