THE EFFECT OF MICRO-FINANCE ON THE EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN AND ITS SOCIETAL CONSEQUENCES: A STUDY OF WOMEN SELF-HELP GROUPS MEMBERS IN TAMIL NADU

This paper have been discussed on Empowerment of Women in India covering variety of problems and issues, micro, macro and regional levels, and almost all general aspects of related to women empowerment have been studies by social sciences. Micro-nance has emerged as a powerful tool for women empowerment in the new economy. In India, micronance distribution is mainly dominated by Self Help Groups (SHGs). It aims at providing a cost effective mechanism for providing nancial services to the poor section of the society. As apparent from the preceding detailed discussion on the existing literature on the empowerment of women at different levels in India, attempts made so far suffer discerningly although with the following signicant limitations: (i) All the studies reveals a predominant bias of being macro level studies. Such studies by their very nature do not touch the core of reality, since it is not possible to know from the inner base of the mountain, the problem. The correct approach necessary is to dissect the problem into small pieces and then make an intensive effort to assess the reality; (ii) in the present development context in India; rapid changes are taking place on the economic scene, which bring in their trail, far reaching changes in the social, cultural, and political aspects of life. Therefore, even though a number of micro-studies existing, initiating of a new study in this area would have undiluted importance as such an attempt is bound to throw up several new facts in any empirical exercise having a bearing on policy issues. Thus, on its own, the necessity of a new micro study remains evergreen.