ROLE OF SELF-HELP GROUPS IN WOMEN EMPOWERMENT: A CRITICAL STUDY WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO DARRANG DISTRICT OF ASSAM

Abstract

Women are the main architect of any nation. In India, central as well state governments are introducing various schemes of women empowerment. Self-help groups are one of them to make women financially upgraded. SHGs of village area are making a change in the scenario of women participation in productive activities and thus making them empowered and financially independent. In this article, a critical study is made on the present scenario of self-help groups accelerating women development in Darrang district of Assam. Moreover, an attempt is made to find out the possibilities and challenges of women empowerment through self-help groups. Darrang district of Assam is taken as the specific area for study. The article is primarily based on secondary data, collected from reliable sources of Government Departments as well as from various research studies conducted in this area. Moreover, personal interview is conducted with some knowledgeable persons working with the self-help groups. Some suggestions are also made for better achievement of the objectives regarding women empowerment through self-help groups.  

Key words: Women Empowerment, Self-Help group, Darrang District.