Social Impact of SHG among Rural Women

Abstract

A self-help group comprises rural individuals who have willingly organized themselves into a collective to systematically address and alleviate poverty among its members. The main aim of self-help groups is empowering women and enlightening their lives by working together and helping each other. The invisibility of women makes them weak and helpless in monitoring their family decisions. Self-help groups (SHGs) have the potential to serve as hubs for women’s empowerment, disseminating benefits throughout society. They can effectively organize and combat social issues such as alcoholism, domestic violence against women and children, abuse and exploitation, gender bias, and social exclusion. Ultimately, individuals reach a juncture where they can choose between enduring social, economic, and cultural impoverishment or mobilizing to eliminate their deprivations. The concept of self-help groups is designed to harness their potential as a potent instrument for alleviating rural poverty through the empowerment of women. It’s important to note that women’s empowerment, while a significant aspect, is not the exclusive objective in itself.