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Unit 6: Grassroots Entrepreneurs through Self-Help Groups




          Becoming a member in SHG ensures women to become socially and politically empowered.  Notes
          The concept of SHG generally rejuvenate the rural women as it helps in breaking the vicious
          circle of poverty among women, thereby to become economically viable.

          Self Help Groups (SHGs) have been successful in empowering rural women through
          entrepreneurial activities. Increase in income, expenditure and saving habits of rural women
          were observed. The SHGs had major impact on social and economic life of rural women.


                 Example: Rang De. Founded by Ramakrishna and Smita Ram in January 2008, Rang De
          is a peer-to-peer online platform that makes low-cost micro-credit accessible to both the rural
          and urban poor in India.
          A study revealed an increase in social recognition of self, status of family in the society, size of
          social circle and involvement in intra family and entrepreneurial decision making. There was
          an increase in self-confidence, self-reliance and independence of rural women due to the
          involvement in the entrepreneurial and other activities of SHGs. SHGs could be linked to
          literacy programmes run by government and it could be made an integral part of SHG activities.
          Raised literacy level could be helpful for the SHG members to overcome cognitive constraints
          and to understand government policies, technical understanding and gaining required skills.
          Rural women could be motivated to avail finances for starting the entrepreneurial activities.
          Awareness created about various credit facilities, financial incentives and subsidies through
          Self-Help Groups. As women were found technologically less empowered, they are to be imposed
          to the technologies which are labor saving, drudgery reducing, income generating and
          productivity increasing. Entrepreneurship education and trainings could be introduced at all
          levels from basic education. It could be helpful in inducing positive self-concept, self-reliance,
          self-confidence and independence in rural women.

          Self Assessment

          State whether the following statements are true or false:
          11.  Women are not considered to be good leaders in matters requiring collaboration, group
               integration and ability to listen and motivation.
          12.  Micro finance through the self help groups has a lot of role to play in the grassroot
               entrepreneurship as well as women empowerment.
          13.  A Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) is a voluntary organization established to
               undertake social intermediation.

          14.  Micro credit appears to improve the lives of those who are poor by decreasing their
               buying and investing capability.
          15.  Self-help groups promote savings among members and use the pooled resources for
               multi dimensional development.

















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