From Isolation to Empowerment: A Critical Review of the Impact of Self-Help Groups

Abstract

This study synthesizes the existing literature on the impact of women's participation in self-help groups (SHGs) on their empowerment. The findings of the study suggest that participation in SHGs has a positive impact on women's economic, social, and psychological empowerment. SHGs provide women with access to financial resources, build their confidence and leadership skills, and create a sense of solidarity and collective action. The paper concludes that SHGs are an effective strategy for promoting women's empowerment, but also identifies the need for greater attention to the diversity of experiences of women across different contexts and the need for more rigorous evaluations of the impact of SHGs.