Empowerment of Tribal Women through Access to Microcredit: An Evidence from Ri-Bhoi and East Hills Districts of Meghalaya

The role of self-help groups (SHGs) has been assessed in women empowerment by selecting 60 SHG-members from 10 SHGs in Ri-Bhoi and East Khasi Hills districts of Meghalyaa. For study, both primary and secondary data were collected from the SHGs and SHG-members during the period January-March 2012. The role of SHGs in women empowerment has been studied by following six dimensions: economic, socio-cultural, family, legal, political and psychological. To judge the overall women empowerment, a composite women empowerment index (CWEI) was constructed for SHGs as well as individual members. The study has revealed all the 10 SHGs and majority (73.3%) of the members were in high empowerment category. The study has concluded that association with SHGs has exerted a positive impact on the empowerment of women in Ri-Bhoi and East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya.