Vol. 6, Issue 1, Part A (2024)

The terms "self-help group" and "women empowerment" are frequently used interchangeably in modern Indian society. SHGs have significantly contributed to the empowerment of women in India by securing their rightful recognition and facilitating their inclusion in the wider political and economic systems of the country. Several research investigating the benefits and constraints of SHGs have been published in recent decades. Nevertheless, there is insufficient evidence to substantiate the claim that SHGs have genuinely promoted "self-reliance" among their female members, going beyond their mere status as beneficiaries of assistance from these organisations. The available literature unequivocally demonstrates that SHGs have effectively cultivated optimism and confidence among female participants through the promotion of constructive synergies. The extent to which their mental and financial autonomy is affected beyond their exercise groups is insufficiently documented. Without such a transition, SHGs will be unable to facilitate women in achieving their utmost potential. The present study, however limited in scope, seeks to elucidate the various factors that influence the empowerment of women.