Empowering Women: A Study of the Impact on Political Awareness through Participation in SHGs

Abstract

Poverty is a global phenomenon. In its 2023 report, the United Nations indicates that approximately 18 per cent (1.1 billion) of the 6.1 billion people in 110 countries experience acute multidimensional poverty. Despite making up a sizable proportion of the world’s population, women are more marginalised, poor, and uninformed and face economic challenges than other demographic groups. Self-help groups are widely acknowledged as an efficient mechanism for reducing women’s poverty. Additionally, it provides strength and support to underprivileged people in terms of social and political empowerment. On this ground, this study intends to investigate the impact of SHGs on women’s political awareness in the East Champaran district region of Bihar. The primary data used in this study were collected from three blocks of the selected district, namely Kotwa, Motihari, and Banjariya. A descriptive study design has been taken for the purpose of the study. Through the purposive sampling method, 150 potential respondents were interviewed thoroughly. The study’s findings revealed that the SHGs process effectively empowers women politically. It is making an appreciable effort to improve women’s political awareness in the study area. However, there is still a lack of favourable political advancement among them. Ultimately, this study provides strategies for enhancing the political empowerment of women through SHGs.

Keywords: SHGs, Empowerment, Women, Political Empowerment, East Champaran

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