Eversince Independence, a number of innovative schemes have been launched for the upliftment of women in India. There has been a perceptible shift form viewing women from Orthodox non-participative to active participative and critical agents for soco-echonomic and political development. The emphasis has been shifted form development to empowerment. The government of Andhra Pradesh has taken up the thee of Womens employment as one of the main agenda items to tackle rural poverty through social mobalization through Self Help Groups (SHG) movement. Andhra Pradeh is the pioneer state to...

The present book is concerned with the theme of role of SHGs in women empowerment. After Independence, since the First Five Year Plan (1951-56), India has been taking initiatives for the development of women. But a shift from development to Empowerment of Women was taken during the VIIIth plan period (1992-97). The SHG's started playing an important role in the rural development. Constitution of India guarantees equality to women (Article 14). There are other articles too which ensure rights of women e.g. no discrimination by the state article 15(1)] equality of opportunity (Article 16) etc....