Are We Underestimating the Success of Self Help Groups in India? A Systematic Review

This paper offers a comprehensive analysis of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in India, focusing on their non-financial and indirect impacts that eventually lead to significant financial gains over the long term. Through an in-depth review of the literature on SHGs in India over the past 25 years, the paper explores the influence of SHGs on social capital, political capital, girl child education, healthcare and sanitation, and domestic violence. These factors contribute not only to women’s empowerment but also to community and socio-economic development. As such, even groups with limited financial returns, underestimated in capacity, and often labelled as unsuccessful, can be assessed for their potential to drive substantial long-term changes in their communities. Most studies have measured only the short-term impacts of these groups; however, these factors are often impacted over the longer term and thus it becomes important to examine the success of SHGs over a longer time frame. This paper contributes to a more panoramic understanding of SHGs, measured over the long term, and highlights the need for metrics that capture their multifaceted impact on women’s holistic empowerment beyond financial outcomes.