Transforming rural women’s lives in India: the impact of microfinance and entrepreneurship on empowerment in Self-Help Groups

Abstract

Abstract The study investigates how microfinance interventions and the entrepreneurial engagement of Self-Help Group (SHGs) members impact women’s social and economic empowerment in rural communities. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data analysis and qualitative insights gathered through surveys, interviews, and case studies. The study’s findings demonstrated a notably positive and moderately significant impact of microfinance and entrepreneurial engagement on the social, economic, and psychological dimensions of women’s empowerment. Furthermore, the inclusion of case studies provided evidence that microfinance activities and entrepreneurship involvement have substantially empowered women across various domains, such as increasing financial independence, enhancing participation in decision-making processes, fostering social networks and support, and boosting their overall self-confidence and well-being. These insights emphasise the transformative potential of microfinance initiatives in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment in diverse socio-economic contexts.

Keywords

• Self-Help Group
• Entrepreneurship
• Microfinance
• Rural communities