Self-help Group (shg) Movement in Tamil Nadu - Empowerment of Rural Women

There are several successful experiments on the concept of Self-Help Group in India during the last two decades. However, they are limited to a few pockets of some states and districts. Tamil Nadu is one such State that experienced this movement extensively. It has made difference in its approach, growth and impact in terms of bringing awareness, facilitating employment generation and empowering of rural women. The overall objective of this paper is to examine the process through which SHG movement took shape in Tamil Nadu and brought about significant improvement in the living conditions of the poor especially women leading to their empowerment. This paper is based on a large research study conducted by NIRD in 14 States including Tamil Nadu as part of its research activities.