‘Empowerment is generally defined as the ‘expansion of person's ability to make choice, which was previously denied’ (Kabeer N., 2001, p. 19). ‘Perception of freedom is essential for control over choice of individual well-being and agency is needed to pursue goals their own goals (Kabeer N. , 2001, p. 21)’.‘Empowerment, in its most general sense, refers to the abilityof people to gain understanding and control over personal, social,economic and political forces in order to take action to improvetheir life situations’ (Israel, 1994, pp. 149-170).

‘Elements of Empowerment process[i]

1. Attitudes, beliefs and values. This refers to the psychological aspects of empowerment. It covers self-sufficiency and belief in self-worth. It is concentrated either on individuals or groups.

2. Validation through collective experience. Sharing common experiences can avoid misinterpreting individual experiences and help put these experiences into perspective, alleviating loneliness and isolation. The collective experience can motivate a group to pursue changes that go beyond the individual.

3. Knowledge and skills for critical thinking. The ability to access and acquire information is an important element of empowerment. This can enable individuals to analyze their situation independently and critically, reducing self-blame and feelings of helplessness.

4. Action. Through empowerment individuals can develop plans for action to solve a problem. They can develop strategies and behavioral patterns that might help them in future challenges. An increased ability to co-operate with others is another possible outcome’.

These elements of empowerment process describe it as a shift from a state of subjugation towards a state of solidity over decision making, standard of life and participation. The entire processes of empowerment focus on the dimensions of an individual i.e. social condition/status; to bring change in a desired direction of an individual his/her feelings, capacities, and well-being.

‘Mitchel Foucault describes thatthere is not just one dominant power but multiple “powers”, as diffuse as a “constellation of stars”. Thus, while male domination expresses men’s power over women, women, for their part, also exert an often indirect and invisible power over men’ (Baden, 1997, p. 8)

‘Empowerment can therefore be considered as the process to acquire “power” individually and collectively. Among individuals or a community, it designates first and foremost the ability to act independently, but also the means needed and the process of being able to act and make one’s own decisions regarding life and society.

Empowerment is thus seen as a process, a dynamic two-pronged construction of identity, both individual and collective’(Caubergs, 2007, p. 9).The approach towards power has been highlighted by several developmental, bilateral organizations thatfragment, process of empowermentinto four levels which are as follows:

Power over:

This power involves a mutually exclusive relationship of domination or subordination. It assumes that power exists only in limited quantity. This power is exerted over someone or, less negatively, allows “someone to be guided”. It triggers either passive or active resistance.

Power to:

A power which includes the ability to make decisions, have authority, and find solutions to problems, and which can be creative and enabling. The notion therefore refers to intellectual abilities (knowledge and know-how) as well as economic means, i.e. to the ability to access and control means of production and benefit (the notion of assets).

Power with:

Social or political power which highlights the notion of common purpose or understanding, as well as the ability to get together to negotiate and defend a common goal (individual and collective rights, political ideas such as lobbying, etc.).

Power within:

This notion of power refers to self-awareness, self-esteem, identity and assertiveness (knowing how to be). It refers to how individuals, through self-analysis and internal power, can influence their lives and makeschanges’ (Caubergs, 2007, p. 12).

Conceptual frameworks on Empowerment-WomenEmpowerment:

J. Rappaport offers a broad-based definition of the term empowerment;

"(Empowerment) suggests a sense of control over one's life in personality, cognition, and motivation. It expresses itself at the level of feelings, at the level of ideas about self-worth, at the level of being able to make a difference in the world around us... We all have it as a potential." (Rappaport, J.: The power of empowerment language, Social Policy, 15, 1985. p. 15-21).

‘Gutierrez adapted this definition and tried to clarify it by adding four necessary changes which have to be seen in a person before he/she can be described as "successfully empowered" - an increased self-sufficiency, a developed group consciousness, a reduction of self-blame in the face of problems and the ability to assume personal responsibility for change. That is, not relying on other people to help out, but trying to take matters in one's own hands and pursuing a change to the better’[ii]

"A process whereby the social worker engages in a set of activities with the client that aims to reduce the powerlessness that has been created by negative valuations based on member-ship in a stigmatized group. It involves identification of the power blocks that contribute to the problem as well as the development and implementation of specific strategies aimed at either the reduction of the effects from indirect power blocks or the reduction of the operations of direct power blocks." (Solomon, B.: Black Empowerment: Social Work in Oppressed Communities, New York 1976.)

‘Power is a key concept for an understanding of processes of empowerment. The theory of empowerment that will be developed further on will draw its inspiration from an integration of two domains: from an understanding of theories of power and the use of insights drawn from these for the purposes of developing a theory of empowerment, and from an analysis of processes of empowerment’

Empowerment can be distinct as a progression which can be;

1. Individual Empowerment:In which the attainment of individuality and ability for self- determination, as well asmeans to allow individuals to widen their prospects.

2. Collective Empowerment:Through this process of empowerment capability of a group to effect social change is increased andit move towards a just and equivalentsociety, specifically in terms of men and women.

If we see the process of empowerment it is not new in the world it can be traced 1960s specifically in Afro-American movement. Theoretically, Paulo Freire defined empowerment in his theory based on the development of critical conscience which is as follows;

‘Knowledge is not neutral; it is the expression of historical momentswhere some groups exercise dominant power over others.Oppressed groups of individuals often experience life as “objects”being acted upon rather than “subjects” of their own lives. “Objects” often lack certain critical skills essential for influencing theinstitutions that have control over their lives.‘Subjects” not only have skills for influencing institutions, but alsohave the opportunity to exercise these skills’[iii]

Later in 80s popular women’s movements in Latin America and the Caribbean as well as feminist movements have accepted the conception of empowerment as being knotted, to the clutching of control, by underliningthe development of self-esteem and self-confidence as well as the capacity to decide the way of an individual, it also focused on collective power to change gender relations in the economic, political, legal and socio-cultural spheres of the society.‘Radicaland Marxist approaches which focus on social change, this isan approach that focuses on the individual. Empowermentis indeed an idealistic approach, but this is a practical andrational idealism which can be implemented’ (Sadan, 2002, p. 112).In developmental perspective the discourse of empowerment has come into existence in 1995 after Beijing Conference;‘The Beijing Declaration (section 13), presents women’s empowerment as a key strategy for development:

“Women’s empowerment and their full participation on the basis of equality in all spheres of society, including participation in the decision-making process and access to power, are fundamental for the achievement of equality, development and peace’[iv]‘The World Bank has identified empowerment as one of the key constituent elements of poverty reduction, and as a primary development assistance goal. The World Bank has also made gender mainstreaming a priority in development assistance, and is in the process of implementing an ambitious strategy to this effect.

The promotion of women’s empowerment as a development goal is based on a dual argument: that social justice is an important aspect of human welfare and is intrinsically worth pursuing; and that women’s empowerment is a means to other ends. A recent policy research report by the World Bank for example, identifies gender equality both as development objectives in itself, and as a means to promote growth, reduces poverty and promote better governance’(Anju Malhotra, 2002).The approaches given by developmental agencies are not able to address the component of empowerment holistically because the approaches are quantitative in nature and inclined towards the reduction of capacity of women, to take individual responsibility by their own.‘Women’s empowerment was argued for asan end in itself, it tended to be heard in policy circles as a ‘zero-sum’ gamewith politically weak winners and powerful losers’(Kabeer A. S., 2001, p. 19).‘A woman’s level of empowerment will vary, sometimes enormously, according to other criteria such as her class or caste, ethnicity, relative wealth, age, family position etc. and any analysis of women’s power or lack of it must appreciate these other contributory dimensions. Nevertheless, focusing on the empowerment of women as a group requires an analysis of gender relations i.e. the ways in which power relations between the sexes are constructed and maintained,[v]

‘Women's empowerment has five components:

Women's sense of self-worth; their right to have andto determine choices; their right to have access to opportunitiesand resources; their right to have the power to control their ownlives, both within and outside the home; and their ability toinfluence the direction of social change to create a more justsocial and economic order, nationally and internationally’[vi]

Historically it is widespread that different traits, roles, responsibilities and characteristics between men and women in society regulated by different social institutions are determined by their gender which is acceptable and not changeable in society and it is because of their biological differences which make women, accountable for their secondary status in society. And this phenomenology existing naturally which highlight the issues of gender discrimination, exploitation, inequalities and injustice in the society regulated by norms and values. Frameworks related to gender highlight that sex and gender are synonymous but different because each and every individual born as a male and female which can be identified easily looking towards the genital parts. In socio-cultural context the phenomenon related to male and female is entirely different as per their roles, responsibilities, duties, retorts and manifestations in different society’s entire the globe. In India, gradually the societal process alters this gender (i.e. male/female) into man and women on the basis of their masculinity and femininity which determined through patriarchy, this only differentiate it entirely in behavior patterns, identities which are historically, socially and culturally imbibed the structure of social system. Women empowerment focused on to change the structure of dominationmale-controlled society, which also redistributes the power in terms of gender relations.

Women empowerment in post-independence Era:

The democratic process in India created the awareness among the women and empowered these providing safeguards. The principle of gender equality is enshrined in the Indian Constitution, in its Preamble, in Fundamental Rights, and Directive Principles. The Constitution not only grants equality to women, but also empowers the State to adopt measures of positive discrimination in favor of women. The Indian Government has passed various legislations to safeguard Constitutional Rights to women. These legislative measures include, the Hindu Marriage Act (1955), the Hindu Succession Act (1956), Dowry Prohibition Act (1961), Medical termination of pregnancy Act (1971), Equal Remuneration Act (1976), Child marriage Restraint Act (1976), Immoral Trafficking (Prevention) Act (1986), Pre-Natal Diagnostic Technique (Regulation and Prevention of Measure) Act (1994), Protection of women from Domestic violence Act (2005) etc.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To study the role of Self Help Groups and Micro-Credit in Women Empowerment.

2. To study the role of Self Help Groups in financial inclusionamong women in Village.

Community/SHGs Profile:

The village Turkadih located in the district of Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh. The mainstay occupation of the villagers in the target area is agriculture (Vegetable Farming).Total 206 households having population of 2000people (as per District panchayat list). Male constitutes 60 percent and female constitute 40 percent population.

Additionally, the other reliance on Unorganized Labour work, Poultry and Fishing. Caste-wise Population distribution is as follows; SCs: 25/ STs: 00/ OBCs: 70/UR: 05 percent.Total no. of SHGs is five registered under District Panchayat Bilaspur and having linkage with Rural Bank Sendri Road Bilaspur.

Each SHG constitute 12 members which is homogenous in nature based occupation in members associated (i.e. Poultry, Fishing etc.). Every SHG have formal structure having, President, Secretary and Treasurer. The meeting is arranged twice in a month and training provided by ADO of district panchayat Bilaspur. Micro-credit facility is available in every Self Help Group through District Panchayat and Rural Bank.

METHODOLOGY:

Case Study design employed for this study.Probability; Simple Random Sampling was used to select the respondent from SHGs and 30 members from 5 SHGs have been selected as a sample. Interviews and Focused group discussion is used to collect information.

SHGs, Microcredit and Empowerment of Rural Women:

Pre and Post-independence various efforts have been made towards rural development. Integration of approaches, sectoral planning, and bottom to top approach are the continuous process towards improving the socio-economic transaction of rural poor and alleviating rural poverty. In this process holistic approach ensuring equity and effective people’s participation highlighting the gender perspective. SHGs and PRIs have played vital role in rural development. SHG is a people’s scheme and its organization is a significant step towards empowering women. SHGs gain importance from the human resource development pointof view because self-help group approach is emerging as a new medium that effectively promoting well-being of the poor, especially rural women.

Socio-economic and political dimension of development paradigm is inadequate without developing the human resource of a community it is possible through promoting well-being. Empirical evidence shows that process of empowerment is missed component through SHGs formation if wellbeing indicators like health, education, housing, infrastructure and sustainable rural livelihood have not taken into consideration.Evidence shows that women occupy a lower status and are subjected to exploitation and discrimination. Even decade passed still majority of women lack assets that are needed for their freedom, empowerment and well-being. Empowerment as mentioned above can take place at different levels, in the empowerment process SHGs play an effective role in women empowerment.

The inception of group formation can be traced since 60s the process of group formation was based on the common/ vested interest/ situation which is faced by social groups/ communities/ individuals drifted into a problem i.e. oppression/ subjugation/ exploitation based on various social/ economical/ political frameworks (Religion/ Caste/ Marriage/ Gender).Features of SHGs are based Self-Help movement which consists of various frameworks of functioning because Self-Help movement has flourished just past two decades of emergence of Community Development as a discipline in late 1980s which dividends the concept of empowerment.

Self-Help group is self-governed, organized small and informal association of poor, generally from homogeneous socio-economic groups who organized themselves from saving and credit activities for their economic empowerment.Flow of funds generates through various income generation activities based on the nature, feature, aim and area of SHGs and regular savings done by office bearers of the group. SHGs are neither charity group nor based on community based groups. They are formed by the people affected and they do not associate voluntarily. Though the work done/activities carried out by group members are unpaid but income generating and as per their roles, responsibilities each member perform their duty mutually.

‘Concept of Self-Help Groups

•It is a homogeneous group of rural poor women.

•It is a formal or informal group.

•Not more than 20 members.

•Democratic functioning.

•It has bye-laws.

•Regular (weekly) meetings are conducted.

•It promotes small savings among members.

The savings are utilized lending to the members for their emergency needs’ (Meenai, 2002, p. 66).Self-help groups build on the strengths of their members for promotion of their well-being. Emergence of SHGs initiated in 1975 at Bangladesh by Mohammed Yunus. In the 80s a grave effort by Government of India to endorse an apex bank to take care of the monetary needs of the poor, informal sector and rural areas women. Afterwards NABARD took paces period and initiated a search for alternative methods to fulfill the financial needs to alleviate rural poverty and informal sector. NABARD initiated in 1986-87, but the real effort was taken after 1991-92 from the linkage of SHGs with the banks.

The pilot project started in 1992 has turned into a national movement, linking more than one million SHGs with bank credit. Micro Credit, being part of Financial Inclusion, has been defined as the provision of thrift, credit and other financial services and products of very small amount to the poor in rural, semi-urban and urban areas for enabling them to raise their income e levels and improve their living standards. Micro Credit Institutions are those, which provide these facilities. ‘Micro credit can help the poor to increase income, build viable businesses, and reduce their vulnerability to external shocks. Micro credit has distinct principle, which distinguished it from overall financing or credit. Micro credit underlines constructing capability of a micro-entrepreneur on beginning and during tough times.

Micro credit is an instrument for socioeconomic development. Recent research has revealed the extent to which individuals living around the poverty line are vulnerable to shocks such as the illness of a wage earner, weather, theft, or other such events. During the last decade India has been experiencing an emergence of an increasing number of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) as an alternative to institutional credit for the poor’(K.T.Kalaiselvi, 2008, p. 3). Empirical evidence shows that women occupy a lower status and are subjected to exploitation and discrimination. Even decade passed still majority of women lack assets that are needed for their freedom, empowerment and well-being. ‘Despite of development of women at the national level, regional disparities like inequality still prevail in the society among social groups (SCs/STs) and communities across the region’(Jodhka 2014, 29).

Even the “programs aimed at raising general or average well-being do not improve the situation of the least well-off, unless they go to work directly to improve the quality of those people’s lives” (Nussbaum 2001, 56).SHGs emerge to create a mechanism to bridge the gaps of poverty, inequality, illiteracy, gender relations and remoteness.

People took own initiatives through self-help to overcome the barriers that hinder towards achieving their well-being. Self-help is also associated with what Sen’s term’s ‘agency’ and ‘well-being’ freedoms. Well-being freedom is linked with person achievement and the opportunity is conceptualized by action and activities the people engage (Sen, 1987, pp. 58-59).Through facilitating women not only by enhancing capabilities, but also make uses their capacities more efficiently that enable their life to flourish towards their well-being. Thus self-help group has enough potential for creating capacity building and hope amongst poor that efficiently contributing to their well-being. With the State’s withdrawal, the market fails and non-governmental organization (NGO) became inefficient, the poor are usually left to cope with their poverty. Poverty ridden individual moves through a phase of a state of insecurity, low self-confidence, powerlessness and vulnerability throughout the life span unless they are not facilitated. These multidimensional effects of poverty are coupled with the wide spread of inequalities in social, economic, political and environmental spheres (Drèze and Sen, 2002, p. 13).

As a result wellbeing of an individual is hampered and they have limited access to other assets, income, health, shelter, education, nutrition and entitlement over constitutional rights (World Bank 2000-2001). When these risk profiles hinder them to realize their capability which directly as well as indirectly affect poor well-being. 70 % of the population continue to be rural (Jodhka 2014, 28) and among them majority lives below poverty line (BPL). Even though there is increase in rural income, still a large number of populations lagging behind (Jodhka, 2014, p. 29). It is well known that rural poverty is far behind in many dimensions as encompassing not only low income but also landlessness, low achievement of education, poor health, no housing and lack of other facilities (Moodie, 2008, p. 455). It is no coincidence that these broad ranges of risk profile directly affect social and economic wellbeing of their rural household. It means that poor people struggle daily to survive for their livelihood (Drèze and Sen 2002, Moodie 2008).Apart from this when these risk profiles combined together they drag poor into a downward spiral of misery (Kapoor and Ojha, 2006, pp. 67-68). On this ground SHGsare emerging as hope for the poor’s that brought deprived, marginalized up-ward from get rid of poverty. The discourse on quality life and well-being of an individual in society depend on various aspects. Indian well-being index in a broader way cover all aspects of wellness. That includes home amenities, kitchen facilities, education, health, entertainment, communication, transportation and hygiene.

Fig. 01; Source: NSSO Well-Being Index

The nature of change being experienced, even there is improvement in dimension of well-being, poverty figure in rural India declined at national level, still improvement is needed across the region where not much change is observed’(Jodhka, 2014, p. 29). It has been observed that whatever specific elements adopted, any one or more then one element that seeks to address the promotion of well-being has the potential to transform efforts to meet women’s needs developing sense of self-sufficiency over their life decisions. ‘Women’s strategic gender interests require that their priorities are met in ways that empower them rather than reinforce their dependence’(Kabeer N. , 2001 cited in Meenai. 2002 p. 76).

India’s NSSO Index broad range of indicator essential for human wellbeing, still there is a wide range of wellbeing indicator are absent that encompasses from range of rights, personal freedom, equality, participation, good social relation and various other indicators. ‘Although numerous legislation guarantees women equality with men, they are still being discriminated in terms of property rights, wages and political representation and even in excess of basic services such as education, health care and nutrition’. Evidence suggests that gender disparities between men and women in power and resources, act to undermine economic growth and reduce the well-being of women.

In rural villages stark reality is much worse for women; they have to face daily challenges for livelihood and certainly a feminization of responsibility (Chant, 2007, pp. 31-77). Even though there is improvement of wellbeing indicators in many parts of the country, but many of them are deserted where health, education and basic infrastructure are concentrated among socially excluded communities.

As a result, over time there has been an increasing focus on developing gender sensitive and gender inclusive strategies and programs. The objective is effective development outcomes for the empowerment of the disadvantaged sections of the society; Self Help Groups (SHGs) urge poor to collective initiate self-help development which enhances individual and collective well-being and overall enhanced livelihood (see fig. 02).

Fig. 02; Conceptual Diagram: SHGs Role in Promoting well-being and sustainable livelihood among Women.

Empowerment is generally defined as the ‘expansion of person's ability to make choice, which was previously denied” (Kabeer N., Discussing Women's Empowerment- Theory and Practice, 2001, p. 19). Perception of freedom is essential for control over choice of individual well-being and agency is needed to pursue goals their own goals (Ibrahim, 2006, p. 400; Kabeer N., Discussing Women's Empowerment- Theory and Practice, 2001, p. 21). Thus SHG has a positive impact on well-being through diverse mechanisms of women empowerment through different dimension such as resource, agency and achievement.

Fig. 03; Dimension of Empowerment’ (Kabeer N. , Discussing Women's Empowerment- Theory and Practice, 2001)

Contribution of SHGs for the socioeconomic development of poor women to achieve permanent improvements in their individual and communal well-beings in particular and society as a whole. SHGs along with micro credit plays vital role in empowering women, indicating their economic well-being.

MAJOR FINDINGS, ANALYSIS AND CONCLUSION:

77.0 percent of respondents are in the age groups between 30-40 years while 23.0 percent are less than 20 years, and 78 percent respondents have joint family consist 7-8 members and 22 percent have nuclear family consist 4-5 members. Approximately 72 percent of respondents have joined SHGs for getting loan so they can built their pucca house/toilets and send their children schools and contribute in their domestic expediture, 27.66 percent to promote savings ,social status their decision making power in the family. 28.0percent of respondents have taken loan for personal use, 41 percent for agricultural development, 21percent for develop entrepreneurship individually, 10.0percent for medical purpose and entertainment. Monthly income of majority of respondents 98 percent has increased after joining SHGs. Savings of sample respondents have gone up after they became members of SHGs and they have sustained their livelihood and contributing in the family. All respondents said that their decision making power/status quo is increased after joining SHGs in family and society. All respondents strongly that they always come together for the purpose of solving their common problems through self-help and mutual help.

Micro-credit also countered mutually the deficiency of women access to formal banks and the very high rates of credit claimed by local moneylenders.SHGs enhancing wellbeing of women through strengthening their capability and overcoming economic freedom(Galab & Rao, 2003, p. 1279)thereby triggers the process of empowerment. Another characteristic of well-being argue that SHG has heterogeneous impact. However, there is variation with regard to improvement in access and/or control over different aspects of dimension of improvement.

Highest improvement in the dimension of well-being is seen in their mobility, breaking conservative patriarchal gender norms, political empowerment within and outside household, fair control over their reproductive rights and body rights (freedom from violence), property rights, ability to raise voice against social evils (like dowry, alcohol) and many more (Galab and Rao, 2003, p. 1281). More specifically, “SHG offers the canvas to conduct social intimidation, which would, in turn, provide women the opportunity to acquire the ability and entitlement to control their own lives, set their own agenda, gain skills, solve problems and develop autonomy”(Meenai, p. 72).

Women empowerment through SHGs and micro-credit in rural area has attained a substantial level. The income of the women has increased after joining the SHGs. The situation of women has also risen to a considerable level in the society. The good practice of the women SHGs in developing well-being is drifting towards welfare-empowerment-development. In this way SHGs and micro-credit in rural poverty alleviation is very successful to empower in rural areas. SHGs can deliver a compact basis well-off society. Such grass-root level people’s organizations can ensure, development, improved quality life for the future. The SHGs can assume the responsibility of development for their family and sustain the growth of an individual. To sustain awareness among women in ongoing improvement and initiating wellness through SHG, the long term goal of promoting sustainable livelihood and better quality of life. Saving and micro-credit activities are helpful in enforcing regular participation of the members in the group meetings and micro-credit activity in isolation may not be able to generate substantial employment and income for poor families. Therefore the SHGs formed either for introducing numerous profits generating activities.