| |
 A
Self-Help Group (SHG) is a small voluntary association of poor people,
preferably from the same socio-economic background. They are groups that come
together because of some common interest, usually for the purpose of solving
their common problems through self-help and mutual help. A SHG acts as a forum
for the members to provide space and support to each other. It also enables the
members to learn to cooperate and work in a group environment. In several poor
and developing countries SHGs have proved to be a highly effective vehicle for
overall community development.
 The
SHGs comprise the poorer and disadvantaged sections of society who normally
do not have access
to formal financial institutions. Hence, a useful activity
generally taken up by SHGs is to provide savings mechanism, which suits the
needs of the members. It also provides a cost effective delivery mechanism for
small credit to its members. The SHGs significantly contribute to the
empowerment of poor women.
DBDS and its partner organizations have adopted the ‘Self-Help Group Model’ as a
key strategy for women’s empowerment and community development. Presently it is
promoting over 500 such groups. These include: Gujarat
|
Area |
No. of
SHGs |
|
Kawant,
Gujarat |
122 |
|
Narukot,
Gujarat |
10 |
|
Chhota
Udepur, Gujarat |
46 |
|
Baroda,
Gujarat |
15 |
|
Alirajpur,
Madhya Pradesh |
92 |
|
Suket,
Rajasthan |
10 |
|
Antop
Hill, Mumbai |
15 |
|
Naigaon, Maharashtra |
9 |
|
Walwanda & Khodala, Maharashtra |
6 |
|
Ahmednagar, Maharashtra |
110 |
|
Don Bosco
Kapadvanj, Gujarat |
45 |
|
|
