Economic and Social Outcomes of Women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in Gujarat, India: Catalysts for Inclusive Rural Development

Author(s)	Dr. Ashvinkumar A. Patel
Country	India
Abstract	This study examines the economic and social outcomes of women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in Gujarat, India, with a focus on their contributions to inclusive rural development. Drawing on data from over 50,000 SHGs engaging more than one million women statewide, the research evaluates SHG-driven gains in financial inclusion, entrepreneurship, and collective economic activity—particularly in agriculture, dairy, and handicrafts. Key interventions, such as the Gujarat Livelihood Promotion Company and the Sahajeevan Project, have facilitated enhanced access to microcredit, skill training, and market linkages, leading to increased household income, savings, and economic empowerment for participants. In this research study, data were collected from 4 districts of South Gujarat (Tribal Dominant District). The analysis also highlights persistent challenges, including limited financial literacy, market constraints, infrastructure deficits, and cultural barriers, which can impede the scalability and sustainability of the SHG model.
Keywords	Women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Inclusive rural development, Financial inclusion, Microcredit access
Published In	Volume 7, Issue 6, November-December 2025
Published On	2025-11-15
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2025.v07i06.60712

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