Micro-Finance as a tool for Self Help Groups in Social Upliftment of Tribal Women in Yelagiri Hills of Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Micro-finance institutions (MIFs) acts as a promoter to Self Help Group (SHG) for the development of women members by providing Micro-credit facilities in different terms under varying conditions with/without collateral. This study was conducted among SHGs women members in tribal areas of Yelagiri Hills in Vellore District, Tamil Nadu, in India. All these areas are below the poverty line with unemployment and lack of awareness relating to education, health, nutrition, employment, financial facilities, and entrepreneurship. None Government Organisations (NGOs), Banks/MFIs, and Government organizations are taking a lot of effort to uplift these area’s people by providing guidelines to them. This study focuses on how micro-finance helps the tribal women members to overcome their problem to uplift social conditions. One hundred twenty questionnaires were distributed among the self-help group members. Through exploratory factor analysis, five factors were identified, namely an improvement in the quality of life, personality development, enhancement of social conditions, investment opportunities, and debt repayment. Multiple regression analysis results reveal that improvement in the quality of life, personality development, and enhancement of social has an impact on Social upliftment of tribal women in SHGs through Micro-finance.