Income-generating self-help groups as empowerment tool for rural women

Abstract

An exploratory descriptive design was used to examine income-generating self-help groups in the rural area of Moutse, Mpumalanga, South Africa in terms of viability and ability to empower women economically. Income-generating self-help groups of women in Moutse have grown over the years with the initiative of the extension officers of the Department of Agriculture. These groups are also used by the women to enhance personal growth and family support. The success of the income-generating groups relates to abstract needs, such as the individual member's motivation, self-esteem gained through participation in decisionmaking processes and the implementation of projects. Skills are acquired in the process of participation in which abstract and concrete needs are addressed. The failures of the groups are as a result of lack of funding, unavailability of resources, lack of appropriate support and training, lack of co-operation and some unhealthy competition among groups in the area which results in the groups not being economically viable.