THE ASSESSMENT OF WOMEN’S SELF-HELP GROUPS CONTRIBUTION IN POVERTY REDUCTION IN HAWASSA CITY

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess/investigate Women’s Self-Help Groups in Poverty Reduction at Mehal- Ketema Sub City in Hawassa. Descriptive survey design was employed. Quantitative data were collected, through questionnaires, from 162 women’s self-help group respondents. The researcher has employed simple random sampling technique to select her respondents. Semi-structured interviews were also held with six experts from Mehal Ketema sub city Women and Children Affair office (especially Women Capacity Building Core Process), OMF office, Finance Economic Developmental Department, Hawassa City Administration Women Capacity Empowerment Core Work Process, and NGOs, in order to get additional information about the groups contributions in poverty reduction was interviewed. In the study, one focus group discussion was held. The focus group has consisted purposively selected seven Women's Self-Help Group leaders from the groups to get deeper understanding on its role in poverty reduction among the group members. Using SPSS version 20, quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as percentage, mean, standard deviation, and inferential statistics such as chi-square test. Finding of the study revealed that on the case of Women's Self-Help Group Interventions on Poverty Reduction, some SHG members resign from membership with trivial cases. The data analysed revealed that even if some women SHG members have generated income that can cover their monthly expenditure, start to save money and able to change their household, still it is exhibited that there are some women participating in their SHG are not able to do so. As the researcher observed, in Poverty alleviation activities the role-played by the selected women’s SHGs in terms of poverty reduction in the study area generally revealed that it contributed towards reducing the pressure of poverty of the beneficiaries. Therefore, in order to be effective in achieving the goal, all the development actors and the beneficiaries should focus on long term and value- added projects than immediate benefit that satisfy their daily needs.