Impact of Micro-Finance through SHGS on Empowerment of Women: A Case Study in Cooch Behar District of West Bengal

Abstract

The real problem faced by every developing country like India is poverty & unemployment. Development of a nation is very much dependent on the development of rural people. According to 2001 census 35% of the population is living below poverty line& 30% below poverty line in 2011 census. Among the poor population the most disadvantage & low status group are women. The rural women are low level of education, employment, health condition & status in India. Poverty is the main obstacle for the improvement of the women. To improve the living condition of rural women, the Government of India has been taken several welfare & developmental programmes where special emphasis has been given to women. Micro-finance through the Self-Help Group (SHGs) is one of the key instruments to reduce poverty &empowering rural women by giving credit sources in India. Self Help Group is the formation of voluntary women members & SHGs may be an effective method to develop the society. Micro-finance through SHGs would lead to benefits not only to the women, but also for the family & community as a whole. The participation of women in micro -finance through SHGs made a significant impact on their empowerment both in social & economical aspects. This research paper is an attempt to analyze the impact on micro-finance through SHGs on women empowerment in Cooch Behar district of West Bengal.