Impact of Micro Credit on Women Empowerment: A Case Study of Dholpur District of Rajasthan

Abstract

This study is an attempt to assess the empowerment of women through micro credit. It was conducted in Dholpur District to study the formation mechanism of Self Help Groups and to measure the impact of micro credit through SHGs on rural women on two dimensions of women empowerment, namely (1) participation in economic decision making, and (2) participation in social decision making. The study consists of 25 women members of SHGs and 25 non-SHG women members as selected respondents. To find out the impact of SHG membership on the beneficiaries before and after joining the SHG the paired t-test was employed and three point scale was used for analyzing the participation of women in decision making process. The findings indicate that highest majority of women participated in SHGs for economic independence, income-generation activities and social contacts. The impact of participation in decision making on SHG members was found significantly higher than non- SHG members in household expenditure, education of children, marriage of children, marketing and social customs in the home. Women associated with SHGs become more self-confident with increased sense of self-worth. Women’s increased economic activity and control over income resulting from access to micro-credit with improved women's skills, mobility, and access to knowledge have enhanced her status within the community. It can be concluded that there is positive change in both social and economic terms.