SELF-HELP GROUPS FOR POVERTY ALLEVIATION:
A CASE STUDY OF KRISHNAGIRI DISTRICT.
M.S.PREMAPRIYA AND L.MANIVANNAN
Assistant Professor,School of management studies,Anna University: Chennai.
Reader,
Department of Corporate Secretaryship,Erode Arts College,Erode.
Abstract:
Poverty is almost a societal unhappiness, polluted in an every socio-economic
zone, range itself among all over the underprivileged section of the population steadily.
The concerned paper basically assessing the role of Self-help group approach in
eradication of poverty, its successiveness in generating income and the impact of micro
credit on the empowerment of the women members of the self-help groups. The study is
primarily based on the field survey, conducted in the Krishnagiri District This study
takes into explanation the members of the self-help groups for healthier understanding
the practice through which they build up their income generating foundations. To
number out the impact self-help groups in these instructions a simple chi-square tests as
well as the t-test have been used to remedy the fluctuations that have been took place due
to addition of group approach in the field of rural growth. The results show that self-help
groups promote awareness among the women members and provide necessary chances
to struggle with poverty. Further the self-help groups have come out as a substantial
factor in generation of income and occupations of the members which also necessitate
conditions like better distribution of the micro credit to the members and these effects
should be taken care of for getting more active victory in this area.
Self-help groups, poverty alleviation, income generation.
INTRODUCTION
The Indian economy has been witnessing a drastic change since Mid – 1991, with new policies of
economic liberalization, globalization and privatization initiated by the Indian government. It is only from
the fifth five year plan (1974 – 1978) onwards that their role has been explicitly recognized with a market
shift in the approach from women welfare to women development and empowerment. In the words of
former president APJ Abdul Kalam “empowering women is a pre requisite for creating a good nation; when
women are empowered, society with stability is assured. Empowerment of women is essential as their
thoughts and their value systems lead to the development of a good family, good society and ultimately a
good nation”. Empowerment is a process of awareness and capacity building leading to greater
participation, to greater decision making power and control and transformative action. Empowerment of
women signifies harnessing women power by conscientising their tremendous potential and encouraging
them to work towards attaining a dignified and satisfying way of life through confidence and competence as
person with self – respect, rights and responsibilities. Empowerment as a concept was introduced at the
International women's conference at Nairobi in 1985. The conference defined empowerment as “A redistribution of social power and control of resources in favor of women. Empowerment is a multi –
faceted process which encompasses many aspects i.e enhancing awareness, increasing access to resources
of economic, social and political etc.” In recent years women empowerment has become a subject of great
concern for the nations all over the world especially in poor and developing countries. The impact of
globalization is seen eventually on position of women in some form or other in most of the developing
countries with the variation of degree.
Area of the Study, Data Base, Sample Design and Analytical Tool of the Study
The present study is conducted on the role of SHG for poverty alleviation. The area of study is
confined to the Krishnagiri. Both primary and secondary data were used for the study. The primary data are
collected with the use of a set of structured schedule which were basically administered to the members of
SHGs in selection basis. The secondary data will be collected from various reports of the government,
NGOs, NABARD, DRDA, documents of Self-help groups and other records of the banks. The data
included information on fund size, group size, and volume of savings, occupational status and functions of
the groups. The sample for fulfilling the research work was collected through two stages stratified random
sampling technique. The total 615 sample SHGs were selected from the Krishnagiri District. In order to
elicit relevant information from both primary and secondary data and to achieve above stated objectives,
the present study used descriptive statistical tool like averages, percentages, chi-square (2) test and t-test to
draw policy relevant conclusions.
REVIEWOFLITERATURE
Dhamija et al (1981)1 in his articles entitled “Links with traditional markets should be preserved
while new markets are sought. Existing institutions which could help in the development of technical
training, marketing, and credit should be utilized. A well motivated and competent technical staff and
proper management are important elements of a successful project. Caution is necessary in developing
handicrafts, because of the danger of exploitation and increase in the burdens already borne by women.
Chen (1983)3 in his articles entitled “Most women who live in the slums of Madras work as smallscale traders and vendors, their earnings often providing over half the family income. Interviews with these
women revealed that their primary concern was increasing their earning capacity.
Mazumdar (1984)4 in his articles entitled “Various working groups have identified strategies to
reverse the economic marginalization of women, but acceptance of their recommendations has been halting
and ambivalent. The response from implementing agencies has been extremely slow and unimaginative.
The government faces problems of slowing economic growth, inflation, and rising poverty, and has not yet
given priority to the issues of women's employment and development.
Jaswal (1991)11 in his articles entitled “The census indicated that India's population was about
850 million in 1991. This spiraling growth has resulted in a deteriorating standard of living, especially for
women and children in the rural population. Minorities such as tribal women and low caste women also
suffer disproportionately because of a lack of sage drinking water and fuel for the hearth. SakuntalaNarasimhan (1999)41 in his articles entitled “Strategies for empowering women must
focus beyond economic restructuring to improve the social relations which constrain and restrain women.
The study stresses social assurance and motivation is the most important direction, especially for rural SC
and ST women, to fight out for their cause and awareness in empowerment. Women need to be aware of
what they can do legally, positively and constructively to overcome their oppression.
KalpanaSinha (2000)42 in his articles entitled “brought the experiences from Banglasesh, Sri
Lanka, India, Canada and Australia together on women empowerment, women in leadership, and women
entrepreneurship. All the contributors underlined the need for women empowerment through self
employment, improving the role of women in the socio-economic development, reduction in gender bias in
organisation leadership, gender approach to harness the women resources, empowering of rural women
through IGAs, etc. All studies stressed the need for empowerment of women through economic
development and equally dwelt upon the social development aspect also for the sustainability of the
programmes.
Sankaran (2009)75 in his articles entitled “made an attempt to analyze the trends and problems of
rural women entrepreneurs in India. The study highlighted the conceptual aspects of trends and problems of
rural women entrepreneurs in India. It concluded that women have creative ability, easy adaptability and
ability to cope with setbacks
DATAANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATIONS
Women are suppressed for a long period in India. They were not permitted to go out from their
house for the purpose of education and employment. Only in the last 50 years back there was a revolution
occurred and women are permitted to go for education and employment. This opportunity was utilised only
a small percentage of women population and majority of women are still suffering without proper
education and freedom. At this juncture, many politicians and leaders of our nations fought against the
crimes met by women in India, particularly in TamilnaduDr.Muthulakshmi Reddy made a big revolution
for the empowerment of women in all theendeavor.
AGE OF THE RESPONDENTS AND LEVEL OF SATISFACTION ON WOMEN EMPOWER
MENT
Age is an important factor to analyse the empowerment of women. It is believed that today's youth
are more dynamic and task oriented girls compared to old aged women. They are very shrewd and very clear
in decision making. For the purpose of this study, age of the respondents has been classified in to three strata
viz., young (less than 30 years), middle ( 31-45 years), and old aged (above 45 years).The sample consists
161 (26.3%) respondents belonged to young category, 366(59.70%)respondents belonged to middle aged
group and 86(14.0%) respondents belonged to old category. The distribution of the sample respondents
according to the age and the level of satisfaction perceived towards women empowerment are shown in the
following table
It could be observed from the above table that the level of satisfaction perceived by the SHG
women ranged between 27 and 40 with an average of 32.81. The level of satisfaction towards
empowerment of SHG women of 30 to 45 years age group ranged between 27 and 39 with an average of
32.84 .The level of satisfaction perceived by the old age women SHG ranged between 27-40 with an
average of 32.72. From the analysis, it is inferred that middle age women have perceived more satisfaction
towards empowerment than the young and old age respondents.
With the view to find the degree of association between the age of the respondents and the level of
satisfaction perceived by women towards empowerment, a two- way table was prepared and is depicted in
the following table. The above table reveals that the percentage of high level of satisfaction perceived towards
empowerment of women SHG was the highest (59.53%) among the respondents of 30-45 age group and the
same was the lowest (13.48 % ) among the respondents of above 45 years age group. The percentage of
medium level of satisfaction on women empowerment through SHG was the highest (58.18% ) among the
respondents having 30-45 years age group and the same was the lowest (14.45% ) among the respondents of
above 45 years age group. On the other hand, the percentage of low level of satisfaction perceived by
women SHG on empowerment was the highest (62.96%) among the respondents having 30-45 years age
group and the same was the lowest (14.08 %) among the respondents of above 45 years age group.
In order to find the relationship between age of the respondents and the level of satisfaction
towards SHG women empowerment, a chi-square test was employed and the result of the test is shown in
the following table.
Hypothesis (Ho): There is no significant relationship between the age of the respondents and the
level of satisfaction towards women empowerment.
Hypothesis (H1): There is a significant relationship between the age of the respondents and the level
of satisfaction towards women empowerment. It is divulged from the above table that the calculated chi-square value is less than the table value
and the results is not significant at 1% level and 5 % level. Hence, the null hypothesis (Ho) is accepted. The
hypothesis “age of the respondents and the level of satisfaction perceived by self help group women
empowerment'' are associated, does not hold good. From the analysis, it is concluded that there is no close
relationship between age of the respondents and the level of satisfaction perceived towards women
empowerment.
MARITAL STATUS OF THE RESPONDENTS AND LEVEL OF SATISFACTION ON WOMEN
EMPOWERMENT.
Marriage is an auspicious and unforgettable function in every human life. But in India, the married
women are suffering more due to poor life condition or continuous toucher by the in-laws or lack of support
by the husband. At this juncture, women self help group supports economically and solve the family
disputes very easily by the representatives (Animators) to the competent authorities. For the purpose of this study, marital status of the respondents has been studied under three category namely married, divorce and
widow. The sample consists 610 (99.5%) respondents belonged to married category, 1(0.2%) respondents
belonged to divorce category and 2(0.3%) respondents belonged to widows. The distribution of sample
respondents according to marital status and the level of satisfaction perceived towards women
empowerment of self help group are shown in the following table. It is learned from the above table that the level of satisfaction towards women empowerment
among the married category of women ranged between 27 and 40 with an average of 32.82 .The level of
satisfaction perceived by the divorce towards women empowerment ranged between 33 and 33 with an
average of 33.00.On the other hand, the level of satisfaction perceived by the women Self help group among
widow category ranged between 29 and 33 with an average of 31.00. From the analysis, it is inferred that
married respondents have perceived more satisfaction towards empowerment than divorce and widow.
With the view to find the degree of association between the marital status of the respondents and
the level of satisfaction perceived towards women empowerment of self helpgroup , a two- way table was
prepared and it depicted in the following table It is highlighted from the above table that the percentage of high level of satisfaction perceived
towards empowerment of women SHG was the highest (100%) among the married women. The percentage
of medium level of satisfaction towards women empowerment was the highest (99.24%) among the
married category of women and the same was the lowest (0.38%) among the respondents of both divorce
and widow. On the other hand, the percentage of low level of satisfaction perceived towards women
empowerment was the highest (99.25%) among the married category of women and the same was the
lowest (0.75%) among widow category of respondents.
In order to find the relationship between marital status of the respondents and the level of satisfaction perceived by the respondents towards women empowerment, a chi-square test was employed
and the result of the test is shown in the following table.
Hypothesis (Ho): There is no significant relationship between the marital status of the respondents
and the level of satisfaction perceived towards women empowerment.
Hypothesis (H1): There is a significant relationship between the marital status of the respondents
and the level of satisfaction perceived towards women empowerment. It is noted from the above table that the calculated chi-square value is less than the table value and
the results is not significant at 1% level and 5 % level. Hence, the null hypothesis (Ho) is accepted. The
hypothesis “marital status of the respondents and the level of satisfaction towards women empowerment of
self-help group '' are associated, does not hold good. From the analysis, it is concluded that there is no close
relationship between marital status of the respondents and the level of satisfaction perceived towards
women empowerment.
TABLE No: 3.1
NATIVITY OF THE RESPONDENTS AND LEVEL OF SATISFACTION TOWARDS
EMPOWERMENTOF SHG
Nativity is an important factor to inculcate certain unique culture of Indian society. In this study,
the nativity of the respondents has been studied under two category namely rural back ground and hailed
from town environment. The sample consists 447 (72.9%) respondents belonged to rural base and 166
(27.7%) respondents belonged to town based.
The distribution of the sample respondents according to the Nativity of the Respondents and the
level of satisfaction perceived towards women empowerment are shown in the following table. It could be observed from the above table that the level of satisfaction perceived by the SHG
women ranged between 27 and 40 with an average of 32.80%. The level of satisfaction towards
empowerment of SHG women of 32 to 45 years age group ranged between 27 and 39 with an average of 32-
84 .The level of satisfaction perceived by the old age women SHG ranged between 27-40 with an average of
32-72. From the analysis, it is inferred that middle age women have perceived more satisfaction towards
empowerment than the young and old age respondents.
With the view to find the degree of association between the age of the respondents and the level of
satisfaction perceived by women towards empowerment, a two- way table was prepared and it depicted in
the following table.The above table reveals that the percentage of high level of satisfaction perceived towards
empowerment of women SHG was the highest (59.55%) among the respondents of 30-45 age group and the
same was the lowest (13.48 % ) among the respondents of above 45 years age group. The percentage of
medium level of satisfaction on women empowerment through SHG was the highest (58.18% ) among the
respondents having 30-45 years age group and the same was the lowest (14.45 ) among the respondents of
above 45 years age group. On the other hand, the percentage of low level of satisfaction perceived by
women SHG on empowerment was the highest (62.96%) among the respondents having 30-45 years age
group and the same was the lowest (14.08 %) among the respondents of above 45 years age group.
In order to find the relationship between age of the respondents and the level of satisfaction
towards SHG women empowerment, a chi-square test was employed and the result of the test is shown in
the following table.
Hypothesis (Ho): There is no significant relationship between the age of the respondents and the
level of satisfaction towards women empowerment.
Hypothesis (H1): There is a significant relationship between the age of the respondents and the level
of satisfaction towards women empowerment It is divulged from the above table that the calculated chi-square value is less than the table value
and the results is not significant at 1% level and 5 % level. Hence, the null hypothesis (Ho) is accepted. The
hypothesis “age of the respondents and the level of satisfaction perceived by self help group women
empowerment'' are associated, does not hold good. From the analysis, it is concluded that there is no close
relationship between age of the respondents and the level of satisfaction perceived towards women
empowerment.
RESPONDENTS' TYPE OF FAMILY AND LEVEL OF SATISFACTION ON WOMEN
EMPOWERMENT.
Family is a group of individuals leads their life towards a common objectives. In earlier days,
people lived in a homogeneous group and all the needs and wants happens and sorrows are shared within the
same group. But in the recent period the joint family system has spread into small nuclear families and
settled at various places both in rural and urban. In this study, the respondents type of family and joint family. The sample consists 461 (75.2%) respondents belonged to nuclear family and 152 (24.8%)
respondents belonged to joint family.
The distribution of the sample respondents according to the Respondents'Type of family and the
level of satisfaction perceived towards women empowerment are shown in the following table. It could be observed from the above table that the level of satisfaction perceived by the SHG
women ranged between 27 and 40 with an average of 32.80%. The level of satisfaction towards
empowerment of SHG women of 32 to 45 years age group ranged between 27 and 39 with an average of 32-
84 .The level of satisfaction perceived by the old age women SHG ranged between 27-40 with an average of
32-72. From the analysis, it is inferred that middle age women have perceived more satisfaction towards
empowerment than the young and old age respondents.
With the view to find the degree of association between the age of the respondents and the level of
satisfaction perceived by women towards empowerment, a two- way table was prepared and it depicted in
the following table.The above table reveals that the percentage of high level of satisfaction perceived towards
empowerment of women SHG was the highest (59.55%) among the respondents of 30-45 age group and the
same was the lowest (13.48 % ) among the respondents of above 45 years age group. The percentage of
medium level of satisfaction on women empowerment through SHG was the highest (58.18% ) among the
respondents having 30-45 years age group and the same was the lowest (14.45 ) among the respondents of
above 45 years age group. On the other hand, the percentage of low level of satisfaction perceived by
women SHG on empowerment was the highest (62.96%) among the respondents having 30-45 years age
group and the same was the lowest (14.08 %) among the respondents of above 45 years age group.
In order to find the relationship between age of the respondents and the level of satisfaction towards SHG women empowerment, a chi-square test was employed and the result of the test is shown in
the following table.
Hypothesis (Ho): There is no significant relationship between the age of the respondents and the
level of satisfaction towards women empowerment.
Hypothesis (H1): There is a significant relationship between the age of the respondents and the level
of satisfaction towards women empowerment. It is divulged from the above table that the calculated chi-square value is less than the table value
and the results is not significant at 1% level and 5 % level. Hence, the null hypothesis (Ho) is accepted. The
hypothesis “age of the respondents and the level of satisfaction perceived by self help group women
empowerment'' are associated, does not hold good. From the analysis, it is concluded that there is no close
relationship between age of the respondents and the level of satisfaction perceived towards women
empowerment.
FINDINGS
Age wise analysis of the SHG members and the level of satisfaction was studied and found that the
middle age women have perceived more satisfaction towards empowerment than the old age respondents.
The chi-square analysis proved that there is no close relationship between age of the respondents and the
level of satisfaction perceived towards women empowerment. Marital status of the respondents and level of
satisfaction on women empowerment. It was found from the analysis that themarried respondents have
perceived more satisfaction towards empowerment than divorce and widow. The chi-square analysis
proved that there is no close relationship between marital status of the respondents and the level of
satisfaction perceived towards women empowerment. Nativity-wise analysis highlighted that the
respondents who have the town nativity have perceived more satisfaction on women empowerment than
the respondents who have the urban nativity. The chi-square results revealed that there is a close
relationship between nativity of the respondents and the level of satisfaction perceived towards women
empowerment. Respondents' type of family and level of satisfaction on women empowerment was studied
and was found that the respondents who live in nuclear family perceived more satisfaction on women
empowerment than the respondents who live in joint family. The chi-square analysis also proved there is no
close relationship between the type of family of the respondents and the level of satisfaction perceived
towards women empowerment.
CONCLUSION
The findings from the analysis provide indicationprovision to extractanassumption in respect of
the hypotheses that have taken up for carrying out the study. The overallopinion shows that SHGs are
functioning well in organizing the poor women segment into a self-serviced commercialmedium. The
formation of SHG can create balances for the poor people to contribute into the various revenue earning
activities for the women members in the section. Poverty is generally recognized as a significance of
idleness and lack of availability of income earning foundations.
REFERENCES:-
Banerjee, Amalesh. (2004), “Dynamics of Rural Development: A note”, “Dimension of Rural
Development in North East India,” (ed.) B. Ray and Gurudas Das, Akansha Publishing House, New Delhi.
Gadanayak,B.B.(2008), “ Poverty alleviation at the grass root level, Self-help groups as an instrument,”
Dev4India.org
Harper, M. (2002), “Practical Micro Finance: A training guide for South Asia”, Vistaar Publication, New
Delhi
Seabrook, J. (2003), “The Non-sense Guide to World Poverty”, RawatPublication, Jaipur, New Delhi,
Mumbai
Tripathy, K.K. (2003), “Poverty alleviation: Making micro-finance sustainable,” A financial daily from
The Hindus Group of publications, Nov. 01
Virmani, A. (2004), “Accelerating Growth and Poverty Reduction, A policy framework for Indian
Development,” Academic Foundation, New Delhi
No comments:
Post a Comment