Role of self-help groups in women's empowerment concerning decision making

Abstract

Self-Help Groups (SHGs) have emerged as pivotal platforms for fostering women’s empowerment, particularly in rural and agrarian contexts. This study examines the role of SHGs in enhancing women’s decision-making abilities in Kupwara district, Jammu & Kashmir. Three blocks with the highest concentration of SHGs engaged in agricultural activities were purposively selected, and 140 members were sampled using proportional allocation. An ex-post-facto research design was employed, and data were collected through a pre-tested structured interview schedule. Findings revealed that the majority of members (80%) exhibited moderate decision-making ability (scores between 11-25), with a mean score of 17.535 (SD = 7.198). Age, education, marital status, source of information, and social participation were positively and significantly correlated with decision-making capacity, while family size showed a negative relationship. The predominance of moderate decision-making skills suggests that SHGs contribute to collective problem-solving and participatory governance; however, the presence of members with low decision-making capacity underscores the need for targeted interventions such as decision-making training, mentoring, and capacity-building programs. Strengthening these skills will not only enhance individual empowerment but also improve overall SHG performance and rural development outcomes.