Title: Indian women in grassroots socio-political institutions: impact of microfinance through self-help groups

Authors: Akhaya Kumar Nayak

Addresses: Area of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Management Indore, Indore 453 556, Madhya Pradesh, India

Abstract: Microfinance has long been recognised worldwide as a tool for poverty alleviation. Besides, it also empowers the poor, both socially and politically. One of the largest microfinance programs in India is carried out through women self-help groups (SHGs). Extant literature suggests that by participating in SHGs, Indian women gain numerous socio-economic and political advantages. This paper specifically aims to explore the relationship between women's participation in self-help group activities and their involvement as well as role performance in grassroots socio-political institutions, such as family, village council, local self-government, and caste. The paper concludes that the more actively the women participate in self-help group activities, the more involvement they gain and the more important role they play in grassroots level socio-political institutions. The study has practical implications for policy makers, non-government organisations and activists in India that are attempting to elevate the status of women by enabling their participation in all spheres of life.

Keywords: microfinance; microcredit; self-help groups; SHGs; participation; role performance; women empowerment.

DOI: 10.1504/IJICBM.2018.095672

International Journal of Indian Culture and Business Management, 2018 Vol.17 No.4, pp.383 - 402

Received: 09 Mar 2017
Accepted: 30 Mar 2018
Published online: 16 Oct 2018 *

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