International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
Bhupendra Maitry, Dr. RS Sengar, Dr. PK Sangode, Ritu Swarnkar, Parivesh Singh Nirala and Bhupesh Kumar Baghmar

abstract
This study explores the empowerment of rural women through Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in Mahasamund district, Chhattisgarh, which has the second-highest number of women SHGs in the state. The study involved 120 women members from 12 SHGs across two blocks, Basna and Pithora. Data were collected by using a structured interview schedule and analyzed using various statistical methods. Significant improvements were observed in the empowerment of women across economic, and political dimensions after joining SHGs. economic empowerment increases from 35.20% to 71.87% (36.67% change), and political empowerment increases from 41.11% to 68.61% (27.50% change). These findings highlight the transformative impact of SHGs on the empowerment of rural women in various aspects of life.