An Evaluation Study on Women Self-Help Groups of Punjab

Master's Thesis from the year 2012 in the subject Sociology - Gender Studies, , language: English, abstract: This study entitled ¿An evaluative Study on Women Self Help Groups of Punjab¿ was undertaken to study the profile and functioning of SHGs, know the opinion of officials/SHG members towards functioning of SHGs, asses the impact of SHGs on empowerment of women and identify the problems experienced by SHG members.

A sample of 150 members i.e. 75 from Ludhiana and 75 from Hoshiarpur were selected through random sampling technique. The data were collected with the help of interview schedule. The study revealed that majority of the SHGs were formed during the year 2008-09, had 16-20 members in their SHGs and were involved in 4-6 entrepreneurial activities. Majority of the SHGs adopted monthly pattern of meeting and found regular in their contribution towards saving.

The findings of the study also indicated that majority of the SHGs were charging interest on inter-loaning among members. Maximum numbers of SHGs were involved in food processing and beauty parlour, their major source of funding for running the enterprise was contributions made by the members. Findings further revealed that all the respondents indicated that SHGs had helped them to undertake income generating activities, set up micro-enterprise, improve availability of financial services and develop habit of saving. All officials agreed that SHGs helped them to undertake income generating activities to set up micro-enterprise with improved availability of financial services and have developed habit of savings. Majority of the respondents reported that there was improvement in economic resources of the family, women¿s own development, decision making regarding education, marriage of children and participation in social activities. Majority of the respondents achieved high level of empowerment through Self-Help Groups. The major problems experienced by members were lack of training opportunity and lack of guidance/ support from promoting agencies.