Problems Concerning Women’s Participation and Dropout from Self Help Groups in Koraput District of Odisha, India

Abstract

Self Help Group is a holistic programme of micro-enterprises covering all aspects of selfemployment and organization of the marginalised and weaker section of society especially women. The primary data were collected from 200 (SHGs members-100; Non-members-50; Dropout members-50) women respondents from purposively selected Koraput district of Odisha using semistructured interview schedule to identify the problems concerning women’s participation and dropout from Self Help Groups. The result shows that lack of transport facilities, long distance of market, lack of training on economic activities, members not attending meetings and no economic activity other than micro lending were major problems faced by the women SHGs members. The lack of transport facilities, lack of training on economic activities, long distance of market and dominance of group leader were the major problems faced by the non-members. The lack of training on economic activities, dominance of group leader, members not giving monthly savings, members not attending regular meetings, no economic activity other than micro lending and less profit from products prepared were major reasons of SHG dropouts. It is suggested that the organisations behind the formation of SHGs should do the review and audit of their financial records to avoid divergence of fund by leader and irregular monthly savings. The rotation of leadership among group members at regular interval, regular training on income generating activities by government organisations or NGOs and improvement in transportation facilities by government will definitely encourage women’s active participation in SHGs as well as discourage their dropouts from the SHGs.