CONTRIBUTIONS OF SELF HELP GROUP ON WOMEN EMPOWERMENT: A CASE STUDY IN HABRU WOREDA, NORTH WOLLO, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

This research sets out to explore the contribution of Self Help Groups on Women Empowerment the case of Habru Woreda of North Wollo, Amhara Regional State. To achieve the study objectives, the researcher employed quantitative and qualitative research designs using inferential and descriptive statistics and qualitative methods. The researcher administered a survey to 612 women selected employing multi stage proportional sampling method; interviewed eight purposively selected government and non government organizations’ staff; and administered two sessions of focus group discussions on the services that members received and the result of the intervention on empowerment of women and the effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability of the approach. Two Group Independent Samples t Test was employed to explore if there is a difference in empowerment level among Self Help Group participants and nonparticipants. Pearson Correlation Test was employed to test the association of Self Help Groups services with empowerment results. Qualitative thematic analysis was employed to analyze the qualitative research information. It was found that Self-Help Group members were more empowered than their nonmembers peers were. The Study assured that that trainings and services received by Self Help Group participants are positively highly correlated with empowerment results. Finally, the Study asserted that the SHG approach is efficient, effective and sustainable that would continue to be adopted by development actors.