ASSESSEMENT OF THE ROLE OF SHGS ON LIVELIHOOD DIVERSIFICATION AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT: A CASE TO CHILDREN’S HOME SOCIETY AND FAMILY SERVICES; HOSSANA PROGRAM

Abstract

This study reviewed the role of self-help groups in creating livelihood options and women’s empowerment and assessed if self-help groups could contribute to household wellbeing of the self-help group members. The study considered women’s engagement in individual and group development; decision making at different levels; women’s participation in outdoor activities as an indicator of their empowerment. The study was conducted in Southern Nation Nationalities Regional State (SNNPRS), Hadiya Zone, Hossana town. Hossana, the capital city of Hadiya Zone. The research was descriptive in that it studied the relationship among the variables such as age group, source and size of income, level of education, family size, etc. Both qualitative and quantitative data were used to assess the impact of the self-help groups. Hence the researcher employed mixed methods research design. The quantitative method employed in this study statistical expressed in frequencies and percentages; and they were used to give explanations on the socioeconomic characteristics of the study subjects. The researcher also used qualitative approach to investigate detailed information about the participants’ opinion and feelings. The SHGs in CHSFS enabled women to grow their savings and to access loans from the group savings. SHGs served to the group members as community platforms from which group members/women became active in village affairs, stand for local election or took action to address social or community issues like the abuse of women, schools and other community development activities.