Editorial Board

A Refereed Monthly International Journal of Management

Socio- Economic Empowerment of Women through Self Help Groups: An Empirical Analysis.

Dr. Meenu Maheshwari Assistant Professor Former Head Assistant Prof Commerce Aggarwal College Ballbhgarh Contact No.- +919891015464 Email: drmeenumaheshwari@gmail.com

Mrs. Shobhna Goyal Research Scholar Department Of Commerce And Management University of Kota,Kota Email:shobhna2002@gmail.com

Demographic profile of sample respondents:

Table -1: Religion wise distribution of sample members

		Frequency	Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid	Hindu	231	76.0	76.0
	Muslim	71	23.4	99.4
	Meo	2	0.6	100.0
	Total	304	100.0

Source : Primary Data

It shows that majority of the sample members are hindus i.e. 76% and 23.4% are muslim and a mere .7% are meos. The results are quite surprising in a sense that despite of a Meos dominant region they are not indulged in saving-lending activities.

Table 2: Caste wise distribution of sample members

		Frequency	Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid	SC	39	12.8	12.8
	ST	27	8.9	21.7
	OBC	94	30.9	52.6
	BC	55	18.1	70.7
	GEN	61	20.1	90.8
	Meo	28	9.2	100
			.
	Total	304	100.0

Source: Primary Data

In the region almost all categories exist and woman belonging to any community can become a member. However majority of them belong to OBC category i.e.30.9%.

Table 3: Distribution of SHGs on the basis of tenure of SHGs

Tenure
		Frequency	Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid	<12 months	29	9.5	9.5
	12-24 mojths	53	17.4	27.0
	24-36 months	89	29.3	56.3
	> 36 months	133	43.8	100.0
	Total	304	100.0

Source: Primary Data

It was observed during survey that 43.8% groups are more than 3 years old and 29.3% are 2 to 3 years old. However new formation of groups is disappointing which indicates that to keep the scheme alive Government should encourage women to open SHGs.

Table-4: Distribution of SHGs on the basis of educational qualification of Leader

Educational Qualification of the leader
		Frequency	Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid	Illiterate	2	.7	.7
	Primary	123	40.5	41.1
	Middle	83	27.3	68.4
	H.Sc and above	96	31.6	100.0
	Total	304	100.0

Source: Primary Data

Most of the group leaders were observed to be literate but poorly i.e. 40.5% of them are literate upto primary level 31.6% are Higher secondary passed. Qualification of the group leader plays an important role in formation as well as in functioning of the group.

Table 5: Distribution of SHGs on the basis of size of the group

Size of the group
		Frequency	Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid	< 12 members	190	62.5	62.5
	12-15 members	110	36.2	98.7
	> 15 member	4	1.3	100.0
	Total	304	100.0

Source: Primary Data

Majority of the SHG s were having 10 to 11 members that means a moderate size is supposed to be the best practice in the sample area. Only 1.3% of the total sample were found to be having more than 15 members. The result are different as compared to the prescribed limit of membership is 10-20 member by NABARD.

It was also found that 16.8% of total groups have a sole purpose of SHG formation as to increase their income which is supposed to be the most justifiable purpose of this scheme. Secondly 16.4% groups have been formed to start entrepreneurial activity in the form of shops and dairy mainly. Both purposes are complementing each other i.e. increasing income by setting up some enterprise. Formation of groups to promote savings took third place i.e. 11.3% and to uplift the social status of the members is also a purpose to form SHGs. The results are satisfactory in a sense that these have been designated as the primary objectives to initiate this scheme.

Table6: Distribution of SHGs on the basis of group meetings held

Frequency of SHG Meetings
		Frequency	Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid	Once in a week	122	40.1	40.1
	once in a month	181	59.5	99.7
	twice in a month	1	.3	100.0
	Total	304	100.0

Source: Primary Data

As per the guidelines group leader has to organise group meetings to discuss various issues and collection of mandatory monthly savings and disbursement of credit at least once a month. 59. 5 % groups are following the norms of holding the meeting once a month and 40% groups are even holding meetings once in a week which is quite interesting to know as more and more meetings give women a confidence to speak and share her problems with other members which they were unable to before becoming members of SHG i.e. SHG ( women collectives) give them a voice. Increased self confidence and communication are strong indicators of social upliftment.

Table 7: Distribution of SHGs on the basis of regularity of meetings

Regularity of meetings in last 6 months
		Frequency	Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid	100% meeting held	202	66.4	66.4
	75-99% meetings held	102	33.6	100.0
	Total	304	100.0

Source: Primary Data

SHGs were found to be regular in holding meeting at least once in a month. 66.4% groups held 100% meetings and 33.6% of the groups were also found to hold more than 75% of the mandatory meetings. Regularity in meetings is a most desirable feature of a Self Help Group to have a congenial group working and cohesion.

Table 8: Distribution of SHGs on the basis of attendance at meetings

Attendance at meeting
		Frequency	Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid	>90 %	270	88.8	88.8
	75-89%	34	11.2	100.0
	Total	304	100.0

Source: Primary Data

The results are encouraging. Majority of the groups record more than 90% attendance which shows that women want to get together to discuss problems of their own and of others and possibly came out with solutions. 88.8% of the sample groups have recorded more than 90% attendance and minimum attendance recorded is also not disappointing it is still not less than 75%.

Table 9: Distribution of SHGs on the basis of member participation in decision making

Participation of members in decision making
		Frequency	Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid	>75% members participate	162	53.3	53.3
	55-75% member participate	142	46.7	100.0
	Total	304	100.0

Source: Primary Data

It is evident from the above table that SHGs have a positive social impact on women as most of them started participating in decision making which was earlier supposed to be male domain. SHGs have helped in women emancipation. In 53.3% cases more than 75% of the group members participate in decision making when it comes to credit disbursements, getting together for a social cause, or solving some individual problem with the group efforts.

Table 10: Distribution of SHGs on the basis of training program conducted

Whether any training program conducted for SHG
		Frequency	Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid	Yes	5	1.6	1.3
	No	299	98.4	100.0
	Total	304	100

Source: Primary Data

The response is disheartening as Government has not spent much on training programmes in this area although it was found during survey that women are keenly interested in taking up some work but the two main issues what to make and where to market? 98.4% of the respondents said the no training was ever given to them whereas a mere 1.6% said they attended 1-2 days training about formation of SHGs and account opening and keeping minutes of meetings which again was not to undertake any entrepreneurial activity.

Table 11: Distribution of SHGs on the basis of regularity of savings

Regularity in Savings
		Frequency	Percent	Cumulative Percent
	0	1	.3	.3
	100%	303	99.7	100.0
	Total	304	100

Source: Primary Data

Members were found to be very regular about their savings with the group. 99.7% of the respondents were found regular in depositing their monthly savings on the meeting day. This has resulted in a big group corpus with the banks and some groups even need not to take any loan from the bank. Most of the groups were found to be in no loan category in the sample area.

Table 12: Distribution of SHGs on the basis of set of rules and regulations

Do the group has a set of Rules and Regulations
		Frequency	Percent	Cumulative Percent
	0	42	13.8	13.8
	Yes	262	86.2	100.0
	Total	304	100.0

Source: Primary Data

86.2% of the respondents replied that they had group norms in the form of rules and regulations which comprise of attending group meetings at least once in a month, repayment of the credit allocated to avoid heavy rate of interest and priority based lending out of group corpus.

Table 13: Distribution of SHGs on the basis of existence of rules

Rules are in existence only
		Frequency	Percent	Cumulative Percent
	Yes	2	.7	.7
	No	302	99.3	100.0
	Total	304	100.0

Source: Primary Data

Majority of the respondents said that rules are not just existent but are followed as well. Each and every member follows the group rules and regulations not by force but by their choice. They know it is an effort of the members, for the members and by the members.

Table 14: Distribution of SHGs on the basis of implementation of rules

Rules have been implemented as well
		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
	Yes	304	100.0	100.0	100.0

Source: Primary Data

It is evident from the above table that rules are not just framed they are implemented as well for the smooth functioning of the group. The results are 100%.

Table 15: Distribution of SHGs on the basis of election of office beares

Do you conduct periodic elections for the office
		Frequency	Percent	Cumulative Percent
	Election conducted once a year	151	49.7	49.7
	Once in two years	9	3.0	52.6
	Beyond two year	88	28.9	81.6
	Never held	56	18.4	100.0
	Total	304	100.0

Source: Primary Data

49.7% of the groups hold election once in a year to elect office beares namely the group leader and treasurer. 28.9% groups do not change their leaders every year and 18.4% of the groups never held elections rather their office bearers are unanimously chosen.

Table 16: Distribution of SHGs on the basis of books of accounts maintained

Are the books of accounts and documents maintained
		Frequency	Percent	Cumulative Percent
	Cash book	1	.3	.3
	Cash book and Ledger	128	42.1	42.4
	cash Book and Member Passbook	175	57.6	100.0
	Total	304	100.0

Source: Primary Data

57.6% of the groups maintain journal and bank pass book for recording savings , disbursements and interest. 42.1% maintains journal and cash book. Overall each and every group maintains at least two books of records which is a healthy practice.

Table 17: Distribution of SHGs on the basis of status of recording in these books

Mention the status of recording in these book
		Frequency	Percent	Cumulative Percent
	Up to date and correct recording	277	91.1	91.1
	Up to date but incorrect recording	27	8.9	100.0
	Total	304	100.0

Source: Primary Data

It was found that 91.1% groups have up to date and correct recording in the books maintained by the group. This correlates the fact that at least some of the group members are literate enough to enter the transactions correctly and preparing the minutes of the meetings. It was also explored that even if no member is capable of recording then any educated child of any member of the group can be asked for doing this work which shows the group is specific about recording and updating the transactions.

Conclusion and Recommendations

The research on Microfinance and women empowerment depicts that SHG based micro finance has contributed as a catalyst of the social change and empowerment of poor is proved to be a boon for the rural women in some states of India. Moreover it has created opportunities for promotion of income generating activities and have enabled them to come above poverty line. There is a geographic/Regional concentration of the SHG concept which needs to be scattered across the nation as poverty has a global concern. Poor people’s access to formal banking system would act as a key to economic growth and sustainable development. It is evident that SHGs have touched the lives of rural women in all respects whether it is social, economic or personal thereby contributing effectively in women emancipation. SHGs are seen to confer many social and economic benefits which can be community platforms for women to become active in village affairs, stand for local election or take action to address social and community issues like – abuse of women, alcohol, the dowry system, the schools and water supply (Umakanata; Padhi, Pragnya Laxmi (2011) of late the women have started recognising their immense potential and have learnt that self dependence is the best form dependence. Joining a Self Help Group has given them enough confidence to speak, to come forward to be a part in family decision making which is supposedly a male domain, assessing the banks for loans and discussing with the managers without taking their husbands along (in the sample district women were seen discussing gold loan provisions with the Bank manager and that too without their husbands accompanying them) which is indeed an indicator of upgradation of self confidence which can be attributed to Self Help Groups. Aloysisus P. Fernandez (2007) (MYRADA) observed that SHGs are not only an instrument for the empowerment of poor and marginalized sectors but they have proved to be an effective instrument for changing oppressive relationships in the home and in the society. As far as the performance of SHGs is concerned the results are very much encouraging in almost all respects except the training part which needs government’s attention as out of total expenditure from the allocated fund nothing has been spent on marketing and very less on imparting training. In Haryana out of 8308 swarozgaris 6150 i.e. 74.02% are engaged in primary sector and only 25.98% are engaged in secondary sector like village industry, handicrafts, Handloom etc. There is a need to make SHG movement more entrepreneurial. SHG members can be roped in as a member of distribution channel by the corporate in order to have deep penetration in the rural market in a cost effective manner without inventory piling up. This would be a two way strategy of empowering rural women and having a better outreach. Some of the insurance companies are also now targeting Self Help Groups to sell their insurance products in rural markets. So in near future association with the Self Help Groups will help rural women to (2007) (MYRADA) observed that SHGs are not only an instrument for the empowerment of poor and marginalized sectors but they have proved to be an effective instrument for changing oppressive relationships in the home and in the society. As far as the performance of SHGs is concerned the results are very much encouraging in almost all respects except the training part which needs government’s attention as out of total expenditure from the allocated fund nothing has been spent on marketing and very less on imparting training. In Haryana out of 8308 swarozgaris 6150 i.e. 74.02% are engaged in primary sector and only 25.98% are engaged in secondary sector like village industry, handicrafts, Handloom etc. There is a need to make SHG movement more entrepreneurial. SHG members can be roped in as a member of distribution channel by the corporate in order to have deep penetration in the rural market in a cost effective manner without inventory piling up. This would be a two way strategy of empowering rural women and having a better outreach. Some of the insurance companies are also now targeting Self Help Groups to sell their insurance products in rural markets. So in near future association with the Self Help Groups will help rural women to have avenues for larger incomes apart from the saving lending mechanism which will benefit their families and society as a whole in terms of better and respectable living.

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