Economic and Social Impact of Micro-Financing Poor through SHGs

The book extensively examines the socio-economic benefits of micro financing poor through SHGs. The authors observe that SHG formation has led to significant income and asset growth in SHG-member households. Further, it has improved the level of women empowerment. In addition to that there has been noticeable improvement in occupation diversification, economic activities, bank linkages, live stock growth, unforeseen crisis management ability, access to drinking water, electricity, housing condition, improved sanitation etc in the households of SHG members. The socioeconomic gains accruing from SHG formation are largely gender neutral. The authors find no evidences to suggest that Micro financing through SHGs has stronger positive socio economic impact on women than men.