WOMEN EMPOWERMENT THROUGH SHGS: A CASE STUDY IN YSR KADAPA DISTRICT OF ANDHRA PRADESH

Women empowerment through SHGs based micro-finance has been the central to development agenda in India. The government has also paid special attention to women’s empowerment and it encompasses their enhanced status in social, political and economic spheres. The banking institutions have well realized that small customers are no different from other customers; however, they need to design and deliver products to poor customers in realizing their credit needs. The increasing demand for micro credit in India also poses a serious challenge to the financial institutions since about 400 million poor people need micro finance for their development and empowerment. The changing paradigm of micro finance demands for increased budgetary allocations on capacity building of the poor for sustainable income generating activities and livelihood development. The micro finance institutions also need to realize the emerging potential of micro finance and serving the people through extending credit to them and development of the nation. Most women workers in India are engaged in agriculture, where livelihood is insecure and wages are low. Self-Help Groups (SHGs) are usually informal groups whose members have a common perception of need and importance towards collective action. From the various Age Groups. 35% of the respondents fall in the age group of 25-35 years while 31.7% fall in the age of above 25 years. The involvement is high among 25-35 years old. Age is a criterion in Self Help group as the economic value generation needs health and active involvement. Regarding the Marital Status of Rural Women, it was found that the 61% respondents are married, 11% are widows and no one are separated. Distribution of Respondents is based on the Education of Rural Women. 31.8% of the respondents have primary education while 49% have secondary education. In the most of the respondents (88%) have family support. , means either divorcees or widows.