Microfinance, Self-Help Groups and Women Empowerment: An Impact Study in Rural Parts of Hilly Districts of Kumaon Region in Uttarakhand State Under NRLM Scheme

Microfinance, Self-help groups and Empowerment are three interconnected forces that drives the socio-economic development especially in rural areas.The study is an investigation of impact of microfinance and self-help groups on empowering rural hill women of Kumaon region of Himalayan state Uttarakhand under the Deendayal Antyoday -National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM) scheme.Adopting the qualitative and quantitative data this research aims that how the self-help group participation of women make influence on their income, saving, expenditure, asset making, access to credit and entrepreneurial activities.The study includes a sample of 300 respondents from 100 self-help groups to find the impact of scheme in women's life and livelihood so that they can get economically empowered, which leads path to overall empowerment.Finally, the study also offers valuable recommendations to enhance the economic empowerment of the women in study area.Both primary and secondary sources are adopted for the study to make it meaningful.