Abstract: Empowerment of nation in a holistic manner is not possible without development of women. Empowerment means increased spiritual, political, social, gender or economic strength of individuals and communities. The role of women has been confined to child rearing and housekeeping having least decision making powers. Women as a weaker section of society have least access to the services launched by the State and Central governments. Historically, women have been worst victims of violence and other social evils and in case of Jammu and Kashmir, their sufferings have further got intensified due to political trauma. Though, there are laws dictating norms of equal opportunity but women folk are given meager chances to get benefited due to restrictions imposed by them at different levels of family, community and society.
Under these circumstances, formalization of Self Help Groups (SHG’s) can prove a viable alternative to seek empowerment of women and of nation in the long run. Formation of Self Help Groups (SHG) is a potent medium that can ensure the all round development of women particularly in rural areas. The impact of Self Help Groups is significant in terms of self-worth like confidence cum capacity building by proving self employment opportunities to meet the financial crisis. It also improves the decision making capacity in terms of various social, political, economic, health and educational affairs and mobilizes women to fight against various types of exploitations against them in family and society at large. The present paper is an attempt to analyze the role of SHG’s in the sustainable development of women in the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
Author: Heena Quadir, Tabasum Hassan,
Title: Empowerment of Women through Self Help Groups in Jammu and Kashmir
International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research and Innovations (IJIRI)
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