| Abstract: | This study tries to find to look at the socio-economic empowerment of women in Self Help
Groups approach. The study is situated in Yeka Sub-City in the North East part of the
capital city Addis Ababa, a sub city corresponds somewhat to the expansion areas at its
peripheries put next to poor social indicators; unemployment, lack of housing, lack of
basic facilities etc are the main problems from which most of the residents are suffering
from mostly women. The purpose of this study was to evaluate social and economic
empowerment of Marginalized Women. The study uses, both quantitative and qualitative
research methodologies. Data collected from various groups of respondents were then
examined and summarized. Saving habit, access to loan, engage in different kinds of
individual and group IGAs. The women also experienced ‘Power Within’: feelings of
autonomy, strength, self identity and increases in levels of self-confidence and selfesteem.
At the social level, social unity created due to group interaction and mutual
support among SHG members .SHGs has enabled women to have a voice in the
community affairs, improved decision making power of SHG members at household,
group, and community level. Participation in various trainings and the resulting increase
in knowledge and skills, and improved household consumption were some of the major
outcomes of involvement in SHGs. xii
Relevance to Social Work Practices
Self-Help Groups are working on the theory of collectively for the common goal.
According to Larkin (2004), social work is a profession that is devised toward helping
disadvantaged members of society, improving the welfare of people within their social
circumstances and dealing with the well-being of society as a total. The similarity of this
basic concept of SHGs and the basic idea of the profession of social work as a helping
profession calls for the close functioning correlation between the two. |
