Self-Help Groups and Women Empowerment

Among other benefits, self-help groups help the cause of women empowerment, as other microfinance tools do. The fact that most self-help groups are composed of women, in itself, is important because it shows women in developing countries are taking financial matters into their own hands and are attempting to improve their livelihoods via increased access to financial services.

There have also been instances where self-help groups have risen to the occasion and mediated disputes within communities and the groups themselves, while protecting the interests of women.

“While there have long been dispute resolution mechanisms in villages, in the past it was controlled by men. Now, there are instances of women, SHG members, being involved in resolving disputes. Whether or not the women are working for their own interests or in the case for justice varies.” APMAS paper.

Self-help groups are good development interventions also because they provide social support to group members, in that women gather during group meetings to discuss and resolve their financial and personal issues related to “health, hygiene, sanitation and cleanliness, environmental protection, education, etc.” (Read more)

Additionally, the amalgamation of SHG clients makes it easier for development agencies to implement various projects, such as:

• Capacity building of women in certain cottage industries (e.g. trainings about wood carving or garment manufacturing)
• Credit advancement to women in particular regions
• Awareness campaigns about medical or social issues faced by certain segments of the population.

These are just some of the ways self-help groups empower women, and hopefully the future will bring more opportunities for SHGs to maximise their social and economic power.