Social networks, mobility, and political participation: The potential for women’s self-help groups to improve access and use of public entitlement schemes in India

Social networks, mobility, and political participation: The potential for women’s self-help groups to improve access and use of public entitlement schemes in India
Author: Kumar, Neha
Publisher: Intl Food Policy Res Inst
Total Pages: 53
Release: 2018-08-22
Genre: Political Science
ISBN:

Women’s self-help groups (SHGs) have increasingly been used as a vehicle for social, political, and economic empowerment as well as a platform for service delivery. Although a growing body of literature shows evidence of positive impacts of SHGs on various measures of empowerment, our understanding of ways in which SHGs improve awareness and use of public services is limited. To fill this knowledge gap, this paper first examines how SHG membership is associated with political participation, awareness, and use of government entitlement schemes. It further examines the effect of SHG membership on various measures of social networks and mobility. Using data collected in 2015 across five Indian states and matching methods to correct for endogeneity of SHG membership, we find that SHG members are more politically engaged. We also find that SHG members are not only more likely to know of certain public entitlements than non-members, they are significantly more likely to avail of a greater number of public entitlement schemes. Additionally, SHG members have wider social networks and greater mobility as compared to non-members. Our results suggest that SHGs have the potential to increase their members’ ability to hold public entities accountable and demand what is rightfully theirs. An important insight, however, is that the SHGs themselves cannot be expected to increase knowledge of public entitlement schemes in absence of a deliberate effort to do so by an external agency.

Sustainability of Microfinance Self Help Groups in India

Sustainability of Microfinance Self Help Groups in India
Author: Ajai Nair
Publisher: World Bank Publications
Total Pages: 46
Release: 2005
Genre: Microfinance
ISBN:

The major form of microfinance in India is that based on women's Self Help Groups (SHGs), which are small groups of 10--20 members. These groups collect savings from their members and provide loans to them. However, unlike most accumulating savings and credit associations (ASCAs) found in several countries, these groups also obtain loans from banks and on-lend them to their members. By 2003, over 700,000 groups had obtained over Rs.20 billion (US$425 million) in loans from banks benefiting more than 10 million people. Delinquencies on these loans are reported to be less than 5 percent. Savings in these groups is estimated to be at least Rs.8 billion (US$170 million). Despite these considerable achievements, sustainability of the SHGs has been suspect because several essential services required by the SHGs are provided free or at a significantly subsidized cost by organizations that have developed these groups. A few promoter organizations have, however, developed federations of SHGs that provide these services and others that SHG members need, but which SHGs cannot feasibly provide. Using a case study approach, Nair explores the merits and constraints of federating. Three SHG federations that provide a wide range of services are studied. The findings suggest that federations could help SHGs become institutionally and financially sustainable because they provide the economies of scale that reduce transaction costs and make the provision of these services viable. But their sustainability is constrained by several factors--both internal, related to the federations themselves, and external, related to the other stakeholders. The author concludes by recommending some actions to address these constraints. This paper--a product of the Finance and Private Sector Development Unit, South Asia Region--is part of a larger effort in the region to study access to finance in India.

Community-based Rehabilitation

Community-based Rehabilitation
Author: World Health Organization
Publisher:
Total Pages: 452
Release: 2010
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 9789241548052

Volume numbers determined from Scope of the guidelines, p. 12-13.

Microfinance and Its Impact on Entrepreneurial Development, Sustainability, and Inclusive Growth

Microfinance and Its Impact on Entrepreneurial Development, Sustainability, and Inclusive Growth
Author: Das, Ramesh Chandra
Publisher: IGI Global
Total Pages: 412
Release: 2018-06-15
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1522552146

Microfinance is a broad variety of services, such as microcredit, for entrepreneurs and small businesses lacking access to banking and other financial services. As many smaller businesses and entrepreneurs may not be able to secure credit services, many microfinance promoters believe that it encourages entrepreneurial activities and inclusive growth. Microfinance and Its Impact on Entrepreneurial Development, Sustainability, and Inclusive Growth is an essential resource that empirically explores the role of microfinance in entrepreneurship development and the operational sustainability of microfinance institutions. It also highlights the impact of microfinance on entrepreneurship development in different countries and regions. Featuring coverage on a broad range of topics such as risk management, women entrepreneurship, and strategic management, this book provides essential research for entrepreneurs, business managers, policy makers, researchers in the field of finance, and business professionals seeking relevant research on microfinance systems.

International Perspectives on Socio-Economic Development in the Era of Globalization

International Perspectives on Socio-Economic Development in the Era of Globalization
Author: Sen, Saurabh
Publisher: IGI Global
Total Pages: 309
Release: 2016-03-08
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1466699094

In today’s world, globalization bears intense interdependencies between countries, and the impact global business transactions have on society and economics is more palpable than ever. Despite this, many developing countries in the global market find themselves struggling to support perpetual population growth. These countries must find ways to attain sustainable development in the economic, social, and environmental sectors. International Perspectives on Socio-Economic Development in the Era of Globalization seeks to examine the existing variability of development in the global marketplace and to identify the catalysts responsible for this disparity of success. This title analyzes the economic frontiers, social norms, and infrastructural capabilities that factor into the socio-economic growth of the developing and under-developed world. This book will become a definitive text for policy makers, academics, students, and business executives.

Women’s Empowerment and Nutrition

Women’s Empowerment and Nutrition
Author: Mara van den Bold
Publisher: Intl Food Policy Res Inst
Total Pages: 80
Release: 2013-11-01
Genre: Social Science
ISBN:

Many development programs that aim to alleviate poverty and improve investments in human capital consider women’s empowerment a key pathway by which to achieve impact and often target women as their main beneficiaries. Despite this, women’s empowerment dimensions are often not rigorously measured and are at times merely assumed. This paper starts by reflecting on the concept and measurement of women’s empowerment and then reviews some of the structural interventions that aim to influence underlying gender norms in society and eradicate gender discrimination. It then proceeds to review the evidence of the impact of three types of interventions—cash transfer programs, agricultural interventions, and microfinance programs—on women’s empowerment, nutrition, or both. Qualitative evidence on conditional cash transfer (CCT) programs generally points to positive impacts on women’s empowerment, although quantitative research findings are more heterogenous. CCT programs produce mixed results on long-term nutritional status, and very limited evidence exists of their impacts on micronutrient status. The little evidence available on unconditional cash transters (UCT) indicates mixed impacts on women’s empowerment and positive impacts on nutrition; however, recent reviews comparing CCT and UCT programs have found little difference in terms of their effects on stunting and they have found that conditionality is less important than other factors, such as access to healthcare and child age and sex. Evidence of cash transfer program impacts depending on the gender of the transfer recipient or on the conditionality is also mixed, although CCTs with non-health conditionalities seem to have negative impacts on nutritional status. The impacts of programs based on the gender of the transfer recipient show mixed results, but almost no experimental evidence exists of testing gender-differentiated impacts of a single program. Agricultural interventions—specifically home gardening and dairy projects—show mixed impacts on women’s empowerment measures such as time, workload, and control over income; but they demonstrate very little impact on nutrition. Implementation modalities are shown to determine differential impacts in terms of empowerment and nutrition outcomes. With regard to the impact of microfinance on women’s empowerment, evidence is also mixed, although more recent reviews do not find any impact on women’s empowerment. The impact of microfinance on nutritional status is mixed, with no evidence of impact on micronutrient status. Across all three types of programs (cash transfer programs, agricultural interventions, and microfinance programs), very little evidence exists on pathways of impact, and evidence is often biased toward a particular region. The paper ends with a discussion of the findings and remaining evidence gaps and an outline of recommendations for research.

Self-help Groups and Rural Development

Self-help Groups and Rural Development
Author: S. Bose
Publisher: MJP Publisher
Total Pages: 323
Release: 2019-06-07
Genre: Self-Help
ISBN:

Introduction SHGs and Development: The Scenario SHGs and Micro credit and Micro finance Global Analysis of Self-Help Groups Detailed Analysis of SHG in Tamilnadu Self-Help Group and its Members Role of SHGs in Social Transformation Summary of Major Analysis Promotion of Self-Help Groups Bibliography Index

Navigating Microfinance: Insights and Implementation

Navigating Microfinance: Insights and Implementation
Author: Pradeep Kumar Singh
Publisher: Notion Press
Total Pages: 508
Release: 2023-12-11
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN:

"Navigating Microfinance: Insights and Implementation" is your indispensable guide to the dynamic world of microfinance. In this comprehensive two-volume exploration, Pradeep Kumar Singh, an accomplished professional with over two decades of experience, delves deep into the intricacies of microfinance, providing invaluable insights for industry professionals and management students alike. Volume 1, aptly titled "Microfinance Insights" embarks on a riveting journey through twelve illuminating chapters. From unravelling the pivotal role of rural credit and financial inclusion to exploring global microfinance models and dissecting delivery methodologies, this volume leaves no stone unturned. Readers gain a profound understanding of the evolution of Indian microfinance, its legal and governance framework, and the transformative potential of financial inclusion. Aspiring microfinance professionals and management students will find this book to be the perfect blend of theory and practice, equipping them with the knowledge and expertise needed to excel in this field. The dedication and acknowledgments express gratitude to those who supported the book's creation, adding a personal touch to this enriching resource. Embark on this enlightening journey, and let "Navigating Microfinance: Insights and Implementation" be your compass in the world of microfinance. Whether you are seeking a comprehensive reference or a deeper understanding of financial inclusion, this book is your trusted companion.