Sateri Mahila Self Help Group (SHG) with 20 women members from Honda, Sattari participates in exhibitions at various places. They put up their stall of traditional foods of Goa during social gatherings, local festivals, etc. The bank, in which they have their group account, sanctions small loans as and when required by the group. The group also supplies tea and snacks to the bank employees on daily basis. These women, who were earlier housewives, are today entrepreneurs. Luisa from Ribandar carries the fish catch to the market to sell. Till recently she carried the fish in ‘Pantlee’ (cane container) and travelled by public bus. She, through the SHG, approached the Bank for a loan to purchase a two wheeler (a scooter). Her loan was sanctioned. Now she rides to the market on her own, this saves her time and also she is no longer dependent on public transport. She now aims to take another loan to buy cold storage provision as shelf life of fish is short. Manjunath SHG from Gaondhongari, Canacona is a success story. The group got a contract from the Forest Department for cashew cultivation and processing collectively on rental basis. They approached the bank in which they had their group account and the bank sanctioned them a loan of eighteen thousand. They worked hard and were able to make brisk business. These examples reflect how SHGs can become springboard for women entrepreneurship.
The United Nations emphasised that economic development is clearly related to the advancement of women. Advancement of women promotes women entrepreneurship and more women entrepreneurship further leads to women empowerment. Encouraging women entrepreneurship also contributes to the national growth. In developing countries, it is not easy for women to take up to business and be successful in it. Various obstacles slow down this process. Lack of access to sufficient fund, balancing of roles between family and business, lack of infrastructure, risk aversion, lack of confidence, gender discrimination, lack of training opportunities, inaccessibility to information, lack of leadership and motivation, difficulty in negotiating with the banks etc. affect women entrepreneurship.
Micro financing has given an impetus to the growth of Women Self Help Groups (WSHGs) and WSHGs have given a fillip to women entrepreneurship, especially in developing countries. It is observed that it is easy to form and sustain women’s groups with credit as the binding activity. Such groups also receive social sanctions easily. WSHGs are increasingly assuming the role of a facilitator for creation and nurturing of women entrepreneurship.
Studies undertaken to understand the impact of micro finance on women entrepreneurship through WSHGs reflect positive results. A study conducted in Kanyakumari District with around 6000 WSHGs revealed that women trained through SHGs had taken to self employment and were involved in production and sale of products like syrup, shampoo, pickles and soap. In another study in Sriperumbadur a group of 12 women started a provisional store and later converted this store into modern super bazaar in Poomalai complex.
A research was undertaken to study the extent to which SHGs have resulted in growth of women entrepreneurship in Goa. The study reflected that micro financing and formation of WSHGs has helped in exploring the chances of springboard for women to be entrepreneurs. It was observed that the banks did disburse loans, and the capital reached the WSHG members on time. The savings of the group acted as partial collateral. The credit was availed for productive investment such as to start a small group business, buy cattle, to start masala unit, poultry farming, vegetable growing on cooperative basis etc. There are success stories too. An example is of Self Help Group from Khorlim, Mapusa, which started with manufacture and selling of “Puran-Poli” a local sweet delight. Today the group is having its own dough mixing and frying machinery and is selling Puran-Poli all over Goa, earning brisk profits. In fact this group is more popularly known as Puran-Poli Group in North Goa.
However, the transformation to entrepreneurship is never an easy one. There are various challenges faced by women members, whether venturing in group entrepreneurship or being individual entrepreneurs. Availability of right credit at right time and in right quantum, training for imbibing the required skills, cultivation of risk bearing ability, promoting group cohesion, marketing of the products, provision of proper infrastructure facilities, and last but not the least a positive societal attitude is necessary for producing effective women entrepreneurs. A much bigger role is expected from the state machinery. A wholesome approach, and not a piecemeal one, is called for. The women have to be provided with formal training in financial transactions. Allotment of space for WSHGs in shopping complexes constructed by the Government, at bus stands and other strategic places can go a long way in promoting women entrepreneurship. Tie up arrangement with the Cooperatives, purchase of materials produced by the WSHGs by the Government departments and academic Institutions also could be of help. A major opportunity provided to WSHGs by Government of Goa is where they are able to get contract of supplying meals to schools under Mid-Day Meal Programme. Though there are more than 15,000 WSHGs in Goa, not all are Cooperative societies like the type of enterprises running under SEWA banner in Gujarat or AGRAGAMME in Orissa. One such effort is Mahila Self Help Co-operative Society in Bardes Taluka of Goa, which has around 1000 members with around 80 WSHGs.
In Goa, the atmosphere is comparatively congenial to women taking up group entrepreneurship. The overall socio-economic conditions in the state have created opportunities for women to venture into entrepreneurship. SHGs have the potential to promote women entrepreneurship provided they are given the necessary infrastructural support and training, and encouragement by State, NGOs and society at large.
(The author is Associate Professor in Political Science, Government College of Arts, Science & Commerce, Khandola, Marcela)
