Stree Shakthi Swasahaya Sangha – Empowering Rural Women through Self-Help Groups
1. Introduction
The Stree Shakthi Swasahaya Sangha is a pioneering initiative by the Government of Karnataka, aimed at empowering rural women through the formation of Self-Help Groups (SHGs). These groups provide a platform for women to become financially independent, access credit, and engage in various livelihood activities. It promotes social, economic, and political empowerment of women, especially in rural and backward regions.
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2. Objectives
The Stree Shakthi program is built on several core objectives:
- To empower women by forming self-reliant SHGs.
- To promote savings habits and financial literacy among women.
- To enable access to credit from banks and financial institutions.
- To support income-generating activities and entrepreneurship.
- To improve the social status of women through collective action.
- To reduce dependency on private moneylenders.
- To create awareness of health, nutrition, sanitation, education, and rights.
3. History and Background
The Stree Shakthi Yojana was launched in 2000 by the Department of Women and Child Development, Karnataka. Initially started as a pilot project, the scheme gained popularity due to its impact on rural women’s lives. It has grown over the decades into a large network of SHGs, spread across all taluks and villages in Karnataka.
4. Structure and Organization
The Stree Shakthi Sanghas are organized as follows:
- Village Level: SHGs (Self Help Groups) of 10-20 women
- Panchayat Level: Panchayat Resource Centres (PRCs)
- Taluk Level: Taluk Federations
- District Level: District Resource Centres (DRCs)
Each SHG is autonomous but follows the guidelines set by the Women and Child Development Department and is linked to banks, training institutions, and government departments.
5. Key Features
- Minimum 10 members and maximum 20 members per SHG.
- Weekly/monthly meetings to discuss finances, savings, loans, and issues.
- Bank accounts opened in the group’s name.
- Group savings deposited and used for internal lending.
- Access to revolving funds, subsidies, and micro-loans.
- Participation in gram sabhas and panchayat decision-making.
- Training in tailoring, dairy, food processing, digital literacy, etc.
6. Eligibility Criteria
To form or join a Stree Shakthi Sangha:
- Women above 18 years.
- Residents of the same village/locality.
- Preference for SC/ST, OBC, BPL families, and widows.
- Not part of another SHG under the same scheme.
- Willingness to contribute regular savings.
7. Registration Process
- Approach the Anganwadi worker or Women and Child Department officer.
- Form a group of 10–20 women willing to work together.
- Submit an application with member details, Aadhaar cards, and address proofs.
- Open a joint savings bank account in the name of the group.
- Get training from the department or NGOs.
- Receive initial revolving fund or seed capital.
The entire process is supervised by the Anganwadi Supervisor or CDPO (Child Development Project Officer).
8. Government Assistance
The Karnataka government provides several types of assistance:
- Revolving Fund: ₹10,000–₹25,000
- Interest Subsidy: On loans from banks
- Matching Grant: Up to ₹5,000 to ₹10,000 depending on the group savings
- Training & Skill Development
- Marketing Support
- Exposure Visits and Awards for Best SHGs
9. Financial Assistance and Subsidies
Financial aid includes:
- Loans from banks under SHG-Bank Linkage Programme.
- Subsidized interest under National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM).
- Seed money for small businesses like dairy, poultry, or tailoring units.
- Access to Mudra Loans, PMEGP, and state-specific subsidies.
10. Training and Capacity Building
Members are trained in:
- Bookkeeping and group management.
- Vocational skills like tailoring, agarbatti-making, catering, etc.
- Entrepreneurship and business planning.
- Health, sanitation, rights awareness.
- Digital skills: UPI, online banking, app usage.
Training is organized by the DWCD and in collaboration with RSETIs, NGOs, or NABARD.
11. Role of Women in Rural Economy
Women play a pivotal role in rural economic development:
- SHGs encourage women to engage in productive economic activities.
- Women-led enterprises improve household income.
- Participation in agriculture, livestock, and small businesses increases.
- SHGs reduce rural poverty and dependency.
12. Activities of Sanghas
Common activities include:
- Dairy and goat farming
- Garment stitching and tailoring
- Candle, agarbatti, and papad-making
- Pickle and food processing units
- Handicrafts and eco-friendly products
- Mobile recharge and banking correspondence
- Running canteens, schools, and service centers
13. Income Generation and Micro-enterprises
SHGs initiate micro-enterprises such as:
- Women’s co-operative stores
- Sanitary pad units
- Organic farming and marketing
- Millet-based food product manufacturing
- Home-based tuition or coaching centers
14. Monitoring and Evaluation
Monitoring is done at various levels:
- Anganwadi workers submit reports.
- CDPO and supervisors inspect and provide feedback.
- Online MIS systems track savings, loans, and training.
- Performance evaluated based on attendance, savings, repayment, and group activity.
15. Technology and Digital Empowerment
Stree Shakthi Sanghas are being digitized:
- Use of Karnataka One, Seva Sindhu, and SHG mobile apps
- Online training programs and e-bookkeeping
- Digital financial literacy sessions
- QR-based digital payment systems
16. Collaboration with Banks and NGOs
Key partnerships include:
- Banks: For loans, savings accounts, and credit linkage
- NGOs: For capacity-building, handholding, and audits
- CSR foundations: Provide training and market linkages
- NABARD: Provides financial literacy programs
17. Role in Social Development
Sanghas go beyond economic empowerment:
- Campaigns on sanitation, girl child education, dowry, and domestic violence
- Support for widows, abandoned women, and senior citizens
- Encourage voter awareness and civic participation
- Participation in village planning and disaster response
18. Challenges Faced by Sanghas
Despite progress, challenges include:
- Lack of proper record-keeping
- Low literacy among members
- Limited access to markets
- Bank delays in processing loans
- Male interference in decision-making
- Lack of sustainable business models
19. Success Stories
Example 1: Dharwad SHG Dairy Enterprise
A group of 12 women started a dairy farm with a ₹2 lakh bank loan. Today, they supply milk to the entire taluk and earn over ₹50,000/month collectively.
Example 2: Gadag Tailoring Unit
A SHG of 18 women started a tailoring unit making school uniforms. They received government contracts and now employ 10 more women from nearby villages.
20. Future Outlook
The future of Stree Shakthi Sanghas is promising:
- Digitization of all records and payments
- Expansion into urban SHGs
- E-commerce platforms for SHG products
- Export promotion for handicrafts and organic products
- More robust convergence with NRLM, Start-up India, and MSME schemes
21. Conclusion
The Stree Shakthi Swasahaya Sangha program is a powerful example of how grassroots women’s collectives can lead to economic upliftment and social transformation. By bringing financial tools, social awareness, and collective strength into the hands of women, Karnataka is building a model of sustainable rural development that can inspire the rest of India.
