This study entitled “An evaluative Study on Women Self Help Groups of Punjab” was undertaken to study the profile and functioning of SHGs, know the opinion of officials/SHG members towards functioning of SHGs, asses the impact of SHGs on empowerment of women and identify the problems experienced by SHG members.
A sample of 150 members i.e. 75 from Ludhiana and 75 from Hoshiarpur were selected through random sampling technique. The data were collected with the help of interview schedule. The study revealed that majority of the SHGs were formed during the year 2008-09, had 16-20 members in their SHGs and were involved in 4-6 entrepreneurial activities. Majority of the SHGs adopted monthly pattern of meeting and found regular in their contribution towards saving.
The findings of the study also indicated that majority of the SHGs were charging interest on inter-loaning among members. Maximum numbers of SHGs were involved in food processing and beauty parlour, their major source of funding for running the enterprise was contributions made by the members. Findings further revealed that all the respondents indicated that SHGs had helped them to undertake income generating activities, set up micro-enterprise, improve availability of financial services and develop habit of saving. All officials agreed that SHGs helped them to undertake income generating activities to set up micro-enterprise with improved availability of financial services and have developed habit of savings. Majority of the respondents reported that there was improvement in economic resources of the family, women‟s own development, decision making regarding education, marriage of children and participation in social activities. Majority of the respondents achieved high level of empowerment through Self-Help Groups. The major problems experienced by members were lack of training opportunity and lack of guidance/ support from promoting agencies.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1 Evolution of SHGs in India
1.2 Self-help group approach to women empowerment
2. Review of Literature
2.1 Profile of SHG members and functioning of SHGs
2.2 Impact of SHGs on its members:
2.3 Problems faced by SHGs
3. Material and Methods
3.1 Locale of the study
3.2 Selection of districts
3.3 Selection of SHGs
3.4 Selection of sample
3.5 Operational definitions and measurement of variables:
3.5.1 Independent variables
3.6 Construction of research tools:
3.7 Pre-testing of the research instrument
3.8 Collection of data
3.9 Analysis of data
4. Results and Discussion
4.1 Profile of SHGs
4.2 Socio-economic profile of the SHG members
4.3 Functioning of SHGs
4.3.1 Criteria to select group leader:
4.3.2 Performance of various duties
4.3.3 Meetings
4.3.4 Distribution of members according to nature of contribution toward savings
4.3.5 Distribution of members according to the loan taken from SHG
4.3.6 Distribution of SHGs according to entrepreneurial activities
4.3.7 Factors influencing choice of enterprise
4.4 Opinion of members and officials towards functioning of SHGs
4.4.1 Opinion of members about SHGs
4.4.2 Opinion of officials about SHGs
4.5 Empowerment of women through SHGs
4.6 Problem faced by SHG members
5. Summary
Research Objectives and Key Themes
This study evaluates the profile, functioning, and impact of Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in the Punjab districts of Ludhiana and Hoshiarpur. It aims to analyze how these groups contribute to women's socio-economic empowerment, identify operational challenges, and assess the perspectives of members and officials regarding the efficacy of SHGs in fostering financial independence and community development.
- Socio-economic profiling of SHG members and group structures.
- Evaluation of operational efficiency, including saving and loan mechanisms.
- Assessment of women's empowerment in decision-making and economic status.
- Identification of structural and functional problems faced by SHG members.
- Analysis of the role of micro-enterprise and entrepreneurial activities in rural livelihoods.
Excerpt from the Book
1.1 Evolution of SHGs in India
The concept of self-help groups gained significance, especially after 1976 when professor Mohammed Yunus of Bangladesh began experimenting with micro-credit and women SHGs. The strategy made a revolution in Bangladesh in poverty eradication by empowering the poor women. In India the concept of self-help groups can be traced back to the Gandhian Gram Swaraj movement. It was mainly concerned with the poor and it is for the people and of the people. The existence of traditional saving groups has long and successful history in India. Informal SHGs oriented to saving and credit functions are not a new phenomenon (Desai and Namboodiri 2001). SHGs were widespread in the traditional and ancient times and they were the main basis of functioning of these societies. These groups acted as a major source for providing social and material support to individuals, families and communities in times of need.
With the increase in modernization, the needs of societies have undergone a change. In response to this, there is a revival of traditional SHGs with new structure and content to support the changing needs of people. This new concept of SHGs was introduced in India in 1985 by NABARD. Most of the SHGs of the country are concentrated in southern India and about 29000 are in Andhra Pradesh alone followed by Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Maharashtra (Rao 2002). Thus a new concept on empowerment of women by organizing them into Self-Help Groups (SHGs) was initiated in the ninth five year plan (1997-2002).
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: This chapter provides an overview of the status of women in India, highlighting the need for developmental interventions and the evolution of the Self-Help Group approach as a strategy for empowerment.
Review of Literature: This section presents a critical analysis of previous studies concerning the profile, functionality, impact, and challenges associated with Self-Help Groups across different regions in India.
Material and Methods: This chapter details the research methodology, including the selection of the locale (Ludhiana and Hoshiarpur), sampling techniques, tools for data collection, and the statistical methods used for analysis.
Results and Discussion: This central chapter presents the empirical findings regarding SHG functioning, socio-economic profiles, the impact of group participation on women’s empowerment, and the various problems encountered by the members.
Summary: This concluding chapter synthesizes the main findings, limitations of the study, and provides recommendations for future research and policy improvements related to the Self-Help Group movement.
Keywords
Self-Help Group, Empowerment, Enterprise, Women, Micro-finance, Rural Development, Punjab, Socio-economic, Saving, Credit, Entrepreneurship, Decision-making, Training, Marginalized, Income Generation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of Women Self-Help Groups in Punjab, specifically examining their role in the socio-economic empowerment of rural women.
What are the key areas covered in this study?
The study covers the organizational profile of SHGs, their operational functioning (savings and loans), the impact on women's empowerment, and common obstacles faced by members.
What is the primary objective of this work?
The primary objectives are to study the profile and functioning of selected SHGs, gather opinions from members and officials, assess the impact of these groups on women's empowerment, and identify operational problems.
Which methodology was employed for this study?
The researcher used a descriptive research design, collecting data from 150 members and 10 officials across 50 selected SHGs in Ludhiana and Hoshiarpur using semi-structured interview schedules.
What does the main body of the research address?
The main body examines the results of the data analysis, including socio-economic indicators, decision-making roles of women, training received, and the financial performance of micro-enterprises.
How is empowerment measured in this study?
Empowerment is operationalized as the influence women exert over financial resources, their own personal development, decision-making power regarding family welfare, and participation in social activities.
Did the study find that SHGs in Punjab help with poverty alleviation?
Yes, the results indicate that SHGs are a useful instrument for empowerment, helping members increase income, adopt saving habits, and reduce dependence on non-institutional money lenders.
What are the most significant problems identified by SHG members?
The study identifies a lack of training opportunities, limited guidance from promoting agencies, and restricted opportunities for large-scale income-generating activities as the most significant challenges.
- Quote paper
- Shikha Singh (Author), 2012, An Evaluation Study on Women Self-Help Groups of Punjab, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/456195
