Knowledge level of rural women regarding self-help group activities in Balangir district of Odisha

Abstract

Self-Help Groups (SHGs) have emerged as a vital mechanism for empowering rural women by enhancing their socio-economic status. This study focuses on assessing the knowledge level of rural women in SHGs in Balangir district, Odisha, across key aspects such as SHG guidelines, benefits, record maintenance, meeting conduct, and vocational enterprises. The study employed an ex-post facto research design, with 90 respondents selected through a proportionate random sampling method across four blocks and 12 villages. Data were collected using structured interviews and analysed using statistical tools like frequency, percentage, and mean ranking. Results revealed that a majority (63.33%) of respondents had medium-level knowledge of SHG activities, with significant knowledge gaps in vocational enterprises (44.59%) and record maintenance (26.95%). These gaps highlight the need for targeted training programs and increased extension efforts to strengthen SHG members’ capacity. The study concludes that improving knowledge in critical areas can enhance SHG functioning, contributing to rural women’s empowerment and economic development.