Dev Sharma
Independent Researcher
Delhi, India
Abstract
Rural women’s collectives, particularly in the form of self-help groups and community‐based organizations, have become instrumental in fostering grassroots empowerment across India. This study investigates how such collectives in Tamil Nadu contribute to enhancing economic security, social capital, and decision-making agency among rural women. Employing a mixed-method design, a structured survey was administered to 200 women members of various collectives across three districts (Thanjavur, Salem, and Nilgiris), complemented by in-depth interviews with ten collective leaders. Quantitative analysis revealed that over 80 percent of respondents experienced increased access to microcredit and savings, with 68 percent reporting greater influence in household financial decisions. Quantitatively, the index rose by an average of 37 percent after two years of collective membership, with microenterprise ventures contributing 52 percent to additional household income. Qualitatively, narratives reveal emergent leadership skills, peer‐mentoring networks, and adoption of digital tools for market linkage. These findings underscore the transformative potential of collectives when supported by capacity‐building, gender‐sensitive training, and inclusive value‐chain partnerships.
Social participation indicators showed that 72 percent attended local governance meetings at least quarterly, and 64 percent had assumed leadership roles within their communities. Qualitative insights highlighted challenges including persistent gender norms and limited market linkages. The study concludes that women’s collectives serve as vital platforms for empowerment but require targeted policy support—such as capacity building, market integration initiatives, and awareness campaigns—to sustain and deepen their impact.
Keywords
Rural women’s collectives; Grassroots empowerment; Self-help groups; Tamil Nadu; Economic agency; Social capital
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