Empowerment is a multi-fold concept. It is a process that includes economic social and political empowerment. The individual or a group gains power and ability to take control over his/her/their lives. It includes access to resources, thereby opportunities to participate in decision making, increased bargaining power, self confidence, self esteem, self respect. The role of Indian women has undergone dramatic and drastic changes from era to era. The various provision ins the Constitution show the commitment of the nation towards the socio-economic development of women. Among many plans and programmes entitled by the Government, the concept of Self- Help Group (SHG) is playing an important role in developing entrepreneurship and thereby empowering women of our country. A case study of one Mahila Dudh Utpadak Sangh is presented here in this context.
The Empowerment of Women in the national hierarchy is determined particularly by the three factors - their economic, social and political identity and their weightage. All three factors are interlinked and dependable on each other. Therefore the women will be truly empowered only if these factors are addressed simultaneously and made compatible with each other.
