Impact of SHGs on the level of Participation of the Women in Decision-Making Process: A Comparative Analysis

Abstract

Self help groups is a mini voluntary agency for self help at the micro level has been focus on the weaker section particularly women for their social defend and the concept of SHGs serves the principle “by the women, of the women and for the women. SHGs play an important role to achieve women empowerment and decision making of women is a tool of converting the economic empowerment into social and political empowerment. So, the present study has compared the impact of SHGs on the level of participation of women in decision-making process in the context of economic activities. The study has been conducted in Sirsa district and the study is based mainly on primary data collected through well structured scheduled and pre tested survey. For the analysis the study, average and percentage method have been used. The present study revealed that involvement of women in the decision making related to durable and non-durable goods and decision-making related to saving and investment after joining the SHGs increased in Sirsa block but in Odha block, it remained same. Group members also reported that after joining the SHGs, no property was purchased or sold by the family members but if in future, properties are being purchased or sold women’s opinion will be taken.