Indian Micro finance is dominated by two operational approaches viz. Self-help groups (SHGs) and Micro finance Institutions in addition to a few cooperative forms. The first approach is popularly known as Self Help Groups-Bank linkage model. This model is the dominant model, initiated by the National Agricultural Bank And Rural Development. Self Help Groups helps the women in uplifting their living conditions and also encompass the social, economic, educational level to improve their empowerment level. Micro finance is emerging as a powerful instrument for poverty eradication in developing countries.. In India too, micro finance are making headway in its effort for reducing poverty and empowering women.. The present study is an attempt to analyze how empowerment and employment of women through Self-Help Groups is achieved in the study area, the performance of Self-Help Groups in promoting women empowerment in Bheemunipatnam mandal of Visakhapatnam District. 25 Self-Help Groups with 200 members has been covered for the sake of the work. The main objective of the study is to study women empowerment through Self Help Groups. The overall findings of the study suggest that Self Help Groups program me have significantly improved the access to financial services for the poor and has considerable positive impact on the socio-economic conditions and the reduction of poverty of Self Help Groups members and their households. It has also empowered women substantially and contributed to increased self confidence and positive changes in the Self Help Groups period as compared to the pre Self Help Groups period. Majority of 89 percent of the respondents are satisfied with economically improved their family. Majority of 47 percent of the respondent's opinion regarding for enriching the saving for joining self help groups. The study reveals that the intervention of micro finance through self-Help Groups program has positive impact on women empowerment in Bheemunipatnam mandal, Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh.
Microfinance, Self-Help group, Empowerment, savings
