Self-help groups as role-models on generating employment, income and savings: Tale of Thane district of Maharashtra, India
- 2011
- p.46-65.
- Jan-Mar
Generation of self-employment for the marginalised sections in rural areas is one of the important components of the anti-poverty and rural development strategy. There is an institutional vacuum at the grassroots level to safeguard the interests of the poor. Timely and adequate credit availability is essential for undertaking economic activity and creating self-employment opportunities. However, historically, credit access and terms have been discriminatory against women. In this context there is substantial evidence that organising women around thrift and credit services is one of the most effective methods for poverty-alleviation and empowerment of women. This article makes a strong case for Microfinance through Self-Help Group (SHG)-Bank linkage as an innovative programme of financial inclusion. It highlights the role of SHGs as a new development paradigm for improving the welfare of marginalised rural women in India by creating self-employment opportunities through microcredit. This article is based on the premise that the concept of group formation is the best strategy to provide credit and the necessary mental courage for self-employment. - Reproduced.
Income - India - Maharashtra Savings - India - Maharashtra Employment - India - Maharashtra Self help - India - Ma harashtra Self employed - India - Maharashtra Self employed