A Qualitative Study on the Role of SHGs in Women's Empowerment
Lopamudra and Suresh (2012)’s community based qualitative study found that SHGs played an important role in women’s empowerment in rural Pondicherry, India. In Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) for six SHGs, members reported a number of benefits: increased freedom of mobility, increased participation in household decision making, increased respect from their families, increased savings, ability to meet family expenses, improved political knowledge, independence, confidence. They gained respect and trust in society and were able to plan for the future of their families.