Journal Press India^®

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The present paper is an attempt to evaluate the structural aspect of self-help groups in Hamirpur and Una district of Himachal Pradesh. The paper examined the role of SHG micro-credit as a tool of capacity development and women’s empowerment in rural areas of Hamirpur and Una districts in Himachal Pradesh, India. It is based on primary data collected from a random sample of 518 members. The capacity of women is built up in spheres that were previously not their domain, for example, opening and operating bank accounts, visiting local offices, accessing loans and so on. It is considered as the first step for microenterprises. It is used by a number of Governmental agencies, non-governmental organisations and voluntary organisations to reach the poor people and ameliorate their poverty. These agencies help people organise themselves to improve their capability through training, monitoring and guidance for initiating and operating gainful microenterprises.

Keywords

Self-help groups; Microfinance; Microenterprise; Himachal Pradesh

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