AN ANALYSIS OF THE ROLE OF SELF HELP GROUPS IN WOMEN’S SOCIO ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT: A CASE STUDY IN GUTO GIDA DISTRICT OF EAST WOLLEGA ZONE IN OROMIA NATIONAL REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

The purpose of this dissertation was to analyze the role of Self Help Groups for women socioeconomic empowerment. Luck of sufficient research in the area led to information gap that hindered the promotion of the concept in East Wollega Zone of Oromia Region. This research tried to fill this gap by providing additional knowledge about the role and contributions of SHG in the process of empowering the rural poor women. Case study design was used with the study population being drawn from registered women SHGs in Guto Gida district and respondents were only the registered members. The sample of SHG studied was drawn from the thirty (15) SHGs registered. The sample size of ten (5) SHGs was identified through systematic random sampling and seventeen (17) respondents from each four groups and sixteen (16) respondents from the remaining group were picked thus a total of eighty four (84) respondents. The study used` in-depth interview and data captured using semi structured questionnaire. Quantitative data collected was analyzed and expressed in frequencies and percentage and coded according to research objectives and presented using tables and figures. The SHG has improved the saving culture of the respondents through making it compulsory for all to save and encouraging members to increase their savings and reinvest them in entrepreneurial activities. The study noted that by participating in SHG the respondents were able to access revolving project loans with easy and access better amount of loan as compared to pre SHG period. Most respondents were able to attend training after joining SHG which had an impact in enabling them increase asset, improve business skills and diversify investment. In addition, the trainings were contributed to their community participation, better self confidence and increased household decision-making power. NGOs were noted to be the major organizers of trainings and GOs involvement was limited. There is a need to develop mechanism for follow-up and measure the sustainability in the long period of time. There is also a need assess the training need of the SHG members before conducting training so that mismatch between the capabilities and interests of the beneficiaries and the courses offered could be reduced.