THE VITALITY AND ROLE OF SELF HELP GROUPS (SHGS) IN WOMEN UPLIFTMENT: SPECIAL REFERENCE TO KASHMIR

Abstract [English]

The prosperity and the stability of a family incomplete until a woman are not empowered. Empowerment means the raising of spiritual, political, social, gender or economic strength of individuals and communities, if a women is educated she can then rightly participate, organize, make others aware of the various programmes which is necessary for the upliftment of women. The women can understand and better coordinate with other women. The women folk especially belonging to rural areas had developed myth that they are dependent on males for their survival and are themselves unable to earn their bread. A Woman has been always the victim of discrimination and is given secondary importance in the society. They are unable to express themselves to outsiders because of restrictions imposed on them. This deteriorating condition of women is because of their unemployment, low status, least decisions making power, lack in education and awareness about the laws of both sexes. These problems have been somewhat rectified by many Self Help Groups (SHGs) operating in Jammu and Kashmir. This organization can train the women for various skill development programmes thus can assist. Women in standing on their feet and also in the assessments of their potential. Although government under its various schemes and projects has been trying to facilitate the economic empowerment of women belonging to lower economic strata, but has not attained much success.

Under these circumstances the need of empowering of women through different schemes and projects is in need of and the formation of Self Help Groups (SHGs) is one of the ways to tackle the situation. It can act as a potent medium that can ensure the all-round development of women particularly rural areas. Women can get rid of financial problems as this group gives them access to various agencies and banks from which they can lend a loan to start their business or their work etc. The present paper is an attempt to showcase the role, vitality of Self Help Groups (SHGs) in the sustainable development of women in the state of Jammu and Kashmir where the women folk is mostly victimized by severe and bad conditions.