[Answered] Critically evaluate the role of self-help groups in empowering women in rural and semi-urban settings. How have these groups influenced women’s participation in local governance?

Self-Help Groups (SHGs) are small voluntary associations of poor people, who come together to solve their common problems through self-help and mutual help. The SHGs usually comprise very poor people who do not have access to formal financial institutions. Self-help groups (SHGs) have played a significant role in empowering women in rural and semi-urban settings in India. However, their impact and influence on women’s participation in local governance can vary depending on several factors.

Role of self-help groups in empowering women in rural and semi-urban settings:

• Economic Empowerment: SHGs have been effective in encouraging women in rural and semi-urban regions to become economically independent. Women now have access to loans and financial resources to launch small enterprises or take part in income-generating activities thanks to microfinance initiatives.
• Social Empowerment: Social engagement and networking among women rise frequently as a result of SHG participation. This aids in dismantling conventional barriers and norms, fostering higher levels of self-esteem and social empowerment.
• Skill Development: Many SHGs offer training and skill development programs, enabling women to acquire new skills, which not only improves their employability but also boosts their self-confidence.
• Collective Bargaining: SHGs empower women to negotiate better prices for their products and services, helping them earn more income. This collective bargaining power can be a significant force for economic empowerment.

Influence of SHG in influencing women’s participation in local governance:

• Representation: SHGs can serve as a training ground for women to understand the workings of community organizations. However, direct participation in local governance can be limited because SHGs are primarily focused on economic and social issues rather than political matters. SHG women’s interaction with panchayats through greater Gram Panchayats-SHG convergence can also provide a valuable civil society check on the working of the panchayats themselves.
• Leadership skills: While SHGs may not directly engage in politics, they often cultivate leadership skills among women. Some women who have been part of SHGs may eventually take an interest in local politics and run for elected positions.
• Influence local issues: Some SHGs engage in advocacy efforts to influence policies and programs that affect their communities. They can lobby for better access to healthcare, nutrition, education, and infrastructure, indirectly impacting local governance.

Conclusion:

SHG should align its efforts to not just focus on economic empowerment alone but also social and political empowerment. Women’s SHGs must be systematically oriented around women’s rights, entitlements, legal remedies, and support systems; they should be actively educated about how to resist gender-based violence, discrimination, and exploitation. They should be supported to function as informal social networks of resilience and solidarity for their members.