ANNOUNCEMENTS
Self-help groups (SHGs), has been adopted as an important driver for ensuring women empowerment in the country. Utilization of increased savings in micro-enterprise is aimed to improve women’s Independence. But are these loans actually been used by women for increasing their economic capacity? Has there been any substantial change in women’s decision making power? This dissertation presents answer to these questions. By focusing on the impact of SHGs in Haryana, I have looked at the extent of SHG’s influence on women’s economic, social and political empowerment in the state. Haryana is a northern state in India known for the prevalence of orthodox practices which denies equal opportunities to women; defined domains for men and women have been the principal impediment for women to fully utilize the opportunities provided through the SHGs. The cultural norms have prevented women to move out of their households for employment opportunities. Combining my findings with National family Health survey, I have looked at how SHG has been instrumental in imbibing self-confidence through financial inclusion and the various challenges that women face at economic, social and political arena in Haryana.
Key Words: Women empowerment, Self-help groups, participation, cultural norms, patriarchy.
