ROLE OF SHGS: TOWARDS EMPOWERMENT OF RURAL WOMAN & RURAL DEVELOPMENT

The very existence of SHGs acts a great boost to make the poor self-reliant and to give them hope. Not only do the SHGs help in increasing their income, improving their status in the society but it’s ultimately the nation that reaps the advantages of socialism. The harsh reality is that rural poverty and unemployment still persist in the society and women’s earnings positively and directly affect a family’s financial condition .Social conventions and gender ideology deprive women of the access to resources which would enable them to increase productivity .Woman Empowerment is setting a woman free to make her own choices, even if those choices go against any one’s perception of right and wrong . The most important change that the SHG culture has brought in the country is to change the gender dynamics of power within a family and ultimately the society at large. They now have greater say in the family matters and also are seen as stakeholders and partners in taking the community forward. The financial independence has eventually paved the way for societal upliftment of women and their voices.