The Contribution of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in the Socio-Economic Empowerment of Women: A Case Study in Jimma Town Administrative

Abstract

This study focused on women empowerment through SHG. The study emphasizes on the Contribution of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in the Socio-Economic Empowerment of Women in Jimma town administrative .The study focus on empower,,ig of women on the belief that they have been out tasted from the issue of development and destined to lead miserable life condition due to social as well as economic factors. This study assessed the contribution of SHG in Jimma town in empowering women. As the objective of the study is to identifr the empowering role of SHG on women, it is descriptive. The nature of the study required using both a quantitative as well as qualitative data collection techniques. Questionnaire, Structured and semi-structured Interview method, and focused group discussion were used Both primary and secondary data collection instrument were used. The quantitative methods employed in this study were simple statistics expressed in frequencies and percentages. The findings of this study the SHG project have so many advantages for the women's. Economic security, loan can be obtained easily, get special recognition in the family, get special recognition in the village, help and cooperation from other members, increased boldness and can take their own decisions and stand on their own feet this advantages has been recorded by majority of the respondents. The SHG project provides many income generation activities for the women's. Majority of the respondents reported that after joining the SHG project they get many skill development trainings and the training provide them with a better working ability and success. The women's tailed that the project provides them with a life changing experience. Change on social and economic status after joining SHG project education, access to credit sources, asset building, family income and skill development all reported by all of the respondents. There were some constraints that affect the role of SHG project in empowering women. The problems faced by SHG members were lack of formal education, lack of training, lack of social mobility because of restrictions in the family, insufficient loans, and unskilled women group members as their major problems. The main challenge of the project were other NGOs working on the same project in Jimma town and the SHG approach is a new idea for the women's so they was resisting to participate at first. To alleviate the constraints training opportunity, loan access, favorable working environment and collaboration between governmental and non-governmental organization in their work should be arranged to the beneficiaries.