ROLE OF SELF HELP GROUPS IN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF WOMEN – SPECIAL REFERENCE TO KOZHIKODE DISTRICT
Women are considered inferior in society and they are not permitted to participate in social activities. The women in society face a lot of difficulties because of the existence of patriarchal society, family care roles, deep-rooted cultural norms, etc. Hence, to overcome these difficulties The Self-Help-Group Program is a way to bring women together to be involved in saving schemes and prompted to create internal resources to meet emergencies or business needs, thus helping to do away with money lenders and also promoting entrepreneurial activities. The SHGs activity also focuses on the economic empowerment of women in the society. This has provided the motivation for the researcher to make an in-depth study on the various aspects of the economic empowerment enjoyed by women. Hence, the present study is undertaken in SHGs in Kozhikode district, Kerala. Ten women entrepreneurs were selected from the twelve Taluks of Kozhikode district, for a total of 120 respondents. The results show that employment, savings, the beginning of income generation activities, effective use of resources and the elimination of poverty are important economic activities of the SHGs.
Economic Development, Self-Employed, Empowerment