Are women self help group members economically more empowered in left-run municipalities?

Abstract

WWho controls the income earned by members of women's self help groups (SHG) from group activities—they or their husbands? The answer indicates one dimension of the level of economic empowerment attained by SHG members. This paper examines whether identity of the person controlling this income depends upon the political party ruling the municipality where the SHG is situated. Two parties are considered—the Left Front, a coalition comprising of Leftist parties, and the Indian National Congress. This paper is based on a field study of 240 SHG members in six municipalities in West Bengal, a major state in India