Scope of Self Help Group

abhishreshthaa

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Various programmes have been and are being implemented in the post-independence era for woman’s progress. The woman is being emancipated as a result of these programmes.


Though the pace of this development is slow, there are definite signs of changes in the society.


In these efforts, SHGs play an important role. SHGs are now recognized as a powerful means of social development. Through the present study of the SHGs carried out by Drushti, following recommendations have come to fore, which if implemented, would enable the SHGs to become more useful.


There is no doubt that some institutions are already implementing many of these suggestions; but it is felt that there is a need to hasten the process of social empowerment.



1. If it is desired to accomplish social changes through SHGs, the NGOs and Government agencies should consider SHG as a miniature society and execute some of the following recommendations in their respective fields:


a) Training camps for the women in the SHGs on various topics such as, how to handle the financial matters should be organized.



b) Now there is a growing participation of women in the political activities in the rural area. In such situation, there is a growing need to develop leadership qualities in the women. Also, they should be educated on how their participation could be made useful to achieve some concrete results.



c) There is a need to impart training in entrepreneurship and marketing.


d) Training may be given on how various government schemes should successfully be implemented to achieve the objective of rural development.


e) Training camps on issues concerning health and legal matters should be organised.


f) There is a need to organise literacy camps, also. Though NGOs and Government agencies are doing their bit, they should lay more emphasis on these activities.


2. If these institutions are to carry out above suggestions, they themselves would need guidance. The NCW may initiate preparation of syllabi on various topics for the purpose.


3. It is noticed that SHGs are created; they function for a period and then become defunct. Also, SHGs function so long as they receive Government grants and then become dysfunctional. This has to be checked. Steps can be initiated by NCW to stem the rot.


4. The SHGs are multiplying numerically. It has, therefore, become difficult to monitor their functioning. If numerical growth of SHGs is inevitable, then a scheme of capacity building of some selected SHGs should be devised and implemented.


5. For this to be achieved, it would be beneficial to give certain targets to the institutions. Also it would be worthwhile to organize some events like competitions amongst the institutions to fulfil the targets. A module of such activities could be spurred to be prepared by NCW.


6. Social emancipation could be coupled with the women’s economic development. For achieving this, the co-ordinates of the institutions would have to be provided an insight of the process of how social development of the women could be accomplished along with their economic development.



7. The type of the vocational trainings provided at present by the Government institutions to the members of the SHGs is not able to provide employment to them on a large scale. Some other measures are needed to be taken to generate employment avenues in the rural area at the village level.
 
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