NGJI, An International Peer-Reviewed Journal NGSI-BHU, ISSN: 0027-9374/2020/1738 Vol. 66, No. 2, June 2020

Socio-Economic Status of Rural Women of Self Help Groups: A Study of and Polba-Dadpur Blocks of , W.B.

Saheli Kumar1 and Kaushalendra Prakash Goswami2 1Research Scholar, Department of Geography, Institute of Science, B.H.U. Varanasi 2Associate Professor, Department of Geography, Institute of Science, B.H.U. Varanasi (Corresponding author's email: [email protected])

Abstract Nowadays Self-Help Group or SHG plays a vital role not only in social transformation and upliftment of rural women but also in social-economic betterment of them. The main objective of this paper is to examine the impact assessment in the socio-economic status of rural women through Self Help Groups with the help of a micro-level study of two C. D. blocks namely Dhaniakhali and Polba-Dadpur in Hooghly district. 40572 SHGs are consisting of 394897 members in 18 C. D. blocks of Hooghly district. Among the blocks, Daniakhali and Polba-Dadpur were selected for the study, of which 28 groups are chosen randomly. From these selected groups 108 members have been selected to conduct the primary survey. Personal interviews were conducted to find out the major purposes of the study i.e. to examine the role of SHG in developing the socio-economic status of rural women and to analyse the impact of SHGs in decision making. The study is mainly based on primary data and simple per cent calculation is used for analysing the data. The major analytical tool employed for the study is tabular analysis to facilitate easy interpretation. Map of the study area is prepared through ArcGIS 10.5 software. The present study explains a detailed socio-economic profile of the SHG members in the study area. Keywords: self-help group, women empowerment, SHG movement, decision making, socio-economic development Introduction

The prosperity and stability of a family are increase the economic growth and for a better incomplete until a woman is not empowered. standard of living. Women's participation in the Women constitute around fifty per cent of the revolutionary movement (Mehta, 2004) was total human resources in our economy. Still, significant even when they were deprived of women are more under-privileged than men as basic human rights in the men's world. The they are subject to many socio-economic and preamble to the Constitution of promises cultural constraints. The situation is more full equality to all citizens in all respects. severe in the rural and backward areas. Women's development saw a reflection in the Therefore women development activities must Indian constitution wherein laws were enacted be given importance to eradicate poverty, to eradicate the social evil of inequality five- Socio-Economic Status of Rural Women of Self Help Groups ... 165 year plans and voluntary actions by women, background.SHG is a concept based on the state-sponsored programmes like rural Mahila homogeneity, mutual support, group approach Mandals and local self-government, and regular savings. It serves the principle “by participation in social and women's welfare the women, of the women and for the women” programmes through voluntary actions and (Chandra, 1997). At present-day Self Help finally the demand for reservation in political Groups (SHGs) become an important strategy institutions (Pandey,2002). Self-help groups for empowering women and to alleviate (SHGs) play today a major role in alleviating poverty. SHG movement in India has emerged poverty in rural areas. Rapid progress in SHG as the world's largest and most successful f o r m a t i o n h a s n o w t u r n e d i n t o a n network of Community-Based Organisations empowerment movement among women (CBOs). The objective of the study is to assess across the country (Biswas, 2007). It is reported the socio-economic status of rural SHG that the SHGs have a role in accelerating members. Reasons for joining SHG and country's economic development. They also impacts of SHGs on the socio-economic status help to elevate the economic status of their of its members are also analysed. families. Consequently, the participation of The study area women in the country's economic development Dhaniakhali (also spelt Dhanekhali) is a is increasing. This has led to boost the process community development block that forms an of women's Empowerment. Simply getting administrative division in Chinsurah cash into their hands (by way of working subdivision of Hooghly district. The place has capital) can lead to increased self-esteem, lent its name to the tant (handloom) sari it control and empowerment by helping them produces. The block is well established as a rich achieve greater economic independence and zone both in agriculture and industry in West security, which gives them the chance to Bengal. The Dhaniakhali CD Block is also a contribute financially to their households and part of the Hooghly-Damodar Plain. The region communities because women “tend to keep has many depressions which receive water nothing back for themselves they contribute from the surrounding lands during the rainy decisively to the well-being of their season and discharge the water through small families”(Susy Cheston and Lisa Kuhn, channels. Dhanekhali is located at 22°58′N 2002).In such a way, by mobilizing women 88°06′E. It is located 36 km from Chinsurah, around thrift and credit activities SHG has the district headquarters. Dhaniakhali CD developed economic self- reliance and Block has an area of 275.68 sq. km. As per 2011 changing their social attitude and status in the Census of India Dhaniakhali, CD Block had a family and society. Thus.SHG has emerged as a total population of 320,534. key programming strategy for most of the Data sources and methodology women development activities. Vinaya Personal interviews were conducted to find Gamoorthy (2007) noted that the self-help out the impact assessment in the socio- group members' saving habit is increased economic status of rural women through Self through SHG. Mainly, members of the SHGs Help Groups. The study is mainly based on are women. The SHG promotes small savings primary data but to establish the relevance of among its members. Self-Help Group (SHG) is the study some secondary data from various a small voluntary association of poor people, published and unpublished records, books, preferably from the same socio-economic journals also have been applied. The survey 166 Saheli Kumar and Kaushalendra Prakash Goswami

Figure 1: Location of the study area took place in two C. D. Blocks namely Polba- approached from two C. D. Blocks by Dadpur and Dhaniakhali blocks of Hooghly structured interview schedule. The major district of in November to analytical tool employed for the study is tabular December 2019. As the language spoken in analysis to facilitate easy interpretation with West Bengal is Bengali, therefore the entire the help of simple percentage method. Map of interviews were mostly conducted in Bengali the study area is prepared through ArcGIS 10.5 language and then translated in English. In the software. beginning, from each block with the help of Results and discussion random sampling first few respondents were SHG movement chosen then they were asked to recruit other Though the origin of Self Help Groups respondents as a referral of snowball sampling (SHGs) is the brainchild of Grameen Bank of technique for quick identification of SHG Bangladesh, founded by Prof. Mohammed members. In such a way, 108 respondents were Yunus in 1975 in West Bengal the SHGs have Socio-Economic Status of Rural Women of Self Help Groups ... 167 emerged in 1995 which was followed by a rapid are formed by different administrative spread since 2003- 2004. It is experienced that authorities keeping in mind the different after 2003 there has been a revolution in the purpose they may serve. Interestingly, it is area of formation of SHGs in West Bengal. In found that in case of the formation of SHGs in the formation of SHGs in West Bengal, Hooghly district, the key players are DRDC of P a n c h a y a t a n d R u r a l D e v e l o p m e n t the district, Hooghly District Central Co- Department, Government of West Bengal and Operative Bank and some NGOs. However, the West Bengal Central Co-operative Bank play formation of SHGs under SGSY programme is the predominant role. Moreover, several other monitored by DRDC. institutions running under State Government Table 1 clearly shows the total no. of Self namely West Bengal Tribal Development Co- Help Groups and their types in different blocks operative Corporation Ltd, West Bengal State of Hooghly district in 2020. Maximum no. of Co-operative Bank for Agriculture and Rural SHGs are found in Dhaniakhali Block (3846) Development (WBSCARD henceforth) and followed by Polba-Dadpur (3257) and Forest Department are involved in the (2986). - formation of SHGs.Like other districts of West (1049), I (1336) and Chinsurah- Bengal, in Hooghly district, the role of SHGs is (1463) are lagged far behind in terms of undeniable to provide alternative income- total no. of SHGs in the district. The pattern generating activities to the vast majority of portraits that rural block are far ahead than the unemployed people. The SHGs in this district urban block in Hooghly in term of the total

Table 1: Number of Self Help Groups and its members in Hooghly District, 2020

Source: National Rural Livelihood Mission, 2020 NRLM (National Rural Livelihood Mission) 168 Saheli Kumar and Kaushalendra Prakash Goswami number of SHGs. persists so maximum married women are Socio-economic profile of SHG members willing to join SHG for self-empowerment. In the present study table, 2 reveals the Besides the married women have a high chance socio-economic profile of 108 SHG members. of mobility in SHG than unmarried women. Among the respondents maximum of them are Education not only enhances the between 25 to 45 years in both Dhaniakhali knowledge but also helps one making use of (77.78 %) and Polba-Dadpur block (81.48 %). rational and scientific approach to solve a The middle age group women can actively problem. Education plays a vital role to widen participate in socio-economic activities, which the status of self-help group women. It not only is true of the activities of SHGs in the study leads to the economic benefit to the women- blocks. Besides they are much more interested only but also the whole community. The above than the young age group to join SHGs to table portrays a brief comparison of the become self-sustained. Out of total educational level of the respondents in these respondents in Dhaniakhali block 92.59% were two blocks. Both these blocks (Dhaniakhali – Hindu and 7.41 % were Muslim. While in 44.44%), (Polba-Dadpur – 55.56%) among the Polba- Dadpur block the cent per cent of respondents maximum of them have education respondents belong to the Hindu category. up to upper primary level. But in Dhaniakhali Caste is perceived as an important factor which block 18.52% HS qualifying women have determines one's social prestige and social joined in SHG while in Polba-Dadpur block intercourse. If we talk about the social category only 3.70% of respondents are HS qualified. It of the respondents then it is observed from the means that educated women in Dhaniakhali are table that in Dhaniakhali block out of the total more curious to sustain their family by joining respondent's majority of them fall under SHG than Polba-Dadpur block. The opposite General (40.74%) and SC category(40.74%) scenario is also observed in the case of lower followed by ST (14.81%) and OBC (3.70%). educated women. Out of the total respondents, An almost similar pattern is found in Polba- 15% of the respondents in Dhaniakhali block Dadpur block also where the maximum have primary education level which is much number of respondents falls under General lower than Polba-Dadpur block (22.22%). It is (37.04%) and SC category (37.04%) followed concluded that targeting people in SHGs in by OBC (14.81%) and ST (11.11%) category. these blocks are not the illiterates but the people This scenario tells that the women of general with formal education and school dropouts. and SC categories are more involved in SHG In a country like India, the type of family activities than the other two categories in both has been considered as an important aspect of these blocks. The marital life not only gives cultural identification and socialization pleasure and helps in the formation of the process. Mainly in rural India, the family but also provides responsibility for the empowerment of women has been determined development of the family. For the purpose the vividly by the nature of family. It is obvious to sample respondents have been categorized into note that the women from nuclear family are three groups viz. married, unmarried and mostly independent and they can make their widowed. Among the respondents, almost decisions freely without any interference, 98.14% of respondents are married. As the whereas the women in the joint family struggle minimum age of joining SHG is 18 years and hard to make their own decision and sometimes also in rural areas, a trend of early marriage forced to depend on others in the family. In the Socio-Economic Status of Rural Women of Self Help Groups ... 169 study area it is observed that a good majority of behind in terms of sanitation facility than respondents (52.96%) from both blocks Dhaniakhali Block which should be major belonged to nuclear family whereas, 37.04% concerned of the local government to improve respondents from joint family. It is also because their socio-economic background. of the sharp declining joint family system and Occupation determines the social standing rising nuclear family system in rural Bengal. of a family. This is since the different House is one of the basic needs for human occupations decide the status of a family in survival. The concept of property in rural India society and also economic benefits. A diverse is mainly confined to the size of the portfolio has been observed in terms of landholdings and the type of house in which occupational categories in both theses blocks. family live. It also serves as the main security In Dhaniakhali block majority of the for obtaining credit from different credit respondents (33.33%) are housewives, while organizations. In Dhaniakhali block maximum almost 19% of the respondents are engaged in SHG members (66.67%) live in Pucca house farming activities, 14.81% are doing small while 33% live in Katcha and semi Pucca business, 7.41% are involved as domestic house. The scenario is quite different in case of workers and almost 26% are involved in other Polba-Dadpur block where an equal percentage working activities. Whereas in Polba-Dadpur (44.44%) shared by the respondents who live in block majority of SHG members (55.56%) are Pucca and Katcha houses while only 11.11% engaged in other working activities, followed live in semi Pucca houses. It can be concluded by housewives (29.63%) and rest of 14% are that the members of Polba-Dadpur block are engaged in farming and business activities. lagged than Dhaniakhali block in case of nature From this, we can say that in both these blocks of housing. majority of the members are housewives and Like housing sanitation facility also they are motivated to perform any kind of perceived as one of the major parameters that income-generating activity to earn some entail the socio-economic profile of any money. household. In rural India even today many Income is one of the most important households have been deprived of proper indicators to identify the standard of living of a sanitation facility. If we compare the sanitation family. But it is quite difficult to get accurate facility among the two study blocks then we information about the income of the family in can tell that Dhaniakhali Block far ahead than Indian villages because villagers feel uneasy to the Polba-Dadpur block. In Dhaniakhali block reveal their income. Family income refers to all maximum household (96.30%) have toilet and the sources through which the respondent's bathroom facility within the premise, only rest family have had some returns of their economic of 3.70% respondents tell that they are using benefits. In our study, it is noticed that in open defecation for sanitation purpose. The Dhaniakhali Block 74.07% family have picture is quite worse in Polba-Dadpur block monthly income of fewer than 10000 rupees where only 60% of respondents have a toilet while 25.93% family have monthly income of and bathroom within premises and almost 26% 10000 to 20000 rupees. Polka-Dadpur block have outside the premises. Whereas almost also depicts an almost similar pattern where 12% of SHG members tell that they use open 77.78 % family have an income of less than defecation for sanitation purposes. Thus we can 10000 and 22.22% family possess 10000- conclude that Polba-Dadpur block is lagged far 20000 income per month. This scenario reveals 170 Saheli Kumar and Kaushalendra Prakash Goswami Table 2: Socio-economic profile of SHG members

Source: Primary survey, 2019 Socio-Economic Status of Rural Women of Self Help Groups ... 171 that fewer income families are eager to join During the interview, respondents were SHG activities to earn extra income. asked about their major reasons for joining Personal income entails economic SHG. In Dhaniakhali block maximum independence of any person in a society. The respondents (almost 45%) tell that they have main aim of the SHG movement in India is to joined in SHGs to get a loan from the bank. make the women economically independent. In Besides almost 30% have joined to obtain both blocks, almost 50% of respondents tell financial assistance and 11% have joined SHGs that they get a monthly income of less than to contribute to the family. While in Polba- 1000Rs per month. To get an extra income and Dadpur block more than half of the respondents become self-sufficient they have joined SHG. It (51.85%) have joined SHG to get a loan from a is also noticeable from the table that women bank. Whereas 15% told that they joined SHGs whose earning is more than 3000 per month for obtaining financial assistance .besides this (Dhaniakhali, 26% and Polba-Dadpur, 15%) survival (11.11%) and contributing to the are not too much eager to join SHG as they are family (11.11%) are also two vital factors already self-independent. among the women for joining SHG in Polba- Reason for joining SHG Dadpur block.

Table 3: Reasons for joining SHG

Source: Primary survey, 2019

Involvement of SHG members in table no. 4 that enrolment in SHG increases the Decision making ability to take part in decision-making It is expected that involvement in SHG activities among the respondents. In both the may improve their roll to take part in decision- blocks, SHG played a vital role in a gradual and making activities. For this the respondents steady increase in various decision-making were asked to provide their opinions on activities. In Dhaniakhali block significant whether there was any change in decision improvement is found in case of taking making from the pre-SHG to post- SHG period decision-related to marriage, selection of in different fields like education of children, employment, Taking and using loan and family marriage, family planning, employment planning. Whereas in Polba-Dadpur block selection, availing the medical facility, taking a significant changes in taking the decision are loan and utilizing loan, purchasing purpose, observed regarding the spending of money for spending money for their own and buying and their purposes, taking and using of loan, selling of land and aspects It is visible from children's education and marriage related 172 Saheli Kumar and Kaushalendra Prakash Goswami activities. Thus in a word, we can say that in part in decision-making activities rather both of the study blocks through SHG now depending on their husbands, family members women can take their decisions or at least take or elders regarding this.

Table 4: Involvement in Decision making from Pre to Post SHG

Source: Primary survey, 2019

Conclusion decisions taken within the families are joint The major findings in the study justify that decisions i.e. along with their husbands and the involvement in SHG plays a greater role to elder members instead of solitary decisions. develop the socio-economic status of rural Hence there is a need to create awareness women. From the analysis, it is observed that regarding the objectives of the SHG. Because among two blocks Polba-Dadpur lag than SHG not only helps to empower women Dhaniakhali block. Women of Polba-Dadpur economically but also empower them socially block are less developed when compared to the and politically. Based on the above micro-level Dhaniakhali block in which women are better study, it can be concluded that the status of educated, their marriageable age is slightly women in society, as well as country, largely high, women are more employed in informal depends upon the active participation of sectors, even they are also employed in women in development movement like SHG. political and development activities of their References villages. The study shows that the main reason Biswas, T., 2007, Women empowerment for joining SHG is to get a loan or to obtain through microfinance: A boon for financial support. A few members consider Development, viewed on 19 January 2020 SHG as a movement to create a source of f r o m h t t p : / / w w w. i s i c a l . a c . i n / regular income for them. The study also found when/Papers/ Paper TiyasBiswas.doc. that the participation of women members in the C h a n d r a , S . K . , 1 9 9 7 , Wo m e n a n d decision-making process has considerably Empowerment, Indian Journal of Public improved. After joining SHG they can take part Administration, Vol. 43. in decision-making activities or at least share Cheston, S. and Kuhn, L., 2002, Empowering their opinion with their family. But still, the Socio-Economic Status of Rural Women of Self Help Groups ... 173 Wo m e n T h r o u g h M i c r o fi n a n c e , Y ork. Unpublished Background Paper for the Mehta, A., 2004, Progressive Women and Micro-credit Summit 15, New York, Political Identity, Kanishka Publishers. pp.10-13. New Delhi. G a m o o r t h y, A . V. , 2 0 0 7 , Wo m e n Mukhopadhyay, H., 2008, The Role of Empowerment through Self-Help Groups: Education in the Empowerment of Women A case study in the North Tamil Nadu, in a District of West Bengal, India: Social Welfare, vol. 51, No. 1, pp.32-36. Reflection on a Survey of Women, Journal Gaonkar, R., 2001, Working and impact of of International Women's Studies, Vol.10, Self-help groups in Goa, Indian Journal of No.2, pp 217-225. Agricultural Economics, Vol.56, No.3, p Pandey, A. K., 2002, Emerging Issues in 465. Empowerment of Women, Anmol, New Gouri, K. V.,2017, Women Education and Delhi. Empowerment in India with Reference to Singh, H. R., and Singh, N. D., 2014, An Impact Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, Journal of Assessment of Microfinance: A Case Study Community Guidance & Research, vol. 34 of Socio-Economic Empowerment of SHG No.2, pp 394-414. Members in Manipur (India), Paripex - Karl, M., 1995, Women and Empowerment: Indian Journal of Research, Vol.3, No.1, Participation and Decision Making pp 141-147 viewed on10 June 2019 from (Women and World Development Series), http://www.theglobaljournals.com/paripe Zed Books Ltd., United Nations, New x/file.php.