ROLE OF SELF HELP GROUPS (SHGS) IN THE PURSUIT OF EMPOWERING RURAL WOMEN: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY FROM VILLAGE CHOWGACHA, GAIGHATA, NORTH 24 PARGANAS, WEST BENGAL
The present study attempts to analyze the role of self-help groups (SHGs) to empower the rural women under National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) with a case study. For this purpose, members of different SHGs as well the organizers have been interrogated with specific question schedules at the study area. It has been observed that after joining in SHG under the microcredit programme of NRLM, important changes have been brought in women’s life regarding of social mobility, awareness and skill development. But economic decision-making power in respect to the use of loan, use of income from loan, utilization and repayment of the loan is not pleasing at the household level
