Impact of Self Help Groups in Empowering Women: A Study of Rural Assam

Transcription

1 Impact of Self Help Groups in Empowering Women: A Study of Rural Assam Mofidul Islam Jayanta Krishna Sarmah Abstract Empowerment of women is one of the vital issues of development. The awareness on gender issues is though increasing achievement of the goals will not be possible without closing the gaps between women and men in terms of capacities, access to resources and opportunities. Since 1970s, the idea and practice of self help has developed worldwide as a major social phenomenon for poverty alleviation and women empowerment. It has been widely acknowledged in development literature that SHGs is one of the means to empower women by providing easy access to credits. This paper tries to look at how SHGs contribute to the process of socio-economic empowerment of women. It reveals that SHGs lead to personal empowerment in terms of creating awareness on social issues and access to savings but unsuccessful to transform the endeavor into entrepreneurial or skill oriented income generation programme and mobilising members for community development issues. I. Introduction In developing countries a large section of the women are vulnerable and marginalised due to lack of education, access to resources and employment opportunity. All round development and harmonious growth of a nation is possible only when women are considered as equal partners in the developmental process. Since the 1970s, the idea and practice of self help has developed worldwide as a major social phenomenon for poverty alleviation and women empowerment. Self Help Groups (SHGs) are considered as one of the means to empower women by providing easy access to credits. It is believed that easy access to credit would enable women to participate in income generating activities by establishing microenterprises and in the process enhance wellbeing in the households. The ability to generate own income would perhaps help women to derive more power and choices related to household decision making in consumption, education and health related matters, and also open up opportunities to take part in other socio-economic activities. Mofidul Islam and Jayanta Krishna Sarmah (jayanta1947@gmail.com) are Research Scholar and Associate Professor, respectively at Department of Political Science, Gauhati University, Guwahati. 90

2 Vol. XI No.2, 2014 Social Change and Development The neo-liberal policies stand on the freedom of individuals to make their own decisions and reject the culture of dependency. It glorifies the ethos of self-management, self reliance and discipline (Harvey, 2005). But the approach still left out large sections of people in the development process especially in developing countries. In this perspective, the libertarian concept developed by John Rawls is significant. Rawls theory has great significance in the perspective of empowerment for establishing social justice. The concept of empowerment is related with those who are powerless and need interventionist policies to give them power. Rawls theory of justice is to be understood by means of fairness and demands that society should distribute goods according to merit and needs (Rawls, 1971). His distributive theory of justice is based on two principles i.e. the principle of equality and principle of inequality. Principle of inequality is important for bringing gender equality. Empowerment on the other hand is a multidimensional process which enables an individual to realise full identity and power in all spheres of life. To conceptualise the process of empowerment through SHGs, this paper highlights the understanding of empowerment related to power, which indicates having the capacity and the means to direct one s life towards the desired goals. Power can be understood in different ways: power over, power to, power with, power within (Oxaal & Baden, 1997). Michel Foucault (1976) refers power as knowledge and derived from below. It requires micro political channels to disseminate throughout the social body (Banu, 2001). It relates to how individuals can recognise by analysing their experience, how power operates in their lives and gains the confidence to act, influence and change. It focuses participation into decision-making and challenges oppression and inequality with a bottom-up process. Sen s (1999) approach on Development as Freedom has been a starting point for many recent definitions of empowerment. According to him the goal of development is to increase choices. Kabeer (1999) uses this approach in her definition of empowerment as the movement from an inability to an ability to make choices. Narayan (2002, 2005), Alsop and Heinsohn (2005), and Alsop, Bertelsen and Holland (2006) have come together with common conceptual frameworks for understanding empowerment and viewed empowerment broadly as increasing poor people s freedom of choice and action to shape their own lives. Poor people s lack of assets and their powerlessness exclude them from participation in state institutions both formal and informal. Poor people need assets and capabilities to increase their well-being, security and their selfconfidence (Narayan et al 2000). Concept of SHG SHGs are small informal associations of people in a localised context, created for the purpose of enabling members to reap economic benefit out of mutual help, solidarity, and joint responsibility (Anand, 2002). The members here come together to share common experiences and eventually create an opportunity to mobilise resources in the pursuit of needs and interests (Kurtz, 1981). The success of Self Employed Women s Association (SEWA), Mysore Resettlement and Development Agency (MYRADA) 91

3 and the initiative of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) induced the Government of India to enact the Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY) scheme in 1999 which led to the consolidation of SHGs as an effective strategy in poverty eradication and empowerment in India. Studies of Meenai (2003), Galab and Chandrasekhara (2003), Suguna (2006), Jayasheela, Shriprasad and Dinesha (2009), Usha Pitta (2010), Vasanthakumari (2011), Sunny and Pereira (2011), Manga (2011) etc. have revealed that SHGs play important role in socio-economic empowerment of people. It is also revealed that SHGs generate self-employment, build their confidence and improves the access of women to credit. Objectives The paper intends to understand the outcomes observed on social and economic fronts of the women members being involved in SHGs activities. The field work is designed to understand the Motivating factors in getting involved in group activities Process of economic empowerment and the changes observed on personal lives Activities performed by the groups for wellbeing in the society along with the economic activities and the outcomes observed Methodology To understand the impact of SHGs in empowering women of rural Assam, a field survey was conducted in the two development blocks i.e. Juria and Batadrawa of Nagaon District of Assam. The district has the highest concentration of rural population (86.97 percent) compared to the other districts of Assam (Census of India, 2011). The District even has the second highest of total SHGs formed under SGSY in the districts of Assam. The universe of the study consists of SHGs registered under SGSY during April 1999 to March Based on the list provided by the Block Development Offices, 152 functional SHGs are approached for the survey and one member from each group is selected randomly. In addition to this few focused group discussions (FGD) were conducted to understand general functioning of the groups. II. Discussion Socio-economic background of the SHG members Socio-economic profiles help in deriving a comprehensive picture of the respondents and the society in which they live. In this context age, religion, marital status, level of education, occupations both primary and secondary are considered as important variables. The 152 women members of SHGs in the sample render their services as president of the groups (44.7 percent), secretaries (23.7 percent) and general members (32.6 percent). 92

4 Vol. XI No.2, 2014 Social Change and Development Majority of the members in the groups (63.8 percent) are Muslims and rest 36.2 percent are Hindus. The women are mostly in the age group of years (62.5 percent) and 34.9 percent belong to the age group of years. Altogether 89.5 percent women members are found to be married, 9.9 percent women are widows and.07 percent respondents are divorced. Educational qualification of majority (58.6 percent) of the respondents is limited to the primary level. Altogether 38.8 percent women attended high school and 2.6 percent attended higher secondary school. So far husband s education is concerned 34 percent attended up to the primary level, 30 percent attended high school and 31 percent attended higher secondary school. Animal husbandry (69.1 percent), petty businesses and weaving (12.5 percent each) and cultivation (4.6 percent) are the activities the women in the sample are reportedly engaged 1. It can be argued that involvement in some form of occupations help women in generating additional resources and income; the returns come handy in accessing better health care and education for their children. Such outcomes also help to lessen family tension and conflicts. The husbands of the women are engaged in cultivation (54.0 percent) and petty businesses (44.5 percent). The monthly income in the majority (74.3 percent) of the respondents household is below Rs.5000 and 25.7 percent respondents have monthly household income in between Rs The interactions reveal that after joining the activities of the SHGs, most of the families have able to raise their income. Motivating and influencing factors in the SHGs Friends and relatives (reported by 69 women or 45.4 percent), government departments (67 women or 44.1 percent) were the main drivers in motivating them to be part of the SHGs. Other factors such as self-motivation and family members reportedly had insignificant role. Interactions revealed that factors - to earn additional income for the family and develop saving habits were the main reasons for getting involved in the SHG activities. The other factors such as- to develop self and mutual help, mobilise available resources, enhance their status in the family and society, enhance investing power to generate more income and to avail loan and government subsidy are also appeared to be important to an extent (Table 1). 1 Following the note of Census of India on women s work, it can be inferred that most of these activities are subsidiary in nature. 93

5 Table 1 Factors which influence the formation of SHGs Got involved in the SHGs to Agree Somewhat agree Develop self and mutual help 34 (22.4) 114 (75.0) Mobilise available resources 2 (1.3) 142 (93.4) Enhance status in the family and society 50 (32.9) 101 (66.4) Earn additional income for the family 133 (87.5) 19 (12.5) Develop saving habit 132 (86.8) 20 (13.2) Enhance investing power to generate more income 62 (40.8) 88 (57.9) Avail loan and Govt. subsidy 37 (24.3) 113 (74.3) Source: Field Study, 2013, figures in the brackets are in percentage Economic empowerment of women Few indicators were considered important to understand economic empowerment of the respondents. The women were queried on the issues of income generation process, access to financial resources, elimination of dependence on money lender, increase in income and savings, freedom to use that income, financial self reliance, decision making in financial matter of family and ownership of income and assets. Most of the sampled women (57.2 percent) are found to be engaged in animal husbandry through the groups. This is followed by weaving and handicraft (13.8 percent each), food processing (3.9 percent) and petty shops (7.9 percent). All indicate that the involvements are traditional activities in nature. After joining activities of the SHGs, the women have been able to raise their monthly income to an extent. The income of majority of the respondents (118 women or 77.6 percent) still remained below Rs. 500 a month from the group activities. Income of the rest remained in between Rs The incomes though meager provide significant support to address crisis in the rural families. It was indicated that altogether 100 respondents received some forms of training through the groups. The trainings received by the most were in maintenance of SHG activities (received by 64 women), entrepreneurship development skills (16 women), awareness creation on development schemes (10 women), leadership management skills (9 women) and business planning training (one woman). To measure the level of economic empowerment, nine variables were taken into account for analysis (Table 2). A large section of the women believed that there is significant changes in the family income (52.6 percent women reported this), saving habits (92.1 percent), control over domestic financial decision making process (57.9 percent) and participation in making decision on family budget (54.6 percent) because of their involvement in the SHGs activities. On the other hand, some moderate level of changes were reported in case of spending money according to their own discretion, recognition of women s economic contribution in the family, independence in procuring ornaments 94

6 Vol. XI No.2, 2014 Social Change and Development and domestic goods for the households. One significant outcome was observed is low dependence on the money lenders (reported by 78 percent women) in the process. Table 2 Level of changes in in household economy SHG activities helped in High Moderate Raising family income 80 (52.6) 69 (45.4) Increased saving habits 140 (92.1) 12 (7.9) Domestic financial decision making process 88 (57.9) 64 (42.1) Participation in making decision in the family budget 83 (54.6) 69 (45.4) Spend money according to own discretion 66 (43.4) 85 (55.9) Recognition of women s economic contribution in family 33 (21.7) 118 (77.6) Independence in purchasing ornaments 53 (34.9) 98 (64.5) Independence in purchase of domestic goods 29 (19.1) 121 (79.6) Lower dependence on money lender 2 (1.3) 31 (20.4) Source: Field study, 2013; figures in brackets are in percentage Empowerment to address personal and social issues In a society where most of the women are illiterate or have very low level of educational attainment, gender sensitisation programme and capacity building for income generating activities could yield significant impacts. These are in the forms of raising self-respect to take responsibility and make decisions in all fronts of life. It can be argued that the SHGs cannot become an effective people s institutions concentrating only on saving and credit activities. It needs to emerge as community based institutions to address social issues. One of the objectives of the SGSY in India is to empower people through the process of social mobilisation. To assess the impacts of SHGs on personal front opinions were sought from the women (Table 3). Table 3 Changes in personal aspects being involved in SHGs Changes observed on personal front High Moderate Rise in social status 75 (49.3) 77 (50.7) Ability to interact with outsiders 73 (48.0) 79 (52.0) Involvement in deciding children s education and health 96 (63.2) 56 (36.8) Access to sanitation facility 39 (25.7) 113 (74.3) Ability to face challenges 51 (33.6) 101 (66.4) Decline in family conflict 72 (47.4) 80 (52.6) Ability to take innovative decision 70 (46.1) 82 (53.9) Sense of responsibility 69 (45.4) 83 (54.6) Adopting family planning measures 67 (44.1) 85 (55.9) Encouraging non-members to face cruel social norms against women 14 (9.2) 138 (90.8) Confidence to move outside the home 88 (57.9) 62 (40.8) Source: Field Study, 2013; figures in brackets are in percentage 95

7 Table 3 indicates that a large section of women perceive high level of changes in their confidence level in respect to involvement in decision of children s education and health and to move outside their homes. In case of variables- rise in social status, ability to interact with others, access to sanitation facility, ability to face challenges, handle the family conflicts, family planning measures, ability to take innovative decisions, encouraging non-members to face cruelty and social norms against women, the respondents reported moderate level of changes. It is also revealed that being the member of the SHGs the women are now aware of various socio-political issues and have become members of other social organisations such as school management committee, Anganwadhi committee (AWC); mother supports group in schools etc. Table 4 reveals that majority of the respondents (81.6 percent) of the SHGs undertake social service activities. Mobilisation of the community for women s issues (55.9 percent), raising voice against social problems and helping needy people (65.1 percent), decision on local political issues (50 percent), decision to vote in elections (88.8 percent) attending personal problems of the group members (99.3 percent) are some of the important activities performed by most of the women members. The participation level, however, in most of the cases appeared to be moderate. Table 4 Collective activities performed by the women members Activities performed Number Participation of group Full Moderate members performed Social service activities 124 (81.6) 19 (15.3) 105 (84.7) Mobilisation of community for women issues 85 (55.9) 4 (4.7) 81(95.3) Voice against social problems and help the needy 99 (65.1) 11 (11.1) 88 (88.9) Decision on local political issues 76 (50.0) 3 (3.9) 73 (96.1) Decision on vote in the time of election 135 (88.8) 58 (43.0) 77 (57.0) Discussion on personal problems of group members 151 (99.3) 132 (87.4) 19 (12.6) Involvement in development activities 9 (5.9) 3 (33.3) 6 (66.7) Involvement in activities of Panchayati Raj 4 (2.6) 4 (100.0) Making non-members aware about the benefits of SHG 14 (9.2) 1 (7.1) 10 (71.4) Source: Field Study, 2013; figures in brackets are in percentage 96

8 Vol. XI No.2, 2014 Social Change and Development III. Concluding remarks During the field interactions it was reported that government officials do not properly monitor or evaluate the activities of the groups. Indifferent attitudes of the government officials come to the fore as de-motivating factor in effective functioning of the groups. Some groups are formed only with the expectation for the subsidy provisioned under the SGSY and once the benefits of subsidies are derived, members do not concentrate to the plan the sustainability part. It has also appeared that most of the group members lack managerial and operation skills to run the activities. The gap in skill acquisition and outcomes in some forms is reportedly because of lack of collateral support and guidance to start an activity. It can be assumed that absence of voluntary or nongovernmental organistions and other promoting institutions in the study locality also act as limiting factor to motivate the members for effective group activities. Whatever the level of shortcoming or problems persist to derive the expected level of outcome, SHG activities have opened up choices for women and changes are observed in the study area. Concentrated efforts from the representatives of the State and society are required for selection of the beneficiaries to sustain the motivations in various forms of endeavour. The motivations of people often get dampen because of lack of supportive infrastructure and facilities for orientation and training as well as put the products at the remunerative markets. Enthusiasm in the collective activities on social issues is expected only after fulfillment of expected level of outcomes at personal front. References Alsop R, N Heinsohn (2005) Measuring Empowerment in Practice: Structuring Analysis and Framing Indicators, World Bank Policy Research Working Paper 3510 Alsop R, M Bertelsen, J Holland (2006) Empowerment in Practice: From Analysis to Implementation, Washington, DC, World Bank Anand S J (2002) Self-Help Groups in Empowering Women: Case study of selected SHGs and NHGs, Kerala Research Programme on Local Level Development, Centre for Development Studies, Discussion Paper, No. 38 Banu Z (2011) Tribal women Empowerment and Gender Issues, Kanishka Publishers and Distributors, New Delhi Foucault M (1976) Two Lectures, Power/Knowledge: Selected Interviews and Other Writings, Ed. Colin Gordon, Brighton: Harvester, 1980, Galab S, R N Chandrasekhara (2003) Women s self-help groups, poverty alleviation and empowerment, Economic and Political Weekly, Vol. 38, No. 12/13, Mar April. 4, pp Harvey D (2005) A brief history of neo liberalism, Oxford University Press, New York Jayasheela S H, P T Dinesha (2009) Microfinance in India a Tool for Women Empowerment, Serials Publications, New Delhi Kabeer N (1999) Resource, agency, achievements: reflections on the measurement of women s empowerment, Development and Change, Volume 30, Issues 3, pp

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