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A STUDY ON IMPROVEMENT OF THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF

WOMEN THROUGH SELF HELP GROUPS IN DENKANIKOTTAI,


KRISHNAGIRI DISTRICT

RESEARCH PROJECT

Submitted by

A. RAKESH (19-PSW-037)

Under the Guidance of

Dr. GLADSTON XAVIER

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK

LOYOLA COLLEGE (AUTONOMOUS)

CHENNAI-600034

I
CONTENT
S.NO PARTICULARS PG.NO

1 TABLE OF CONTENTS I

2 CERTIFICATE OF II
APPROVAL
3 DECLARATION III

4 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT IV

5 LIST OF TABLES V

6 ABSTRACT VI

II
TABLE OF CONTENT
S.NO CONTENT PAGE NO

CHAPTER 1 I. Introduction 13 to 17
II. Need and
importance of the
study
III. Aim of the study
IV. Objectives of the
study

CHAPTER 2 I. Review of literature 18 to 27


II. Bibliography

CHAPTER 3 I. Introduction 28 to 31
II. Research design
and methods
III. Geographical
area of study
IV. Universe of study
V. Sampling
VI. Tools of data
collection
VII. Pre test
VIII. Analysis
IX. Limitation
X. Definition of
concepts
XI. Abbreviation

CHAPTER 4 I. Analysis and 32 to 75


interpretation

CHAPTER 5 I. Main findings 76 to 80

CHAPTER 6 I. Suggestions and 81 to 83


conclusion

ANNEXURE – 1 I. Interview schedule 84 to 90

III
CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL

This is to certify that A. RAKESH has done their research project entitled “A STUDY ON
IMPROVEMENT OF THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF WOMEN
THROUGH SELF HELP GROUP IN DENKANIKOTTAI, KRISHNAGIRI
DISTRICT”, during the year 2020-2021 in the Department of social work, Loyola college
(Autonomous) Chennai 34., in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree in M.A.
Social work. This research project represents entirely on the independent work on the part
of the candidate under my Supervision and Guidance.

Dr. GLADSTON XAVIER

Research Guide

Assistant Professor

Department of social work

Loyola college, Chennai.

IV
DECLARATION BY THE RESEARCHER

I sincerely declare that this research project entitled “A STUDY ON IMPROVEMENT


OF THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF WOMEN THROUGH SELF HELP
GROUP IN DENKANIKOTTAI, KRISHNAGIRI DISTRICT” an original work of
mine under the guidance of Dr. GLADSTON XAVIER, Department of social work,
Loyola college (Autonomous), Chennai 34, during the academic period, 2020-2021. I
further state that this research project has not previously formed the basis for the award of
and degree, diploma or other similar title.

A. RAKESH

(19-PSW-037)

V
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First and foremost, my sincere thanks to my parents who is the pillar behind my success
and their encouraging words are more valuable whenever I feel down.

I extend my sincere gratitude to my research guide DR. GLADSTON XAVIER. It is my


pleasure to work under his guidance. His encouraging words and wonderful guidance will
be remembered forever.

Finally, I thank all the respondents who gave their time to collect the data.

A. RAKESH

(19-PSW-037)

VI
LIST OF TABLES

Table No Description Page. No

1. Distribution of respondents by Education 32

2. Distribution of respondents by Marital Status 33

3. Distribution of respondents by types of family 34

4. Distribution of respondents by members active 35


Participation in the SHG meeting

5. Distribution of respondents by skills developed by 36


the SHG

6. Distribution of respondents by reasons for the women 37


to join in SHG

7. Distribution of respondents by reasons for the way in 38


which the Respondents become SHG Members

8. Distribution of respondents by SHG members 39


reasons for joining in SHG

9. Distribution of respondents by family support 40


provided to the SHG members

VII
10. Distribution of respondents by the satisfaction of 41
SHG members on the loans provided

11. Distribution of respondents by the benefits perceived 42


through SHG

12. Distribution of respondents by Government funding 43


accessibility through SHG

13. Distribution of respondents by psychological benefits 44


acquired through SHG

14. Distribution of respondents by development in the 45


Standard of living through SHG

15. Distribution of respondents by development of the 46


Social Status through SHG

16. Distribution of respondents by development of 47


Relationship and Networking Skill of the SHG
members

17. Distribution of respondents by problem-solving skills 48


of the SHG members

18. Distribution of respondents by decision-making skills 49


and opportunities in families of the SHG members

19. Distribution of respondents by decision-making skills 50


and opportunities in communities of the SHG
members

VIII
20. Distribution of respondents by the opportunities to 51
involve in social action for the SHG members

21. Distribution of respondents by Financial Control in 52


the family of SHG members

22. Distribution of respondents by Small business run by 53


the SHG members

23. Distribution of respondents by Increase in Annual 54


Income through SHG

24. Distribution of respondents by increase in savings 55


through SHG

25. Distribution of respondents by awareness about 56


Banking system before joining in SHG

26. Distribution of respondents by women Access to 57


Savings and Credit

27. Distribution of respondents by access and control 58


over properties and assets after joining in SHG

28. Distribution of respondents by money lenders 59


coming to the area after the SHG

29. Distribution of respondents by SHG members 60


borrowing money from Money lenders

30. Distribution of respondents by members opinion of 61


Access to money lenders is easier and Beneficial

IX
31. Distribution of respondents by influence of money 62
lenders after joining in SHG

32. Distribution of respondents by women freedom to 63


exercise their voting Rights after joining in SHG

33. Distribution of respondents by Leadership skills and 64


opportunities to women after joining in SHG

34. Distribution of respondents by members participation 65


in protest after joining in SHG

35. Distribution of respondents by members participation 66


in protest after joining in SHG

36. Distribution of respondents by petition given to local 67


body through SHG

37. Distribution of respondents by SHG Financial help at 68


the times of Covid19

38. Distribution of respondents by Provision of Relief 69


materials through SHG in COVID-19

39. Distribution of respondents by awareness through 70


SHG in Covid times

40. Distribution of respondents by serious problem faced 71


during Covid19
72

41. Distribution of respondents by members opinion on 73


difficulty to run SHG actively after Covid19

X
42. Distribution of respondents by members health 74
affected during Covid19

43. Distribution of respondents by SHG idea to achieve 75


Goal together

44. Distribution of respondents by members Opinion on 76


Taking up SHG concept to next generation

XI
ABSTRACT

This research specifically deals with the study on socio-economic status of women through
SHG. The concept of SHG serves to be important factor in the lives of rural women. The
SHG concept have been a major program for the poverty alleviation. Rural Indian Women
are facing a lot of problems. They were not given equal rights and always been
discriminated by the male domination society in terms of decision making, control over
finance, giving their opinions and so on.

The concept of SHG revolves around collective action, women leadership, small savings,
internal lending, bank loans, and so on. The SHG have provided a holistic development in
the lives of rural women. The banking system have reached all the households under the
leadership of women through SHG. SHG provides a psychological support to the members
and increased their self-confidence, self-esteem, and made them more optimistic.

For the purpose of the study the data has been collected from 51 samples in Denkanikottai.
There were 30 Self-help groups in Denkanikottai, Krishnagiri district. Twenty-eight groups
were approved by the government it consisted of 360 women constituting the universe of
the study. The researcher collected the data through structured questionaries and analyzed
the data. This study will address the various reasons for the women to join in the SHG,
various skills developed by the women through SHG, their increase in the standard of
living, their control over finance, savings, and many more. Moreover, this study will give
a clear picture on how the socio-economic status of women have been improved through
SHG with special reference to denkanikottai district.

1
CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

2
CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

A STUDY ON IMPROVEMENT OF THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF


WOMEN THROUGH SELF HELP GROUP IN DENKANIKOTTAI,
KRISHNAGIRI DISTRICT

Introduction:

Rural India is the actual soul of the country where a maximum of its population resides
yet it is also the most neglected and ignored by the Government. The major victims of the
issues that are present in the rural India are the women. Rural Indian Women are facing a
lot of problems. The rural women of india had to face so much of barriers to overcome
their problems. Some barriers are

• Socio-cultural barriers
• Motivational factors
• Knowledge in Business Administration
• Awareness about the financial assistance
• Exposed to the training programs
• Identifying the available resources

Women Empowerment is a word which everyone uses frequently. There are


Many reasons behind women empowerment which differs between every woman For Rural
women, the role of SHG is vital in improving the status of women. SHG concept came
from Mohammed yunus of Bangladesh. This SHG made a revolution among rural women
of Bangladesh. SHG is a group of women coming together and they form a small group.
They work under the principles of mutual help and self-help. These women start to do small
savings. In India, SHG gained importance when NABARD introduced SHG-BPL (Bank

3
linkage program) in the year 1992. This program becomes the largest microfinance
program in the world. And very important thing to be noted is the banking system reached
the poorest of the poor through SHG.

In TamilNadu the SHG got boosted up when Mahalir Thittam was introduced.
Under Mahalir Thittam many SHG's were formed. The major aim Mahalir Thittam is to
eradicate money lenders who gives money for high interest. The SHG was also encouraged
by providing subsidy to the Group and the government also provided goats for women in
SHG who are in below poverty line. The SHG which completes 6 months become eligible
for credit ranking. The strength and weakness of the group can be known through grading
the group. Regularity of savings, frequency of meetings, proper Maintenance of register,
internal loaning and the repayment are the parameters of rating the group. Micro finance
intervention through SHG 's programs are well recognized world over as an effective tool
for poverty alleviation and improving socio economic status of rural poor in India.

Through SHG women are not only empowered economically, the SHG provides
an Holistic development in the life of women. The rural women are getting boosted up to
Banking procedures and women are the ultimate decision makers. The women in SHG
develops managerial skills and improvement in literacy level happens. The objective of
SHG is to bring empowerment through self-help concept and development through
participation. Operation of SHG includes opening the SHG bank account, small savings,
internal loaning, and credit linkage.

Income, assets, welfare and economic power are positively and significantly correlated
with the level of economic empowerment of rural women through self-help group. Rural
women are the members of SHG and they are actively engaged in savings and credit. The
SHG women's are empowered economically and socially through group activities and also
their managerial skills and literacy levels are improved. The system of SHG breaks the
exploitation and isolation of women from men.

4
Importance of SHGs

1. Pool the individual resources and savings, which the banking system fails do (due to
inadequate banking system in India)

2. Facilitates the members to employ themselves in numerous self-employment


opportunities

3. Help in raising the living standards of the concerned members

4. Reduce the dependence on the informal credit sources

Thus, SHGs appear to be instrumental in rural poverty alleviation. Economic


empowerment through SHGs, provides women the confidence for participation in decision
making affairs at the household-level as well as at the community-level. It fulfils the
purpose of solving their common problems through self-help and mutual help.
The SHG promotes small savings among its members. The savings are kept with a bank.
These savings at a later time tend to be a greater source of savings among its members.

The self-help group (SHG) approach is a new paradigm into the field of rural development
which main objectives are to increase the well-being of the poor people, provide access to
resources and credit, increase self-confidence, self-esteem and increase their creditability
in all aspects of lives.

Aim of the Research

- To study the Socio-economic development of women through SHG.

5
Objectives of the research:

✓ To understand the social and economic condition of women joining in SHG.


✓ To identify the reason for joining in SHG
✓ To analyze whether SHG eradicated the money lenders
✓ To study the challenges faced by women through SHG
✓ To Understand whether SHG made any contribution in their political empowerment
✓ To study about the purpose of loans being used

NEED AND IMPORTANCE OF THE STUDY:

SHGs have emerged as a powerful instrument in order to eliminate poverty


and for the empowerment of women in the rural economy. The participatory approach is
being used as an important element of economic empowerment. This study will help to
understand the holistic development of women through SHG and also by analysing the
socio-economic empowerment of women it will contribute towards future development of
the same.

6
CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

7
CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

INRODUCTION:

The literature on empowerment of women has been seen in several studies. In India the
further reported that role of women work participation rate is so poor but role of women in
the development of nation is very important. SHGs help the women in uplifting their living
conditions and also encompass the social, economic, educational level to improve their
empowerment level. The component of empowerment are access to economic resources,
participation in economic decision making, opportunity for self-development, participation
in socio-political decision making.

This chapter contains a review of the socio-economic development of women through


SHG. The secondary data was compiled from books, journals, magazines and published
literature, websites and web resources.

HISTORY OF SHG:

Microfinance history can be traced to early 1700’s when a number of saving and credit
groups were being operated all over the world such as Susus of Ghana, Chit funds in India,
Tandas in Mexico, Arisan in Indonesia, Cheetu in Sri Lanka etc. and along with these,
formal institutions were being operating to lend to the poor who were deprived of credit by
the commercial banks. In early 1700s author and nationalist, Jonathan Swift, initiated
Micro Credit organization in Ireland and after that by 1840s about 300 funds were spread
all over the Ireland. In 1800s a number of institutions and agencies were named as People’s
Bank, credit union, saving and credit co-operation, emerged in Erope. In 1870s number of
formal saving and credit institutions were expanded over the regions of Germany Europe
and North America. Between 1950s and 1980s have been focused marginal factors in order

8
to raise productivity and income by Government and donore. This kind of policy was given
a new shape by Dr. Mohumod Yunus in 1972.

This piloted programmed later in 1983 named Gramin Bank of Bangladesh. In 2006 Nobel
Foundation awarded Noble prize to Dr. Mahumod Yunus and his Gramin Bank of
Bangladesh. In this regard country like India has been seriously pursuing this new model
of Microfinance over the last 30 years to eradicate poverty with the help of NABARD.

The origin of SHG is the brain child of GBB which was founded by the economist Prof.
Mohamod Yunus in the year 1975. SHG is a small economically homogeneous and affinity
group of rural poor which voluntarily contributes to a common fund to be lent to its
members as per group decision. It works for group solidarity, self-group, awareness, social
and economic empowerment in the democratic functioning. The SHG movement becomes
a silent revolution in the rural credit delivery system in many parts of the world. In 1997,
world micro credit summit held at Washington converge the developing and developed
countries to tackle the serious problem of poverty with microcredit as a tool to empower
the poorest section. A global movement has been launched to reach 100 million of the
world poorest families by the year 2005.

SHG IN THE SOUTHERN PARTS OF INDIA

The article on Role of self-help groups in socio economic change of vulnerable poor of
jammu region, Sushil Kumar Mehta, Hari Govind Mishra & Amrinder Singh (2011), says
in their study of the SHGs promoted by Gramudyog Hastakala Kendra. Total samples were
10 SHGs consisting of 162 members have been taken to study the various aspects of the
SHGs such as educational profile, economic status and occupational pattern etc. pre and
post SHG formation. The overall findings of the study suggest that SHG – Bank Linkage
Programme has mproved the access to financial services for the rural poor and impacted
the socioeconomic conditions of SHG members.

Sahu Lopamudra and Singh (2012) in their article A Qualitative Study on Role of Self-
Help Group in Women Empowerment in Rural Pondicherry made a community based
9
qualitative study in Pondicherry. Focus Group Discussions (FGD) were conducted among
six SHG groups (one each) on feasibility basis. It is found that the women SHG members
have gained respect and trust in society and were able to plan for the future of their families.
Self Help Groups played very important role in Women empowerment and should be
promoted for economic development of the country.

Kasthuri (2014) in her article on A Study on Self-Help Groups in Dharmapuri District


where the main objective is to study the growth of Self-Help Groups and Micro Finance in
the Dharmapuri District and to analyze the empowerment of the women members after
joining Self-help Groups. The study shows that the social, domestic and economic
empowerment of the sample respondents of SHG in the study area enhanced largely and
concludes that of various developmental models, SHG model proves to be effective in
addressing the staggering issue of absolute poverty and the change agent in society.

The study on the impact of self-help groups on the socio-economic development of rural
household women in tamilnadu, Saravanan (2016), was conducted through secondary
sources to analyze the impact of self-help groups in rural households. The article says that
empowering women is not just for meeting their economic needs but also more holistic
social development. There is evidence of increased household income. Standard of living
for the program participants have increased and also the food security is much more for the
program clients.

The article on Economic Empowerment of Rural Women through SHGs with reference to
Coimbatore District, Renuga Devi, Nirmala Devi (2017) says that the present study is a
fact-finding exercise to know the extent of influence of socio-economic variables on the
economic benefits derived by members of Self - Help Groups. The primary data was
collected by interviewing selected sample members with the help of an interview schedule
on the Pollachi taluk. It was found that the members are economically benefited because

10
of their membership in self-help group and the members were able to spend for education
of children and also, they were able to meet financial challenges in their day-to-day life.

C.B. Senthilkumar (2020) in his article A study on women empowerment through self-help
groups with special reference to Villupuram district says that the empowerment of women
has been apparent as a focal issue in deciding their status in recent years. Data has been
gathered through a field overview. The sample size of the examination is 300 respondents
and used stratified random sampling method. The survey has used to gather the information
from respondents. The study area is Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu. The collected data
has been analysed using discriminant analysis. By hypothesis testing it was found that there
is huge distinction between empowerment of woman subsequent to joining SHGs among
different self-help group members.

N. Rajagopal (2020) in his article on Social Impact of Women SHGs: A Study of NHGs of
‘Kudumbashree’ in Kerala analyzed the social impact of SHGs by taking samples from the
tribal and non-tribal areas in the district of Palakkad, Kerala. A detailed survey conducted
among 600 respondents. The outcome of the study reveals that SHGs have created a social
platform for women to improve social activities and strengthen its members’ social
bondage. Finally, the study helps us to understand the need for promoting the role of SHGs
as a means of ‘social change’ for the socialization process of women.

SHG IN THE NORTHERN PART OF INDIA

Dr. Punithavathy Pandian & R. Eswaran (2002) in his study ’Empowerment of Women
Through Micro-Credit’ says that in India, this universal concern found recognition in the
Sixth Plan, i.e., 1980-85. Micro-credit which has provided the rural poor access to finance
without the burden of collateral through Self Help Groups has empowered the women folk
economically and socially. Though the credit provided is micro in nature, it has produced
macro changes in the lives of the women who received it.

Dr. Leelamma Devasia and Jancy Antony (2002), in their study ‘Study of SHG in Alivora
slum of Vishakhapatnam’ studied that the slum has been created to rehabilitate the poor
11
from Hyderabad city as part of the City Development Programme. The present study is
carried out in Alivora slums of Visakhapatnam. There is approximately 75,000 populations
and majority of them are S.C. or B.C. Most of them work as daily wage earners. The women
are either housewives or doing menial jobs. The women were organized by a VO
(Voluntary Organization) about 15 years ago as SHGs. They concluded that SHG members
has been created development progamme for the city.

P. Satish (2004) in his study Rural Finance: Role of State and State-owned Institutions,
observed that Governments have a critical role to play in development of agricultural and
rural financial institutions. But state involvement in the management and implementation
of rural financial system has proven expensive and inefficient. Subsidized credit
programmes which are part of state intervention in rural financial markets undermine the
institutional sustainability of financial institutions, distort rural finance markets and
discourage savings mobilization and fail to develop market-driven sources of funding. The
revival of the state-owned rural financial institutions is possible without a wholesale
structural and ownership change. Some of his conclusions are- A policy of pushing
agricultural credit should be supported by a policy to make agricultural activities, the
intervention of the state in rural financial institutions has to be minimal and indirect. The
state has to withdraw from the direct control and micro management of the rural financial
institutions without prescribing policies, programmes and targets, and create an enabling
enviromnent for these institutions to function with the requisite operational freedom.

Amita Rani and Pawan Kumar Dhiman (2012) in their article Dimensions and
Apprehensions of Self-Help Groups: An Analysis conducted a research among the SHG’s
members of Jakhal block district Fatehabad Haryana. The sample size was 100 from seven
villages of Jakhal block by conducting interview and observation method and it had been
found that these groups were not working up to the mark due to conservative family culture
and poor educational background of the masses. It had also been found that among
surveyed group members after starting SHG activities only 6 percent of the member’s
family income increased more than INR 20,000 per annum, 55 percent’s income increased

12
up to INR 20,000 annually, 26 percent’s income in-creased up to INR 10,000 and 13
percent members income had not improved in the post SHG period and forfeiting the
objectives of the government policies.

The article on Impact of Self-help Group in Socio-economic development of India,


Sundaram (2012) says that Microfinance is playing a significant role in alleviate poverty
and rural development. Since women are the sole family caretaker, proper emphasis should
be given to the rural women. Microfinance to the rural SHGs is a way to raise the income
level and improve the living standards of the rural women. The Self-Help Groups have
proved the way for economic independence of rural women. Thus, it can be concluded that
the self-help groups contribute substantially in pushing the conditions of the female
population up.

Yadav (2013) in his article on Women Empowerment through Self-Help-Group: A case


study of Nagthane Village where the the objective is to understand women empowerment
through self-helf-groups of Nagthane village. The primary data has been collected through
questionnaire and secondary data consists of books, journals, and websites. Thus, the paper
emphasizes that the SHGs are the effective instruments of women empowerment and it
also made many suggestions to improve the self-help group among the rural community.

The article on Socio-Economic Conditions of Women Beneficiaries in Anantapur District,


Andhra Pradesh, Jenney muthyalu Job paul (2015), where the three mandals in Anantapur
district were selected for the selection of sample women members of SHGs. The study is
based on the primary data collected from 450 women SHG members. In this study the
Socioeconomic status (SES) is measured as a combination of education, income, and
occupation. The study revealed that Socio economic condition of women have an positive
impact on the life of beneficiaries.

The article on Self Help Groups (SHGs) as a Tool of Socioeconomic Development of Rural
People in the Mekong Region, Manjunatha Venkatappa and Theo Ebbers (2015), is a Case
Study with special reference to the Kratie and Stung Treng provinces of Cambodia. It was

13
found that the SHG members have been able to build up technical skills for their own small
businesses as the programme has offered training for tailors, beauticians and enterprise
development. An assessment of the groups’ financial performance and management as the
basis for credit rating that identifies well-performing groups that are entitled to receive
bigger loans will allow members to further expand their businesses. Through the SHGs
lending 200 new micro-enterprises have been created and it strengthened more than 150
existing enterprises.

The article on Impact of Self-Help Groups on Economic Empowerment of Women in


Assam, Rahul Sarania(2015), where study was based on data collected from total of 100
members in Baksa district of Assam through interview of SHG women. The study revealed
that number of incomes generating activities were undertaken by the members after joining
SHGs. The result showed positive change in indicators of economic empowerment, viz.,
income, employment and savings after joining the SHG. The majority of the respondent’s
income, employment days and amount of savings increased in the post-SHG situation as
compared to pre-SHG situation. Thus, the study concluded that SHGs have been playing a
vital role in the empowerment of rural women in the study area.

Malhotra Sharad (2016) in his study on Contribution of Self-Help Groups in The Socio-
Economic Development of The Women where data was gathered principally from the
individuals from the self-help groups working in Chandigarh. Survey was filled from the
woman members. A few information was also collected from the bank to get the official
image of these self-help groups that will additionally dissect the genuine circumstance. The
information was gathered from the SHG individuals who are woman oppressed woman of
rustic zone. SHGs have come up to inspire the country poor and. They are exceptionally
dynamic in taking an interest with government and non -government associations. Woman
have picked up certainty and inspirational demeanor.

14
REVIEW GAP:

From the overview of the existing literature on the Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and
empowerment of women, it is clearly visible that a comprehensive study on SHGs is very
much limited. This existing literatures on SHGs and their role for women empowerment
provides the basic to do the present research study. At the same time this research study
has been undertaken to enhance the existing knowledge on the socio-economic status of
women through SHG.

CONCLUSION:

Therefore, the studies on women development and empowerment and their problems
related to specific policies and programs implemented by different governments have
gained considerable importance in analyzing various factors which are instrumental for
overall development of women. In this regard, a large number of studies have attempted to
unveil socio economic and political factors which contribute immensely to the economic,
political and social empowerment of women.

15
Bibliography:
1. Amita Rani and Pawan Kumar Dhiman (2012): Dimensions and Apprehensions
of Self-Help Groups: An Analysis. International Journal of Economics and
Business Modeling. Vol. 3. No. 2. 2012
2. C.B. Senthilkumar (2020). A study on women empowerment through self-help
groups with special reference to Villupuram district. Journal of Critical Reviews
3. Jenney muthyalu Job paul (2015). Socio-Economic Conditions of Women
Beneficiaries in Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh. Indian journal of research
4. Kasthuri (2014). A Study on Self-Help Groups in Dharmapuri District.
International Journal of Science, Technology and Humanities
5. Leelamma Devasia and Jancy Antony (2002), in their Study 'Study of Study of
SHG in Alivora slum of Vishakhapatnam. www.nabard.org.
6. Malhotra, S. (2016). Contribution of Self-Help Groups in The Socio-Economic
Development of The Women. International Journal of Research in Social
Sciences
7. Manjunatha Venkatappa and Theo Ebbers (2015). Self Help Groups (SHGs) as
a Tool of Socioeconomic Development of Rural People in the Mekong Region.
GMSARN International Journal
8. Punithavathy Pandian & R. Eswaran (2002). Empowerment of Women Through
Micro-Credit. Novel Corporation
9. Renuga Devi, Nirmala Devi (2017). Economic Empowerment of Rural Women
through SHGs with reference to Coimbatore District. International Journal of
Engineering Development and Research

16
10. Rahul Sarania (2015). Impact of Self-Help Groups on Economic Empowerment
of Women in Assam. International Research Journal of Interdisciplinary &
Multidisciplinary Studies (IRJIMS)
11. Satish (2004) Rural Finance: Role of State and State-owned institutions.
www.nabard.org
12. Sushil Kumar Mehta, Hari Govind Mishra & Amrinder Singh (2011). Role of
self-help groups in socio economic change of vulnerable poor of jammu region.
International Conference on Economics and Finance Research
13. Saravanan (2016). The impact of self-help groups on the socio-economic
development of rural household women in tamilnadu. International Journal of
Research – GRANTHAALAYAH
14. Sundaram (2012). Impact of Self-help Group in Socio-economic development
of India. IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science (JHSS)
15. Sahu Lopamudra and Singh, Suresh K (2012): A Qualitative Study on Role of
Self-Help Group in Women Empowerment in Rural Pondicherry, India.
National Journal of Community Medicine. Vol. 3. No. 3. July-September 2012
16. Yadav, Sanjay V (2013): Women Empowerment through Self-Help-Group: A
case study of Nagthane Village, Tal: Palus, Dist-Sangli. Online International
Interdisciplinary Research Journal. Vol. 3. No. 3. May-June 2013.
17. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0258042X20922116

17
CHAPTER 3

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

18
CHAPTER 3

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

INTRODUCTION

Research methodology is the specific procedures or techniques used to identify, select,


process, and analyze information about a topic. The methodology section allows the reader
to critically evaluate a study's overall validity and reliability. Research methodology is a
way to systematically solve the research problem. It may be understood as a science of
studying how research is done scientifically.

RESEARCH DESIGN:

The researcher will use descriptive research design. The goal of descriptive research is to
describe a phenomenon and its characteristics. This research is more concerned with what
rather than how or why something has happened. Therefore, the researcher used survey
tools to gather data. Here, the researcher has portrayed the views of the SHG Women. In
this research, the researcher aims to Study on improvement in the socio-economic status of
women through SHG in Denkanikottai. So Descriptive Research Design is the most
suitable to this research.

GEOGRAPHICAL AREA OF STUDY:

The study has been conducted in Denkanikottai of Krishnagiri District.

UNIVERSE OF THE STUDY:

There were 30 Self-help groups in Denakanikottai, Krishnagiri district. Twenty-eight


groups were approved by the government it consisted of 360 women constituting the
universe of the study.

19
SAMPLING:

Due to covid19, the researcher has used convenience sampling method to collect the data
where the samples are taken from a group of people easy to contact or to reach.

TOOLS OF DATA COLLECTION

The universe of the study was fixed and the researcher used a customized interview
schedule to collect data. The interview schedule considers for 7 parts. They are:

1. Demographic details of the Respondent


2. Socio Economic Background of the Respondents
3. Social Empowerment of the Respondents
4. Economic Empowerment of the Respondents
5. Political Empowerment of the Respondents
6. Covid19
7. Future Development of SHG

PRE-TESTING:

The researcher in order to validate the data conducted pretest among 5 SHG
Denkannikottai. Based on the feedback received minor changes are made to the tool.

DATA COLLECTION:

The data was collected from 15/1/2021 to 18/01/2021.

ANALYSIS:

The collected data was entered in Microsoft excel to generate and analysis the research.

LIMITATIONS:

• This study was conducted only among 30 SHG groups in Denkanikottai which
cannot be generalised to the whole rural women.

20
• Due to covid restrictions Probability techniques could not be used
• The respondents can be biased at some times.

DEFINITION OF CONCEPTS:

• Self Help Group is a community-based group with 10-25 members. They are
usually women from similar social and economic backgrounds, all voluntarily
coming together to save small sums of money, on a regular basis.
• SHG Bank linkage program: SHG-BLP is to link the unorganized sector of our
population to the formal banking sector. Typically, this segment of the population
is from the lower-income that used to meet its financial needs through limited
informal sources such as money lenders, traders, family, and friends, etc.
• Internal lending: The savings to be used as loans for members. The purpose,
amount, rate of interest, etc., of internal lending is to be decided by the group itself.
• Socioeconomic status refers to a person's position in the social hierarchy and is
determined by their income, wealth, occupational prestige, and educational
attainment.

ABBREVIATIONS:

• BLP – Bank linkage program


• NABARD - National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development

CONCLUSION:

The SHG concept has an important role in alleviating poverty in rural areas
and improving the living condition of the poor. It provides for a holistic development
among the rural poor women which helps the banking system to reach the poorest of the
poor. Thus, the study will be contributing factor to understand the role of SHG in improving
the condition rural women.

21
CHAPTER 4

ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

22
CHAPTER 4

ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

Education of the respondents

Table 1
S. No Particulars Frequency Percentage
1 Below 10 30 59
2 HSC 15 29
3 Graduate 4 8
4 PG 2 4
Total 51 100

Table 1 refer to the education of the respondents a majority of respondents 59 per cent had
studied below 10th standard only 11 per cent of the respondent had studied graduate and
above It can be said that the overall education of the respondents are quite low 59 per cent
who had studied below 10th standard.

23
Marital Status of the Respondents

Table 2
S. No Particulars Frequency Percentage
1 Married 48 94
2 Unmarried 3 6
3 Total 51 100

Table 2 refer to the Marital status of the Respondents.94% of the respondents were married.
It was found that almost all the respondents were married. This was because most women
belonging the Self-help Group join them mostly after they got married.

24
Type of Family of the respondents

Table 3
S. No Particulars Frequency Percentage
1 Joint 24 47
2 Nuclear 27 53
3 Total 51 100

Table 3 refer to the types of family to which the respondents belong. It was found that 53
Per cent of the respondents lives in nuclear family and 47 per cent of the respondents
belongs to Joint family. It shows most of the respondents are living in nuclear family.

25
Attending SHG meeting Of the Respondents

Table 4
S.No Particulars Frequency Percentage
1 very regularly 33 64
2 Not regularly 12 24
3 Irregularly 5 10
4 Somewhat Regularly 1 2
Total 51 100

Table 4 refer to the SHG members active Participation in the SHG meeting where 64 per
cent of SHG members are Regular to SHG meeting and 10 per cent are irregular to SHG
meeting. This shows majority of People are Regular to SHG meeting because only in the
meeting all the decisions will be taken collectively.

26
Skills of The Respondents
Table 5
S.No Particulars Frequency Percentage
1 Communication Skill 14 28
2 Entrepreneur Skill 1 2
3 Management Skill 4 8
4 All the above 32 62
Total 51 100

Table 5 indicates the skills which was developed by the SHG where 62 per cent of the
respondents have mentioned that through SHG they have developed Communication,
Entrepreneurship, and Management Skill as a whole. This shows that SHG has an Overall
impact in the Persons inner skills.

27
Joining Reason in SHG of the respondents

Table 6
S.No Particulars Frequency Percentage
1 Income 15 29
2 Recognition 7 14
3 To get loans 23 45
5 Interest towards SHG 6 12
Total 51 100

Table 6 refers to the varied reasons for the women to join in SHG where 45 per cent have
joined to get loans, 29 per cent have joined to get income, 14 per cent have Joined to get
Recognition in the society and 12 per cent have joined because of their interest towards
SHG activities. This shows most of the women preferred to join SHG to get monetary
benefits.

28
Reasons for the way in which the Respondents become SHG Members
Table 7
S.No Particulars Frequency Range
1 Through NGO activities 21 41
2 Through Existing SHG Group 29 57
3 Out of own Interest 1 2
Total 51 100

Table 7 refer to how women became a part of SHG where 57 per cent of women have
joined through Already existing SHG Group, 41 per cent have joined through NGO
activities and 2 per cent have joined by their own interest. This shows most of the people
have joined after seeing a greater impact from Already existing SHG group.

29
Reasons for Interest in Joining SHG of the Respondents
Table 8
S.No Particulars Frequency Range
1 Activities of SHG 4 8
2 Financial Support 18 36
3 Own Savings 26 50
4 Immediate financial help 3 6
Total 51 100

Table 8 refers to the SHG members reasons for joining in SHG where 50 per cent of the
Respondents have joined to have own savings,36 per cent have joined to get financial
support, financial help, 8 per cent have joined through SHG activities and finally 6 per cent
have joined to get immediate financial support. This shows SHG plays an important role
in members savings.

30
Family Support of the Respondents

Table 9
S.No Particulars Frequency Range
1 Strongly Agree 25 49
2 Agree 25 49
3 Dis Agree 1 2
Total 51 100

Table 9 refers to the family support provided to the SHG members where 49 per cent have
strongly agreed, another 49 per cent agreed and only 2 per cent have disagreed to the
statement. This shows family members have understood the purpose of SHG and thus
extended their full support.

31
Loans Satisfaction of the Respondents

Table 10
S.No Particulars Frequency Range
1 Highly Satisfied 16 30
2 Satisfied 28 55
3 Dis satisfied 6 12
5 Highly Dissatisfied 1 2
Total 51 100

Table 10 refers to the satisfaction of SHG members on the loans provided where 55 per
cent have satisfied, 30 per cent have highly satisfied, 12 per cent are dis satisfied and only
2 per cent have been highly dis satisfied. This shows the SHG members are mostly satisfied
with the loans provided.

32
Types Benefits Perceived by the Respondents

Table 11
S.No Particulars Frequency Range
1 Social 7 14
2 Financial 19 37
3 Domestic 3 6
4 All of the Above 22 43
Total 51 100

Table 11 refers to the benefits perceived through SHG by its members where 43 per cent
have acquired social, financial and domestic benefit as a whole, 37 percent have acquired
a financial benefit, 14 per cent have acquired social benefits, and 6 per cent have acquired
domestic benefits. This shows that the members have acquired more social benefits.

33
Government Funding Accessibility of the Respondents

Table 12
S.No Particulars Frequency Range
1 To large Extent 4 8
2 To some Extent 29 57
3 Not at all 18 35
Total 51 100

Table 12 refers to the Government funding accessibility through SHG where 57 per cent
have agreed to some extent, 35 per cent have said not at all and 8 per cent have agreed to
large extent. This shows SHG does not play a major role for accessibility of government
funding.

34
Psychological Benefit of the Respondents

Table 13
S.No Particulars Frequency Range
1 To large Extent 24 47
2 To some Extent 24 47
3 Not at all 3 6
Total 51 100

Table 13 refers to the psychological benefits acquired through SHG where 47 per cent have
agreed to large extent, 47 per cent have agreed to some extent and 6 per cent have not
agreed to it. This shows SHG provides a psychological benefit of having people around
them.

35
Standard of Living of the Respondents
Table 14
S.No Particulars Frequency Range
1 To large Extent 38 75
2 To some Extent 13 25
Total 51 100

Table 14 refers to the development in the Standard of living through SHG where 75 per
cent agreed to large extent and 25 percent have agreed to some extent. This clearly shows
through SHG concept it's members have increased the standard of living.

36
Social Status of the Respondents

Table 15
S.No Particulars Frequency Range
1 Enhanced 50 98
2 Not Enhanced 1 2
Total 51 100

Table 15 refers to the development of the Social Status through SHG where 98 per cent
have agreed that SHG have enhanced the Social status and 2 per cent have disagreed to it.
This shows through SHG concept have enhanced the Social status of the SHG members.

37
Relationship and networking skills of the Respondents

Table 16
S.No Particulars Frequency Range
1 Improved 51 100
2 Not Improved 0 0
Total 51 100

Table 16 refers to the development of Relationship and Networking Skill of the SHG
members where 100 per cent have agreed to the statement. This shows through SHG
women have started to develop relationship and networking with various People.

38
Problem solving skills of the respondents

Table 17
S.No Particulars Frequency Range
1 Increased 49 96
2 Not Increased 2 4
Total 51 100

Table 17 refers to the problem-solving skills of the SHG members where 96 per cent have
agreed that SHG concept have increased their problem-solving skill and 4 per cent have
disagreed to it. This shows in SHG the members may encounter various problems but they
tend to solve all the problems by themselves and thus it increases the problem-solving
skills.

39
Decision making skills and opportunities in the families of the respondents

Table 18
S.No Particulars Frequency Range
1 Enhanced 51 100
2 Not enhanced 0 0
Total 51 100

Table 18 refers to the decision-making skills and opportunities in families of the SHG
members where 100 per cent have agreed to it. This shows the SHG have provided
opportunity to raise their voice in all the decisions of the family.

40
Decision making skills and opportunities in communities of the respondents

Table 19
S.No Particulars Frequency Range
1 Enhanced 41 82
2 Not enhanced 9 18
Total 51 100

Table 19 refers to the decision-making skills and opportunities in communities of the SHG
members where 82 per cent have agreed to it and 18 per cent have said it has not been
enhanced. This shows the SHG have provided opportunity in their communities which is a
most welcoming one.

41
Opportunities to involve in social action of the respondents

Table 20
S.No Particulars Frequency Range
1 Increased 38 75
2 Not Increased 13 25
Total 51 100

Table 20 refers to the opportunities to involve in social action for the SHG members where
75 per cent said it has been enhanced and 25 per cent have said it has not been enhanced.
This shows through SHG the members show interest in solving their community problems
through collective action.

42
Financial Control of the Respondents

Table 21
S.No Particulars Frequency Range
1 Self 13 25
2 Husband 13 25
3 Husband and Wife 25 50
Total 51 100

Table 21 refers to the Financial Control in the family of SHG members where 50 per cent
of the financial control is within the husband and wife, and 25 per cent of the financial
control is within self and Husband respectively. This shows the financial control inside the
family have been seeing a greater change where husband and wife together take up a
decision.

43
Small business run by the SHG members

Table 22
S.No Particulars Frequency Range
1 Started 11 21
2 Going to start 18 35
3 No idea to start 22 44
4 Total 51 100

Table 22 refers to the Small business run by the SHG members where 44 per cent of the
respondents have no idea to start, 35 per cent of the respondent are going to start and 21
per cent of the respondents have already started. This shows the rural women are not so
interested in starting up a new business.

44
Increase in Annual Income

Table 23
S.No Particulars Frequency Range
1 Strongly Agree 29 57
2 Agree 14 28
3 Dis Agree 6 12
4 Strongly Agree 1 2
Total 51 100

Table 23 refers to the Increase in Annual Income through SHG where 57 per cent have
strongly agree, 28 per cent have agree, 12 per cent have disagree and 2 per cent have
strongly disagree to it. This shows more than half of the SHG members have increased in
annual income through SHG.

45
Increase in savings

Table 24
S.No Particulars Frequency Range
1 Strongly Agree 35 69
2 Agree 14 27
3 Dis Agree 2 4
Total 51 100

Table 24 refers to the increase in savings through SHG where 69 per cent have strongly
agree, 27 per cent have agree and 4 per cent have disagreed to it. This shows the members
have increased their savings amount after joining in SHG.

46
Awareness about Banking system

Table 25
S.No Particulars Frequency Range
1 To large Extent 5 10
2 To some Extent 19 37
3 Not at all 27 53
Total 51 100

Table 25 refers to the awareness about Banking system before joining in SHG where 53
per cent are not aware about banking system, 37 per cent have agreed to some extent, 10
per cent have agreed to large extent. This shows that the banking system have greatly
reached the SHG members.

47
Women Access to Savings and Credit

Table 26
S.No Particulars Frequency Range
1 Increased 51 100
2 Not Increased 0 0
Total 51 100

Table 26 refers to the women Access to Savings and Credit where 100 per cent of the SHG
members have agreed that it has been increased. This shows women have a greater access
to savings and credit through SHG.

48
Access and Control over Properties and assets
Table 27
S.No Particulars Frequency Range
1 Enhanced 48 94
2 Not Enhanced 3 6
Total 51 100

Table 27 the access and control over properties and assets after joining in SHG where 94
per cent of the agreed that it has been enhanced and 6 per cent have said that it has not been
enhanced. This shows the members have enhanced in their control over properties and
assets.

49
Money lenders coming to the Area

Table 28
S.No Particulars Frequency Range
1 Strongly Agree 12 23
2 Agree 29 57
3 Dis Agree 9 18
4 Strongly DisAgree 1 2
Total 51 100

Table 28 refers to the money lenders coming to the area after the SHG has been formed
where 57 per cent have agreed, 23 per cent have strongly agreed, 18 per cent have disagreed
and 2 per cent have strongly disagreed to it. This shows though SHG is active in the
community the money lenders are still coming to the community.

50
SHG members borrowing money from Money lenders
Table 29
S.No Particulars Frequency Range
1 Strongly Agree 1 2
2 Agree 20 40
3 Dis Agree 26 50
4 Strongly DisAgree 4 8
Total 51 100

Table 29 refers to the SHG members borrowing money from Money lenders after joining
in group where 50 per cent have Disagree, 40 per cent have Agree, 8 per cent have strongly
disagree, 2 per cent have strongly agree to it. This shows the SHG members have stopped
borrowing money from money lenders to a greater extent.

51
Access from money lenders is easier and Beneficial

Table 30
S.No Particulars Frequency Range
1 Strongly Agree 13 25
2 Agree 14 28
3 Dis Agree 19 39
4 Strongly DisAgree 4 8
Total 51 100

Table 30 refers to the members opinion of Access to money lenders is easier and Beneficial
than SHG where 39 per cent have Disagree, 28 per cent have agreed, 25 per cent have
strongly agree and 8 per cent have strongly disagree to it. This shows the SHG members
have partially agreed that access from money lenders is not easier and beneficial.

52
Influence of Money lenders

Table 31
S.No Particulars Frequency Range
1 Reduced 43 85
2 Not Reduced 8 15
Total 51 100

Table 31 refers to the influence of money lenders after joining in SHG where 85 per cent
of the respondents have said it was reduced and 15 per cent have said it has not reduced.
This shows SHG played a major role in reducing the influence of money lenders.

53
Womens freedom to excersise their voting Rights

Table 32
S.No Particulars Frequency Range
1 Improved 50 98
2 Not Improved 1 2
Total 51 100

Table 32 refers to the women freedom to exercise their voting Rights after joining in SHG
where 98 percent have said it has improved and 2 percent have said it was not improved.
This shows the women freedom to exercise their voting rights have improved.

54
Leadership skills and opportunities to women

Table 33
S.No Particulars Frequency Range
1 Enhanced 49 69
2 Not Enhanced 1 2
3 No Change 1 2
Total 51 100

Table 33 refers to the Leadership skills and opportunities to women after joining in SHG
where 96 per cent have said it was Enhanced and 2 per cent said it was not enhanced. This
shows the leadership skills and opportunities to women have been enhanced.

55
Participation in protest

Table 34
S.No Particulars Frequency Range
1 Participated 28 55
Will be Participating In the
2 future 7 14
No such idea of
3 Participation 16 31
Total 51 100

Table 34 refers to the members participation in protest after joining in SHG where 55 per
cent have already participated, 31 per cent have no such idea of participation, 14 per cent
will be Participating In the future. This shows SHG women also play a leading role in
raising their voice for their own rights.

56
Petition given to local body through SHG

Table 35
S.No Particulars Frequency Range
1 Given 28 55
2 Not Given 15 29
3 Going To Give 8 16
Total 51 100

Table 35 refers to the petition given to local body through SHG where 55 per cent have
given the petition already, 29 per cent have not given and 16 per cent are going to give the
petition. This shows SHG members have a greater influence in the local body.

57
SHG Financial help in Covid19

Table 36
S.No Particulars Frequency Range
1 To large Extent 19 37
2 To some Extent 18 35
3 Occasionally 8 16
4 Not at all 6 12
Total 51 100

Table 36 refers to how SHG helped Financially at the times of Covid19 where 37 per cent
agree to large extent, 35 per cent agree to some extent, 16 per cent said SHG helped
occasionally and 12 per cent said no help from SHG. This shows SHG played a greater
role in helping the members financially during COVID-19 times.

58
Provision of Relief materials Through SHG in Covid times

Table 37
S.No Particulars Frequency Range
1 To large Extent 6 12
2 To some Extent 23 45
4 Not at all 22 43
Total 51 100

Table 37 refers to the Provision of Relief materials through SHG in COVID-19 times where
45 per cent agree to large extent, 43 per cent said not at all, and 12 per cent agree to large
extent. This shows the members have not showed much interest in providing relief
materials through SHG during this pandemic.

59
Giving Awareness through SHG In Covid times

Table 38
S.No Particulars Frequency Range
1 To large Extent 49 96
2 To some Extent 1 2
4 Not at all 1 2
Total 51 100

Table 38 refers to the Awareness through SHG in Covid times where 96 per cent have
agreed to large extent, 2 per cent have agreed to some extent and 2 per cent have said Not
at all. This shows SHG members have given awareness through SHG in Covid times.

60
Serious Problem Faced During Covid19

Table 39
S.No Particulars Frequency Range
1 Financial 49 96
2 Psychological 1 2
4 Physical 1 2
Total 51 100

Table 39 refers to the serious problem faced during Covid19 where 96 per cent have agreed
to Financial problem, 2 per cent have agreed to psychological problem and 2 per cent have
agreed to physical problem. This shows that financial problem was more during COVID-
19 times.

61
Difficulty To run SHG Actively after Covid19
Table 40
S.No Particulars Frequency Range
1 To large Extent 8 16
2 To some Extent 31 61
4 Not at all 12 23
Total 51 100

Table 40 refers to the the difficulty to run SHG actively after Covid19 where 61 per cent
have agreed to some extent, 23 per cent have said not at all and 16 per cent to large extent.
This shows the SHG members finds difficult to run SHG effectively in COVID times.

62
Members Health Affected During Covid19

Table 41
S.No Particulars Frequency Range
1 To large Extent 13 25
2 To some Extent 3 6
4 Not at all 35 69
Total 51 100

Table 41 refers to the members health affected during Covid19 where 69 per cent said not
affected, 25 per cent agreed to large extent and 6 per cent to some extent. This shows the
rural women of SHG have not been affected so much because of COVID-19.

63
Ideal Goal to achieve as an SHG

Table 42
S.No Particulars Frequency Range
1 To large Extent 6 12
2 To some Extent 17 33
4 Not at all 28 55
Total 51 100

Table 42 refers to the SHG idea to achieve Goal where 55 per cent said no idea about goal,
33 per cent to some extent and 12 per cent agree to large extent. This shows the SHG
members are only concerned in savings and income but not about future Goal.

64
Members Opinion on Taking up SHG concept to Next Generation
Table 43
S.No Particulars Frequency Range
1 To large Extent 33 65
2 To some Extent 17 33
4 Not at all 1 2
Total 51 100

Table 43 refers to the Members Opinion on Taking up SHG concept to Next Generation
where 65 percent to large extent, 33 percent to some extent and 2 percent said not at all.
This shows the SHG members are interested to take the SHG concept to the next
generation.

65
CHAPTER 5

MAIN FINDINGS

66
CHAPTER 5

MAIN FINDINGS

INTRODUCTION:

The findings section presents the important data that was collected during the research
process. The principal outcomes of a research project; what the project suggested,
revealed or indicated. This usually refers to the totality of outcomes, rather than
the conclusions or recommendations drawn from them.

The social and economic condition of women joining in SHG

The socio-economic background shows that overall education of the respondents


is quite low which is 59 per cent and most of them studies below 10th standard. The findings
show that almost all the respondents were married and fall between the age of 26 to 55.
The findings show that most of the respondents are living in nuclear family.

Through the research it was found that the 47 per cent of the members have acquired more
of social benefits than other benefits. 47 per cent of the women have agreed that in SHG
no women are not left out in the group where all the women from the same area come
together which provides a psychological benefit of having people around. Through SHG
the women have greater impact in networking skills, where the women have started to
develop relationship and networking with various People such as NGO’s, Banking sector,
Local government body and so on.

Through SHG, 75 per cent of the women have agreed that SHG have increased their
standard of living. The research shows that 98 per cent of the women agreed that SHG
concept enhanced the overall Social status of the women in their own family and
surroundings where the women now got greater opportunity to raise their voice in all the
decisions of the family.

67
It was found that 44 per cent of the rural women are not so much interested in starting up
a new business through SHG but rather they are much involved in savings.

Through the research it was found that 69 per cent of the members have increased their
savings amount after joining in SHG and also 57 per cent of the SHG members have
increased their annual income through SHG.

The findings show that 50 per cent of the women agreed that financial control inside the
family have been seeing a greater change where husband and wife together take up a
decision. Bank place an important place for the rural women to save their money and get
loans. It was to be noted that the banking system have greatly reached the rural women
through the SHG concept where 53 per cent of the rural women are not aware about
banking system before joining in SHG. The findings show that 94 per cent of the members
have enhanced in their control over properties and assets.

Reason for joining in SHG and the purpose of loans being used

The SHG serves various purpose for the rural women and it was found that 74 per cent of
them preferred to join SHG to get monetary benefits where the women acquire immediate
financial help and they were able to save a certain amount for their children education,
marriage and so on.

57 per cent of the women have joined SHG by observing the benefits acquired by already
existing group. The family members have understood the purpose of SHG and thus
extended their full support to the rural women to get participated in all the activities of
SHG.

The 55 per cent of the SHG members are satisfied with the loans provided but 57 per cent
have agreed that SHG members do not get any government schemes specially designed for
them and 50 per cent of the Respondents have joined to have own savings.

The concept of money lenders is a crucial one which have destroyed many families
because of indebtedness. The major motto behind mahalir thitam which revived SHG in

68
tamilnadu was the total eradication of money lenders. The 57 per cent of the members have
agreed that though SHG is active in the community the money lenders are still coming to
the area and 50 per cent of the have agreed that SHG members have stopped borrowing
money from money lenders to a greater extent.

The 39 per cent of the SHG members have agreed that access from money lenders is not
easier and beneficial. This is because the SHG members are now well experienced the
benefit of SHG. Therefore, the members don’t want to became a prey to the money lenders
again. The influence of money lenders after joining in SHG where 85 per cent of the
respondents have said it was reduced

Challenges faced by women

37 per cent of the women agreed that they have been greatly helped financially by the
SHG and 96 per cent of the women said that that financial problem was more during
COVID-19 times. 61 per cent of the SHG members said that they found difficult to run
SHG effectively in COVID times therefore the members have not showed much interest in
providing relief mate rials through SHG during this pandemic.

In general, the biggest challenge is the Future of SHG where the SHG members are only
concerned in savings and income but not about future Goal.

Though 67 per cent of the the SHG members are very much interested to take the SHG
concept to the next generation but they are not aware about how to do it. Many members
have recorded their grievance that Government policies are not designed especially for
SHG women which creates a little lagging behind in SHG concept. The rural women are
not so much aware about setting up new business as a group through SHG. This is also a
biggest challenge which need to be addressed.

69
SHG contribution in political empowerment of women:

The findings show that 98 per cent of the women have increased their
freedom to exercise their voting rights along with enhancement of leadership skills agreed
by 96 per cent.

The SHG members have a greater influence in the local body where the SHG members
show greater interest in solving their community problems through collective action. The
members of the local body approach women during elections to extent their support. This
clearly shows SHG members are politically empowered both in contesting in elections and
also in deciding the winning authority.

70
CHAPTER 6

SUGGESTIONS AND CONCLUSIONS

71
CHAPTER 6

SUGGESTIONS AND CONCLUSIONS

1. In order to popularize the SHG concept many schemes were implemented such as
providing grants, free goats for SHG whose members belongs completely to SC
category. But nowadays these are not implemented and there is no additional benefit
for SHG members from the government. Therefore, the government can implement
further special schemes designed for SHG members alone.
2. Occupational training can be arranged for SHG members freely which encourages
employment prospects and the income heightening.
3. Sometimes a small disturbance arises in their earning pattern owing to natural
calamities, health problems and sudden demise of a bread winner and so on can turn
them destitute. So, a microfinance programme in-built with insurance is quite
essential to procure the poor across the poverty line. Despite the availability of
insurance facilities, the current microfinance programme focuses only on regular
savings and micro-credit, and the insurance, an integral part of the microfinance
programme, remains still neglected.
4. Under the microfinance programme, in addition to the financial assistance,
education could also be provided to the women members. Along with the various
other benefits, the education will certainly improve the level of empowerment of the
program members.
5. The government can encourage small scale or medium scale business for the SHG
women which will create a social assistance for a long run.
6. Increased awareness among women towards their rights along with political
awareness can be introduced.

72
CONCLUSION:

The research attempt to study the socio-economic improvement of women through SHG
where it was found that it is a multi-dimensional progressive process. It is found that the
microfinance programme increases the economic prospects of the members which help
them to have an access and control over the household economic resources and made them
as a decision maker. The role of women is changed altogether; they become financially
independent and are involved in every financial decision of their families. The
Microfinance programme raises the status of women from a mere consumer to producer
and from economically dependent to an independent.

The SHG gives more participation in education which is positive way forward.
Multitasking of SHGs are powerful tools. They may be even more excellent instruments
for development if they are powered by good skills of development to address changing
objectives.

The important feature of SHG is collective action where women in the group acts
collectively towards their interests. The SHG in order to go on a long run they need to focus
on future goal. The women are not coming up to formulate a vision for the future through
SHG. The women are concentrating only with the savings and credit. This alone cannot be
a best example for the future generation. Therefore, the SHG women should focus on how
to take the SHG to the next level.

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APPENDIX

INTERVIEW SCHEDULE

A STUDY ON IMPROVEMENT OF THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF


WOMEN THROUGH SELF HELP GROUPS IN DENKANIKOTTAI

DEMOGRAPHIC DETAILS:

General Profile

1. Respondent’s Name:

2. Respondent’s Role:

3. Name of SHG:

4. Location:

Socio-Economic Background

101. What is your age group?

102. Education qualification?

1. 10th and below 2. 10+2/Higher Secondary

3. Graduate 4. Post Graduation & above

103. What is your marital status?

1. Married 2 Unmarried

104. From which type of family do you belong?

1. Joint 2. Nuclear

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105. Occupation:

106. What is your monthly income?

To study the activities of SHG

201. When did you join the Self-help Group?

202. Do you attend the SHG meeting in frequently?

1. very regularly 2. Not regularly

3. irregularly 4. Somewhat regularly

203. What Skills were improved after joining the Self-Help Group?

1. Communication skill 3. Management Skill

2. Entrepreneur skills 4. All the above

204. Why did you Join the SHG?

1. For Income

2. For Recognition in the society

3. To get loans

4. To settle debts

5. Interest towards SHG Activities

6. To buy new Products

205.How did you Join the SHG?

1. Through NGO Activities

2. Through already existing SHG Group

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3. out of interest through SHG Activities

206. What interested you most in joining in SHG?

1. Activities of SHG (Awareness, leadership.,)

2. Financial Support through SHG

3. To have own savings

4. To get immediate financial help

207. Family extends full support to be a member in SHG

1. Strongly Agree 2. Agree 3. Disagree 4. Strongly Disagree

208. Are you satisfied with the loans Provided in the bank?

1. Highly Satisfied 2. Satisfied 3. Dissatisfied 4. Highly Dissatisfied

209.After being member of Self Help Group what types of benefits you received?

1) Social 2) Financial

3) Domestic 4) All of the above

210. SHG helps in easy access to Government funding?

1. To large extent 2. To some extent 3. Not at all

211. Psychological Benefit of Having People Around is more through SHG?

1. To large extent 2. To some extent 3. Not at all

212. SHG enhanced the standard of living?

1. To large extent 2. To some extent 3. Not at all

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Social Empowerment

301.Social status

1. Enhanced 2. Not enhanced

302.Relationship &Net working skills

1. Improved 2. Not improved

303.Problem solving skills

1. Increased 2. Not increased

304.Decision making skills & opportunities in families

1. Enhanced 2. Not enhanced

305.Decision making opportunities in communities

1. Enhanced 2. Not enhanced

306.Opportunities to involve in community development / social action

1. Increased 2. Not increased

ECONOMIC

401. Who control finance in your family?

1) Self 2) Husband

3) Husband & Wife 4) Elders in family

402. Are you doing any Small Business?

1. Started 2. Going To start 3. No idea to Start

403. The Annual Income increased after Joining In SHG?

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1. Strongly Agree 2. Agree 3. Disagree 4. Strongly Disagree

404. Savings of your own has been increased through SHG?

1. Strongly Agree 2. Agree 3. Disagree 4. Strongly Disagree

405.Are you aware about Banking System before Joining in SHG?

1. To large extent 2. To some extent 3. Not at all

406. How do you overcome conflicts arising in the group?

Write the answer:

407.Women access to savings and credit

1. Increased 2. Not increased

408.Access and control over properties and assets

1. Enhanced 2. Not enhanced

409.How did you get access to financial support before joining in SHG?

1. Money Lenders 2. Any other source, Specify

410. How much amount you get from money lenders?

411. How much interest do you pay to the money lenders?

412. How much amount you get from SHG?

413. How much interest do you pay to the SHG?

414. Are Money lenders still coming to the Area?

1. Strongly Agree 2. Agree 3. Disagree 4. Strongly Disagree

415. SHG members still borrowing money from Money lenders?

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1. Strongly Agree 2. Agree 3. Disagree 4. Strongly Disagree

416. Getting access to money lenders is easier and beneficial than through SHG?

1. Strongly Agree 2. Agree 3. Disagree 4. Strongly Disagree

417. The influence of money lenders have been

1. Reduced 2. Not reduced

Political Empowerment

501.Women’s freedom to exercise their vote as per their wish

1. Improved 2. Not improved 3. No change

502.Leadership skills & opportunities to women

1. Enhanced 2. Not enhanced 3. No change

503.Have you taken part in any protest representing your SHG?

1. Participated 2. will be participating in the future 3. No such idea of participation

504. Have you given any petition through SHG to the local body in order to fulfill your
village basic needs?

1. Given 2. Not Given 3. Going to give

COVID19

601. SHG helps you financially during COVID19

1. To large extent 2. To some extent

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3. Occasionally 4. Not at all

602. The SHG have provided relief materials to the needy ones.

1. To large extent 2. To some extent 3. Not at all

603. The SHG have provided awareness about Covid19.

1. To large extent 2. To some extent 3. Not at all

604. Which Problem was more during this covid19?

1. Financial 2. Psychological 3. Physical

605. SHG finds difficult to run actively after Covid19.

1. To large extent 2. To some extent 3. Not at all

606. The Health have been affected during Covid19.

1. To large extent 2. To some extent 3. Not at all

Future Development Of SHG

701.Do you have any goal to achieve together as an SHG?

1. To large extent 2. To some extent 3. Not at all

702. If there are any Specific Goal to be achieved in the future, Specify it

703. Do You Want to take this SHG Concept to the next Generation?

1. To large extent 2. To some extent 3. Not at all

704. Mention what you want to change in the SHG?

705. Tell your opinion on how to improve the SHG concept in the future.

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