Himadri Boruah
Volume-XIII, Issue-IV, July 2025
Volume-XIII, Issue-IV, July 2025 | ||
Received: 28.05.2025 | Accepted: 27.06.2025 | |||
Published Online: 31.07.2025 | Page No: 133-145 | |||
DOI: 10.64031/pratidhwanitheecho.vol.13.issue.04W.014 | ||||
Self-Help Groups and the Multidimensional Empowerment of Moran Community Women in Assam: A Comprehensive Study Himadri Boruah, Research Scholar, Dept. of Economics, Arunachal University of Studies, Arunachal, India Prof. Basistha Chatterjee, Professor, Dept. of Agriculture Economics, Arunachal University of Studies, Arunachal, India | |
In the Moran community in Tinsukia District, Assam, this study looks at how Self-Help Groups (SHGs) have transformed women's empowerment. These grassroots organisations have evolved into pivotal catalysts for socioeconomic progress, particularly among disadvantaged populations where conventional development strategies have proven ineffective. Employing a comprehensive mixed-methodology framework, this study engaged 300 female SHG participants to evaluate transformations across various empowerment dimensions, encompassing physical mobility, community engagement, occupational dynamics, asset management, and domestic decision-making authority. The International Fund for Agricultural Development's (IFAD) analytical framework served as the methodological basis for calculating indicators of empowerment. Findings reveal significant positive transformations, with more than three-quarters of respondents documenting enhanced personal confidence, improved financial autonomy, and strengthened participation in family decisions. Interestingly, 80% of participants reported fewer domestic disputes. The statistical significance employed by the Empowerment Both the subject-take and Friedman tests indicated a significant (p < 0.001) difference between the power structures of the target dimensions, with the transition at work having the highest average rank (2.88). Paired with domestic agency and decision-making power (2.69). Chi-square analysis confirmed an inflated leap from excluded to consulted on family decisions post. SHG participation. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of community-level women's groups in promoting multifaceted empowerment, with significant implications for development theorists and practitioners work ing in similar social and economic contexts. | |
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