Microfinance and Women Empowerment: An Impact Study of Women SHGs: A Study on Kumaun Region of Uttarakhand, India

The Indian Himalayan Region is divided into North-East and North-West Regions that includes 11 states out of which three states exist in North-West Himalayan Region and Uttarakhand is one of them.The study aimed to assess the impact of microfinance on socio-economic empowerment of women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) members in Nainital district of the state.The decision making power/ability of women members regarding the access to credit, asset building, and income and money expenditure was increased after joining the group which lead to participation in political and social activities.It is suggested that the procedure for credit access to women should be made more easy and simple. There is need to sensitize the bank staff towards the needs, constraints and inhibitions of women, need to evolve training packages for entrepreneurship development to enable rural women as successful business managers. Social capability building programmes should be organized to promote small savings and women’s active role in developmental activities and to enhance socio-economic empowerment of women.