Determinants that Contribute Women to Join in SHGs in Rayalaseema Region of Andhra Pradesh

The microfinance initiative, particularly the bank-linked Self-Help Group (SHG) program, has played a pivotal role in empowering women in rural areas, notably in India. This study employs an ex-post facto research design to examine the success of the SHG model in enhancing women's financial independence and overall empowerment. The study was conducted in the Rayalaseema region with a focus on Kurnool and Anantapur districts. A total of 6 mandals, 30 villages, and 360 women respondents representing 120 SHG groups were included in this research. By using factor analysis, the study categorized influential factors into sets. The study concluded that the key factors influencing women to join SHGs was enterprise development, improving family income, relationship dynamics, recognition, government support, and inspiration. This research provides valuable insights into the impact of microfinance programs on achieving women's empowerment. The study concludes that the Bank-Linked SHG model has been instrumental in addressing various aspects of women's empowerment, including economic independence, social recognition, and skill development.