de Hoop et al. (2020) outline the implications of COVID-19 on women’s groups in India, Nigeria and Uganda and how the groups may help mitigate the effects of the pandemic for their communities. Groups were found to be affected by social distancing and the economic repercussions of the lockdowns. However, they can strengthen their member’s resilience to shocks and serve as crucial partners in community response.
Read MoreDìaz-Martin et al. (2020) compare interventions delivered through women’s groups and individual-based interventions to determine if the former offers unique benefits. Group-based models can offer a platform for intervention delivery, and social interactions between members can generate a number of positive impacts. Women’s groups do not generate impacts outside of their core function, unless there is intentional layering of content within the program design.
Read MoreWalia et al. (2020) measured whether delivering health messages through SHGs in Bihar impacted antenatal care (ANC) behaviors. They surveyed 1,204 SHG members: 597 were from SHGs that received maternal and child health messaging in at least one weekly group meeting per month and 607 were from SHGs that were not exposed to the health intervention. They found that sharing health messages in microfinance-based SHGs is associated with significant increase in ANC practice.
Read MoreThis guide provides a collection of field-tested survey instruments and questions for measuring women’s empowerment and economic outcomes in quantitative impact evaluations and mixed-methods studies of women’s groups.
Read MoreA Share Trust evidence brief outlines the role Self Help Groups can play in bridging the gap between supply and demand for health interventions and increase rates of follow-up care.
Read MoreHazra et al. (2020)’s quasi experimental study in Uttar Pradesh, India assessed the effects of health behavior change interventions on maternal and newborn health (MNH) practices when delivered through women’s SHGs. The study found that providing the interventions through SHGs not only helped improve maternal and newborn practices, but also reduced disparities between most- and least marginalized populations for such behaviors.
Read MoreThe Economist published an article outlining some of the findings from a working paper that explored some of the best bet interventions for Africa, a collaborative effort by the Copenhagen Consensus Center, The African Academy of Sciences and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Self Help Groups topped the list as the second most cost effective intervention in Africa, second only to family planning.
Read MoreHow are the quality and accessibility of local public goods influenced by grassroots efforts such as SHGs? Desai et al. (2014) explored this question in Rajasthan, India looking at water access and found that women in villages with SHGs were more informed than those in control villages about how to address problems of water supply and deficiency. They were also more likely to contact local authorities regarding their grievances with respect to water service and also reported greater improvements in water access, quality and infrastructure compared to their counterparts in control villages.
Read MoreRaghunathan et al. (2019) examined PRADAN’s SHG program in five states across India to see whether the groups are an effective platform for improving access to information, women’s empowerment in agriculture, agricultural practices, and production diversity. They found that SHG participation does increase women’s access to information and their participation in some agricultural decisions, but has limited impact on agricultural practices or outcomes, possibly due to financial constraints, social norms, and women’s domestic responsibilities.
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