Evaluate the impact of Self‑Help Groups (SHGs) on rural women’s empowerment. Discuss at least three channels through which SHGs influence empowerment, give an example, and mention any two limitations.
Answer
SHGs empower rural women by improving access to credit, enhancing decision‑making power, and fostering skill development; e.g., the Kudumbashree programme in Kerala, though limited by inadequate market linkages and dependence on external funding.
Step-by-step solution
- List the three main channels: (i) financial inclusion through pooled savings and micro‑credit, (ii) collective decision‑making that raises women’s voice in household and community matters, (iii) capacity building and skill training that increase livelihood options.
- Provide a concrete example such as the Kudumbashree SHG network in Kerala, highlighting its success in providing micro‑loans and entrepreneurship training.
- Identify two common limitations: (a) limited access to larger markets for products created by SHGs, and (b) reliance on government or NGO funding which may be irregular.
- Summarize the overall impact, balancing the noted benefits against the limitations.
Common mistake: Mentioning benefits without analysing constraints
Concept tested: Women empowerment via SHGs
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