Impact of Self-Help Groups on Rural Women Empowerment: A Case Study of Mokokchung District, Nagaland, India

Abstract

Self Help Groups (SHGs) in Nagaland have emerged as a significant vehicle for uplifting women, playing crucial roles in overcoming barriers such as poverty, lack of employment opportunities and gender disparities. The expectation that women should remain subservient to their parents and later to their husbands is a deeply ingrained social norm especially in rural areas. SHGs help women break free from such cultural boundaries and beliefs. This study was conducted in Mokokchung district, Nagaland. Purposive sampling method was used to select 180 women respondents. A marked improvement was observed in the average annual income before and after joining SHG, while the majority (52.78 %) formerly earned between Rs. 40,000 and Rs. 60,000, after joining SHGs 43.89 % of these respondents moved into the income range of Rs. 1,20,000 to Rs. 1,40,000. The increase in their income not only enhanced their self-esteem but also conferred social recognition among women in their community which served as an inspiration to others. Women also engage in a variety of income generating activities, where their work align with their skill set or comfort levels.