• Sowjanya S. Shetty M
• Dr. V. Basil Hans

Empowerment of women has evolved as an important issue in India in recent years. Excluding women makes the development process is unjust and incomplete. In India, women constitute about 48.46 per cent of the population (2011 Census), but their participation in economic activity is only 34 per cent. To improve the status of women, they must be empowered economically, politically and socially. Microfinance is performing the function of providing financial services to these excluded sections of the population and is a critical empowerment tool today. Among several subsidised programmes launched by the government for financial inclusion and rural development, microfinance has emerged as a catalyst for rural development. Microfinance and SHGs are effective in (a) reducing poverty, (b) empowering women and (c) creating awareness which finally results in the sustainable development of the nation. The impact of microfinance programme through self-help groups (SHGs) has been useful in making positive social changes to all members, irrespective of the direct borrowers of the microcredit. They assist SHGs in income-generating activities. The Self-Help Group (SHG) movement has made the mission of women empowerment powerful. This paper identifies the SHG movement’s role in the financial inclusion and empowerment of women. It also probes into the significant hurdles in the path of women empowerment, education and employment. Finally, the paper attempts to look for measures to overcome the problem of women excluded and direct them to the path of empowerment. We strongly feel that more initiatives, innovations and interventions in the arena of SHGs will augur well in strengthening the agenda of development.

Empowerment, financial inclusion, SHGs, Women

"Financial Inclusion And Empowerment Of Women Through SHGs", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 5, page no.534-538, May-2019, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1905374.pdf

"Financial Inclusion And Empowerment Of Women Through SHGs", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 5, page no. pp534-538, May-2019, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1905374.pdf