Self-Help Groups as Catalysts for Economic Empowerment: A Study of Women in Nagpur Slums

Abstract

This research seeks to find out the economic empowerment of women living in the Nagpur city sl- ums by engaging with the Self-Help Groups(SHG). Since the women in these disadvantaged societies still struggle to overcome some socio-economic barriers, SHGs are now accepted means of empowering women to improve their livelihood. As part of this research, quantitative questionnaires are used alongside qualitative interview to assess the role of SHGs in improving women’s income earning capacities, skills acquisition, and access to finances.

The study also shows that women’s economic status is probably improved through formation of SHGs because; they are able to access credit facilities, engage in any type of business and bargain for better prices. Further, socio-cultural benefits for the formation of SHGs as identified in the study are that it builds up the confidence levels of the women, empowers the women in decision-making, strengthens the social obligations and group unity of the females. The findings highlight the need to improve policy support and organizational environment for the development of SHGs and their scale. Finally, this research establishes that SHGs act as a useful means through which economic enfranchisement might be achieved; the present study’s findings could therefore be useful to policymakers, development workers and community mobilisers who are interested in the upliftment of women living in urban slums.