Women self help groups from rags to riches
The adage sticks tied together cannot be easily broken seems to be the driving spirit behind women’s unity for forming self help groups to deal with social and economic problems that particularly engulf the rural areas. In India, Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) were initiated by NABARD (National Bank of Agriculture and Rural Development), with the support of local NGOs. Women's groups are well organized. They have annual elections for leadership posts such as chairperson, treasurer, and secretary. There are by-laws and constitutions that govern most of these groups. By forming SHGs women are generating income during off-season to support their families. Why is there a need to organize women into self-help groups? Women self help groups came into existence to promote savings- and credit activities, and engage women of the groups in production units. The rational was that savings and credit activities and promotion of income generating activities will bring economic prosperity and inde