Self-Help Groups (SHGs) foster financial inclusion, women empowerment, skill development, and poverty reduction through collective savings and credit activities. A self-help group refers to a financial group usually made up of 10 to 25 local women, who are aged between 18 to 40. Most of the self-help groups are situated in India, however, can be found in other countries as well, but concentrated in South and South-East Asia. What are Self Help Groups ? Self-Help Groups (SHGs) are small, community-based organizations where members pool their resources for mutual economic support, often focusing on savings and credit activities. These groups play a crucial role in empowering marginalized communities, fostering financial inclusion, and promoting sustainable livelihoods. This article aims to study in detail the structure, objectives, and impact of Self-Help Groups , highlighting their contribution to socio-economic development. Learn about the definition, functions, need, genesis, benefits, opportunities and weaknesses of SHGs in India. SHGs are informal associations of people who come together to improve their living conditions and access credit and financial services.
