Impact of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) on Encouraging Rural Women to Become Entrepreneurs: An Analysis of Mission Shakti Khordha, Odisha

In the rural state of Odisha, women make up over 53.90 percent of the labour force, and over 46.10 percent of them are unemployed. Indeed, allowing women to pursue careers as entrepreneurs will liberate them. The current study focuses on the substantial role that self-help organizations have in encouraging rural women from economically disadvantaged backgrounds to become potential entrepreneurs. The current study is being deliberately carried out in the Odisha district of Khordha in order to make it easier for the researcher to obtain relevant data. Through the use of stratified random sampling, the Self-help Groups were selected. The majority of SHG members were able to obtain supplementary work through various SHG finance-related initiatives. Their income level also rose as a result of additional jobs. Their salary level considerably rose following their participation in group activities. The members all receive an equal share of the income growth. Additionally, SHGs contribute to raising living standards, which enables rural households to invest more in children's education and family health. Encouraging members to participate in social and economic decision-making as members of a family is one of SHGs' greatest accomplishments. Taking into account each of these women's empowerment factors, it can be said that the Khordha district's SHG has contributed significantly to the district's overall socioeconomic success among its rural populace. As a result, initiatives for the group members' sustainability and stability should be taken. Thus, the government and non-governmental organizations may take action to encourage women to form self-help organizations, connect them to banks, and engage in certain profitable ventures for the group's financial benefit.