Women Empowerment in India

Women empowerment in India - A study on self help groups focuses on the Self Help Groups (DWCRA Groups), as sub-scheme of integrated Rural Development Scheme (IRDP), started in Andhra Pradesh in 1982-83 with UNICEF cooperation with the primary objective of focusing attention on the women members of rural families living below the poverty line with a view to generate self employment on a sustained basis. SHG is a viable alternative to achieving the objective of rural development and community participation in all rural development programmes. Thewomen-led SHGS have successfully demonstrated how to mobilise and manage thrift, appraise credit needs, maintain linkage with the blank and face financial self-discipline. In fact, SHGs are necessary to overcome exploitation, create confidence regarding economic self-reliance among the rural poor, particularly among women, who are mostly invisible in the social structure. These groups enable them to come together for a common objective and gain strength from each other to deal with exploitation, which they are facing, in several forms. The group becomes the basis for action and change.