Abstract

Background: Participation of women in self-help groups made a significant impact in women empowerment. The self-help group is defined as a group of about 20 people from a homogenous class who come together to address their common problems. Method: This was a mixed study, using sequential explanatory design. Data collection was done from 120 respondents from three panchayths. The panchayaths were Chittoor, Mulavukadu and Pizhala in Ernakulam district using a structured questionnaire. Result: Results show significant correlation between participation of women in self-help groups and women empowerment. The finding of the study illustrates social development, political development, economic and cultural development as contributing factors of women empowerment. Conclusion: Self-help groups play an important role in empowerment of women. Self-help group plays a major role in grass root level empowerment especially within rural areas. This study concludes that more than half of the women are having development after joining self-help groups.