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Abstract

This study is anchored in feminist understandings of empowerment as a relational process shaped by gendered power hierarchies within households, communities, and financial institutions. We offer a comprehensive analysis of governmental efforts, bank linkages, and economic empowerment of women through micro-finance in Self-Help Groups (SHGs). Although the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) data only provides aggregate financial indicators, we interpret the trends in savings, borrowing, and repayment in dialogue with feminist and intersectional scholarship on microfinance in India. The study provides insights into the role of microfinance in SHGs and the magnitude of support for women’s empowerment, based on secondary data from the NABARD. Savings, loan disbursement, loan outstanding, and non-performing assets (NPA) have been considered as proxy indicators for women’s economic status. Subsequently, the data analysis has been carried out using the multiple linear regression model. The analysis reveals that NPAs in bank loans given to women’s SHGs have a negative association with savings, loan disbursement, and loan outstanding balances. We have also found that savings and loan disbursement are increasing while the magnitude of NPAs in bank loans is decreasing. This determines improved financial participation and loan repayment capacity and is correlated with certain dimensions of economic empowerment. The findings add to an understanding of the government’s efforts and women’s empowerment through microfinance and SHGs.

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