IMPACT OF SELF HELP GROUPS ON THE SOCIO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF WOMEN ENTREPRENURSHIP IN CHENNAI CITY

Abstract

The previous three decades have witnessed remarkable emphasis and policy support to the harmonization of women into self-help groups (SHG) for their socio-economic empowerment; consequently, there is a growth in the numbers of the SHGs in the country. The present study was undertaken in Chennai city with 110 SHG women to consider on the impact of being in SHG on progressive employment, income, expenditure, and savings. It also analysed how the decision-making ability of SHG members is influenced by different consideration. The restraints that challenge SHG were also assessed. The majority of SHG members were able to get added employment under different activities by SHG finance. All the members (100%) reported increased income after they join the SHGs.  Questionnaire is used as the study instrument. Exploratory factor analysis and one-way ANOVA are the statistical tools used to achieve the objectives. SPSS v23. is used to analyse the data. Results confirmed that Freedom, Self confidence, Decision Making, Income, Literacy and Self reliance are the factors that influence the Socio economic status of the women SHG entrepreneurs. Significant influence of age group, educational qualification, and occupation on socio economic status is observed but influence of marital status on socio economic status is not observed. 

KEYWORDS: SHGs, Entrepreneurship, Socio-economic, Empowerment, Sustainable                       Development, financial decision-making.