Women Empowerment through Self-Help Groups in Kinnaur District of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

Empowering women is recognized as a crucial strategy for encouragement inclusive development and building strong societies. In tribal communities, women play a dynamic role in the social and economic fabric, yet their contributions often remain undervalued and overlooked. self-help groups (SHGs) serve as informal platforms that bring women together to collaboratively improve their living conditions and promote social and economic empowerment. The present descriptive study explores the role of SHGs in empowering tribal women in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh. A sample of 100 women, drawn from 10 SHGs across selected villages, was surveyed using a structured questionnaire developed by the researchers. The data were analyzed using percentage analysis.

The findings reveal that participation in SHGs significantly enhanced women's self-confidence, including improvements in problem-solving, communication, decision-making, and active social participation. Furthermore, the majority of respondents reported the development of entrepreneurial skills through SHGs, enabling them to engage in income-generating activities such as knitting, stitching, dairy, fruit processing, and small-scale business start-ups. The study underscores the transformative potential of SHGs in encouragement women's empowerment, enhancing self-reliance, and promoting sustainable development in tribal areas.