Can Women's Self-Help Groups Contribute to Sustainable Development ? Evidence of Capability Changes from Northern India

摘要: This paper investigates a women's self-help group program with more than 1.5 million participants in one of the poorest rural areas Northern India. The has four streams activity micro-savings, agricultural enterprise training, health and nutrition education, political participation. considers whether there is any evidence that membership associated quality life improvement. Using new data on variety self-reported capability indicators from members non-members, estimates propensity score matching models reports differences some dimensions as well significant benefits to those most disadvantaged groups—scheduled castes tribes. robustness concludes for dimensions, contributed sustainable development through improvements life.