Women empowerment through shgs in Tamil Nadu: A case study

Women empowerment is an important concept of Indian economy. This paper makes an attempt to discuss of the role of Self Help Groups (SHGs) in women empowerment, women entrepreneurship and economic development of Anandhavadi village of Ariyalur district, Tamil Nadu. Self Help Groups are usually in the form of informal groups with women members who have a common perception of need and importance towards collective action. The major aim of the SHGs is to promote savings and to credit for the productive and consumption purposes. This study has completely based on primary and secondary data. The primary data have been collected from two groups which consist of 15 members in each group. The primary data has collected with the help of specially prepared interview schedule. This paper has found that majority of the SHG members’ belong to agriculture sector and the SHGs member income has been increased after joining the SHGs. Hence women members of the groups are independent to meet their personal expenditure, and they contribute more to their household income. Finally, this study concludes that women are empowered through SHGs and also it has enhanced their freedom and the reduced the gender bias at least at the family level.