| Abstract: | This study was conducted in Addis Ababa, Addis Ketema sub-city, Woreda six and seven on
Addis Zemen Self Help Group (SHG), which is run by women. The objectives to undertake the
study lie in examining the historical background, ultimate goals, rules and regulations, major
achievements, and challenges of the Self Help Group. The study further aims at suggesting
possible recommendations to enhance the overall activities of the Self Help Group towards
improving the living conditions of beneficiaries and realize their economic, social, and political
empowerment. In undertaking this study, a qualitative method was employed as it was
appropriate to examine the experiences of members of the SHG. The instruments of data
collection thus, include: key informant interviews, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions,
and moderate observation.
Self Help Groups in Ethiopia are recent in origin. They particularly target resource constrained
female-headed households and have tremendous contributions to concerted efforts in reducing
poverty and empowering women. Findings of this study reveal that Addis Zemen SHG was
established with twenty poor women, and three street beggar women as members. It also
includes destitute children in program packages. In selecting beneficiaries, the SHG considers
the age, sex, and poverty level of the local people. Other selection criteria include: residence in
the same area, and mutual interests of eligible applicants. The SHG has a byelaw, which serves
as a working document providing sets of rules and regulations that members should abide by in
performing their activities. The major achievements of Addis Zemen SHG are the economic and
social benefits it brought to its members. It also has relative political benefits.
In economic terms, members of the SHG have access to saving and credit facilities and can
receive business skills trainings from the association in order to run small businesses of their
own. Each member has 1,500. 00birr saved in a bank and 5,00.00 birr security fund that can be
used for the urgent needs of families of the SHG members. The economic achievements of
beneficiary women have also impacts on the social benefits they acquired. Hence, the women are
able to exercise effective power in household decision making, and have access to and control
over resources. This can be considered an important aspect of their social empowerment.
Along with this, the social benefits of the SHG to the beneficiaries include: increasing social
interactions among members, developing self-esteem, winning respect from the surrounding
community, and actively participating in community services. Members of the SHG also have
some political benefits that are manifested in ways the women developed their skills to express
their opinions in public meetings, participate actively in civic associations, and so on. Despite the
multifaceted achievements gained by the SHG, it is visible that it also has encountered
challenges such as administrative pitfalls in recognizing the legal status of the SHG, and
reluctance to facilitate good working environment for beneficiary members. |
