Stri Shakti Groups – A Parallel Force

The Present Study was conducted in the Haveri District of Karnataka State in an attempt to understand the application of self help groups schemes and their impact on the empowerment of women in the study area. Since the researchers are hailing from the rural areas in Haveri district and has better observation with the nature of working environment within the Stri Shakti Self Help Groups in Haveri District. The study which involves the organization performance and problems faced by the Stri Shakti Self Help Groups has been made. Objective of this paper is to explore many questions like are these SHG's is sustainable, are these SHG's benefiting the society, hindrances and accountability of SHG's, are these SHG's helping women to improve their literacy rate etc., Government of Karnataka implemented SSSHG'S in the year 2000-2001 for the furtherance of the social, economical and overall development of the rural women. As on today there are about 17, 82,822 rural women's have been organized through 1,20,000 SSSHG'S in 175 Taluks in Karnataka State. About 69,785 rural women have been organized in 4,447 SSSHG'S in all 7 taluks. The study aimed to examine the organization and the functional aspects of SSSHG'S in the study area. Data has been collected from a total of 500 selected members of the SSSHG'S and 100 SHG's which were organized under the Stri Shakti Scheme of Haveri district. Secondary data has been obtained through books, articles and unpublished thesis. Primary data are collected from the minutes and books of record maintained by the SSSHG'S departmental manuals and circulars etc. Both structural and behavioural approaches have been used for the study through questionnaires addressed to 100 SSSHG'S and 500 members of these groups. The study has revealed some significant findings. There has been drastic improvement in the economic position of each member after the joining SSSHG'S. Besides this their industrial skills, family status, social status, feeling of security has been enhanced.