Effect of Loan Utilization Pattern on the Pathway of Women Empowerment

Indira Kranthi Patham is a state run anti poverty program implemented through Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) which works on the demand side by bringing in a new paradigm of development of poverty elimination through an empowerment process of the rural poor by building and nurturing self help groups of women. Financial Access is given to SHG members as a part of comprehensive multi dimensional poverty alleviation strategy. Few beneficiaries involve themselves in venture creation and become micro entrepreneurs whereas few women give the money to their spouses and use it for family needs. The path of empowerment has always been equally interesting for academia and government bodies. How do women get power? From within? Through the support of peer group? Can they be empowered by merely providing access to resources? are some thought provoking questions the author seeks to answer. The research content of the present book proves that the paths of empowerment for micro entrepreneurs and others vary significantly. Cognitive factors lead for overall empowerment among micro entrepreneurs whereas group support social activities leads to empowerment among other women.