• Dr. A. Kanaka Durga
• Immaniyelu Yepuri

Microfinance has emerged as a powerful tool for women empowerment in the new economy. In India, microfinance distribution is mainly dominated by Self Help Groups (SHGs) -Bank Linkage Programme. It aims at providing a cost effective mechanism for providing financial services to the poor section of the society. In India, women empowerment is a buzzword in the present day. As a country, India is faithful to empower women. Though women are considered as “the unrecognized heroine, who works from birth to death”, yet it is terrible that even the unknowing and worthless men had been enjoying supremacy over women, which they don’t earn and must not to have. As most of the women lack assets that help contribute well-being and women empowerment in India, economic freedom over entrepreneurial development and self-employment is something that needs attention. Efforts on women empowerment will help society to get rid of social evils. There is a long way to take people away from poverty but SHGs can become significant tool to achieve this objective through microfinance programs. According to Mukherjee and Purkayastha, SHGs are the most contemporary modes for poverty eradication and women empowerment in India. Microfinance helps poor people including women in getting employment, increasing confidence, enhancing communication skills and in other aspects as well. Women gain greater control over resources like material possession, intellectual resources like knowledge, information, ideas and decision making at home, community, society and nation through involvement in these microfinance programs.

Microfinance; Women empowerment; Self-Help Group; Economic security; Household economic decision making.

"Micro Finance and Empowerment of women", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 5, page no.1956-1961, May-2019, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1905T79.pdf

"Micro Finance and Empowerment of women", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 5, page no. pp1956-1961, May-2019, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1905T79.pdf