ROLE OF WOMEN SELF - HELP GROUPS (SHGs) IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT OF INDIA

Abstract

Microfinance is one of the most powerful tool contains provisions of savings, credit, insurances and mobilization of fund resources on economic activities among SHGs women. Finance is ensuring poverty alleviation mainly contribute promote the socio-economic empowerment of rural women SHGs in India. SHG–Bank Linkage Programme launched by NABARD way back in 1992 envisaging synthesis of formal financial system and informal sector has become a movement throughout the country. Self Help Groups (SHGs) have become the common vehicle of development process to converge all development programmes. It is considered as the largest microfinance programme in terms of outreach in the world.  The commercial banks provide certain help to encouraging and motivation of financial assistance to develop uneducated women creativity of employment opportunities among women SHGs. The present study depends on secondary data. In this study gives a clear picture about the role of women SHGs in rural development, analyze the progress of women SHGs and also identifies challenges faced by the women SHGs. It found that, women SHGs play a vital role in rural development as well as employment generation and eradicate rural poverty. It is necessary to address the challenges faced by the women SHGs and take strategic steps for effective functioning SHGs for improving their standard of living. Hence this leads to improve the financial access among women’s and access timely credit for their empowerment as well as strengthen socio-economically.