Title:
INFLUENCE OF FINANCIAL INCLUSION ON WOMEN EMPOWERMENT: A STUDY WITH REFERENCE TO SELF-HELP GROUPS IN SPS NELLORE DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH

Authors:
M. Harita and Dr. A. Amruth Prasad Reddy

Abstract:
Learning from Bangladesh's experience, India has made significant progress in expanding the reach of microfinance institutions to support the economic development of disadvantaged women. To provide women with financial independence, self-respect, and respect for their role in society, the government has attempted to distribute the money through a variety of methods, including self-help groups and bank loans. Reserve Bank of India and NABARD has also implemented various financial management policies to ignore and neglect section of women by considering the importance of financial inclusion in the country's economy. A review of literature is a critical, in-depth evaluation and integrating the earlier research studies and it is an important step in understanding the research. In this regard, various secondary sources are reviewed such as theses, books, research articles, and abstracts, etc. The main objective of the study is to analyze the influence of financial inclusion on women's empowerment. The sampling frame is the rural and urban areas in Nellore district which is comprised of 5 revenue divisions and 47 mandals. The calculated sample size is 384. Hence this study has rounded off the sample size to a higher number considering 400 as the sample size of the study. Quota sampling has been adopted to collect the necessary data. Both primary and secondary data have been collected for the present study. The study has designed a structured questionnaire for collecting the perspectives and opinions of women that will be subjected to statistical analysis. The collected data was tested through quantitative metrics to give a scientific touch to the data like the Simple Percentage method, Factor Analysis, Weighted Mean, Cronbach's Alpha, Correlation, Regression, ANOVA, and t-test. The correlation coefficient values between financial inclusion and Economic Empowerment, Social Empowerment and Political Empowerment are +0120, +0.118 and +0.192. It shows a significant positive relationship between financial inclusion with Economic Empowerment, Social Empowerment and Political Empowerment. Hence, the alternative hypothesis is accepted.

Keywords:
Financial inclusion, social empowerment, political empowerment, economic empowerment.