Micro-Credit and Empowerment of Urban Women. Women Empowerment

Table of Contents

I INTRODUCTION AND DESIGN OF THE STUDY

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Micro Credit System

1.3 Micro Finance Models

1.4 Objectives Of The Study

1.5 Statement Of The Problem

1.6 Significance Of Research

1.7 Research Gaps

1.8 Research Questions

1.9 Proposed Model

1.10 Research Hypotheses

1.11 Scope Of The Study

1.12 Research Design

1.12.1 Selection of Study Area

1.12.2 Sampling Design

1.12.3 Sample Size

1.12.4 Data Sources

1.12.5 Design for Data Collection

1.12.6 Framework of Analysis

1.12.7 Tools for Data Collection

1.12.8 Limitations of the Study

1.12.9 Scheme of the Report

II REVIEW OF LITERATURE

III SELF HELP GROUP- AN OVERVIEW

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Need Of Women Empowerment

3.3 Rationale Of Women Economic Empowerment

3.4 Empowering Women

3.5 Gender Policies And Programmes In India

3.6 Concept Of Self-Help Groups

3.7 Origin Of Self-Help Groups

3.8 History Of Self Help Groups In Post Independent India

3.9 Micro-Finance Through Self-Help Groups

3.10 Self-Help Groups Bank-Linkage Programmes

3.11 Rationale Of The Study

3.12 Operational Definition Of Concepts

IV ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

V FINDINGS, SUGGESTIONS AND CONCLUSION

5.1 Findings

5.2 Suggestions

5.3 Conclusion

Research Objectives and Themes

This thesis examines the role of micro-credit and Self-Help Group (SHG) participation in the socio-economic empowerment of urban women in Tamil Nadu. The study evaluates how financial inclusion through these informal group structures influences women's decision-making power, entrepreneurial capacity, and overall household stability.

• Socio-economic impact of SHG membership on urban women.
• Effectiveness of micro-finance models in delivering financial support.
• Barriers to entrepreneurial activities among SHG participants.
• Demographic factors influencing participation and business success.
• Personal, family, and social empowerment through credit accessibility.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

I INTRODUCTION AND DESIGN OF THE STUDY: This chapter establishes the research background, microfinance concepts, study objectives, and the methodological framework used to measure women's empowerment.

II REVIEW OF LITERATURE: This chapter surveys existing academic research, identifying key studies on self-help groups, micro-credit efficacy, and the socio-economic dynamics of women's empowerment.

III SELF HELP GROUP- AN OVERVIEW: This chapter provides a comprehensive history of the SHG movement in India, tracing its evolution from early government schemes to modern bank-linkage models.

IV ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION: This chapter presents the primary data findings, using statistical tools to evaluate the impact of SHGs on demographics, business investment, and empowerment levels.

V FINDINGS, SUGGESTIONS AND CONCLUSION: This chapter synthesizes the study findings, offers managerial policy recommendations, and concludes on the critical role of micro-finance for sustainable growth.

Keywords

Micro-credit, Self-Help Groups, Women Empowerment, Socio-economic Growth, Microfinance, Urban Poverty, Financial Inclusion, Entrepreneurship, SHG Bank Linkage, Tamil Nadu, Economic Well-being, Social Stratification, Livelihood Development, Gender Equality, Credit Accessibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary focus of this research?

The research focuses on the impact of micro-credit and Self-Help Group (SHG) interventions on the empowerment of urban women in Tamil Nadu, aiming to link financial support to socio-economic growth.

Which demographic challenges do the women in this study face?

Urban women in this study typically deal with limited access to formal finance, low skill levels, patriarchal social constraints, and the burden of managing household chores alongside informal employment.

What is the core target of the proposed research model?

The model targets the transition from micro-credit and SHG membership to tangible outcomes in sustainable socio-economic growth, classified into personal, social, and economic wellbeing.

How was the primary data collected?

Primary data was collected via structured personal interviews and questionnaire surveys distributed to a sample of 418 SHG members selected through multi-stage random sampling.

Which statistical methods were utilized for analysis?

The study employed descriptive statistics, ANOVA, T-tests, Factor Analysis, and Multiple Regression Modeling to identify the impact of various socio-economic factors on women's empowerment levels.

What do the findings suggest regarding SHG influence?

The findings indicate that SHG membership significantly improves women's self-confidence, savings habits, and decision-making capabilities within the community and family, though challenges in financial management persist.

How does educational status impact SHG effectiveness?

The study analyzes whether educational levels have a significant correlation with empowerment outcomes, concluding on the necessity of integrated skill development alongside basic micro-credit.

What are the identified barriers to business expansion for members?

Key barriers identified include shortage of working capital, fluctuations in commodity prices, rising input costs, and difficulties in marketing products effectively.