Name: RAVIKUMAR K
Country: India

Year: 2026
Volume: Volume-11, Issue-1, January-June 2026
Page Number: 110-119
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19049848

ABSTRACT
Women’s empowerment has become a central concern in contemporary development discourse, particularly in developing countries where gender disparities remain deeply rooted in social and economic structures. In India, rural women often face multiple forms of marginalization such as limited access to education, financial resources, and participation in decision-making processes. Over the past three decades, Self-Help Groups (SHGs) have emerged as a grassroots institutional mechanism that promotes women’s economic participation, collective solidarity, and social empowerment. This study examines the role of Self-Help Groups in facilitating women’s empowerment through the formation of social capital in rural India. The concept of social capital, which refers to networks, trust, cooperation, and shared norms within a community, provides a useful sociological framework to understand the transformative impact of SHGs. Through regular meetings, savings activities, and collective decision-making, SHGs enable rural women to build strong social networks and mutual trust. These networks help women access credit facilities, share information, and collectively address socio-economic challenges. Drawing on secondary data from government reports, academic journals, and development agency publications, this study analyzes the relationship between women’s empowerment and social capital formation within SHGs. Recent statistics indicate that more than 90 million women are currently associated with SHGs under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), demonstrating the significant expansion of this movement in India. Participation in SHGs has contributed to increased financial inclusion, enhanced leadership capacities, and improved social participation among rural women. However, challenges such as unequal access to resources, limited institutional support, and socio-cultural barriers continue to affect the effectiveness of SHGs in certain regions. The study concludes that Self-Help Groups are not merely financial institutions but also important social platforms that strengthen community networks and promote gender equality. Strengthening these grassroots institutions through supportive policies and capacity-building initiatives can further enhance women’s empowerment and contribute to sustainable rural development.

Keywords: Women’s Empowerment, Social Capital, Self-Help Groups, Rural Development, Gender Equality.