Penetration of Self-Help Groups in Rural Areas: Socio-Cultural Barriers and Developmental Participation
Introduction Self-Help Groups (SHGs) have emerged as one of the most significant grassroots institutions for promoting participatory development in rural India. By organizing poor households—particularly women—into small, informal collectives, SHGs aim to enhance financial inclusion, livelihood opportunities, social empowerment, and community participation in development programmes. Over the past three decades, SHGs have been integrated into…