Self-help Groups and Women’s Financial Empowerment: an Empirical Investigation with Special Reference to Wayanad District, Kerala

Thamarai Selvi K; Femi Mariya Johncy; Manikandan A

Self-help Groups and Women’s Financial Empowerment: an Empirical Investigation with Special Reference to Wayanad District, Kerala

Author(s)	Dr. Thamarai Selvi K, Ms. Femi Mariya Johncy, Mr. Manikandan A
Country	India
Abstract	Women’s financial empowerment stands as a primary factor for achieving financial inclusion and sustainable development, especially in India’s rural economic development. Self-Help Groups (SHGs) have become a significant foundation for improving women’s financial capability, especially among the rural populations. By bringing facilitating access to credit, regular saving system and encouraging collective participation, Self Help Groups (SHGs) provide opportunities for women to engage more actively in financial activities and decision-making processes. Aim/Purpose: The purpose of the study is to practically assess the role of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in improving financial empowerment of women and to identify the key factors that shape this empowerment. Design/Methodology: The research design of analytical and descriptive method was applied for the study where Primary data was collected from 120 women SHG members using a structured questionnaire through convenience sampling method. Demographic profile for age, occupation and income of SHG members was analysed using descriptive statistics and factor analysis, supported by Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin measure, Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity, and a rotated component matrix, was employed to identify the hidden empowerment factors. Findings: The analysis reveals that women’s participation in SHG initiatives strengthens their financial awareness, increases confidence in financial decision-making, and improves control over income. Factor analysis explained underlying factors of financial empowerment, specifically related to participatory engagement and economic control within groups and households. Originality/Value: The study suggest practical insights into the complex nature of women’s financial empowerment through SHGs and provides useful evidence for policy making for policy makers and implementation of community-based development initiatives.
Keywords	Self-Help Groups, Financial Empowerment, Women, Microfinance, Empirical Analysis, Economic development, Inclusion.
Field	Sociology > Economics
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 3, May-June 2026
Published On	2026-06-14

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Self-help Groups and Women’s Financial Empowerment: an Empirical Investigation with Special Reference to Wayanad District, Kerala

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