Self-Help Group Identifies the Abilities of Rural Women: A Study in Sivasagar District of Assam

Abstract

Our conservative rural society does not provide enough chances and social environment to the women to full use of their abilities. Therefore in the rural areas of India, women are unable to realise their potentials. But from the last three decades, numbers of countries including India have identified micro credit through Self-help Group model as a major implementation on women's ability to earn an income. The rising influence of feminist writings on women's deprivation and gender equality assist Government and many non government institutions to emphasis on targeting women in their microcredit programme through Self-help Group model. Now, Self-help Group of women has enormously helped them to take part in developing activities. Moreover, women in their group can put their ideas, experience and labour for improving their economic conditions. Their group effort has made better chances of success.

The aim of the study is to know women's empowerment through the analysis of their group management. Among the nine Development Blocks in Sivasagar district of Assam, Sonari Development Block has been selected through purposive sampling. The female participation in Self-help Group activities in this area is more than 80%. Out of 578 women Self-help Groups of Sonari Development Block, 145 Self-help Groups have been selected under some aspects. These aspects are:

1. 1.     On the basis of age of the group, five to ten years old or more than ten years old.
2. 2.     Homogeneity in nature. The Self-help Groups of only women members.

The women of the selected Self-help Groups are the unit of the study. One woman member from each selected Self-help Groups has been purposively selected for study. The total sample size of the study is 145. The respondents have been interviewed by using a pre structured interview schedule.

The findings of the study have shown that after getting membership of Self-help Group, women have become familiar with various group activities. Collectively they perform their group activities i.e. management of group funds, choose group leaders, arrangement of group meeting etc. Women of the selected Self-help Groups have been successfully doing their group activities.