Planning Participatory Communication Interventions for Sustaining Women’s Collectives (Shgs): Field Evidence from India

The purpose of the study is to propose an outline to develop a participatory communication intervention for women SHGs. A mixed method approach has been adopted through intensive interviews of communication facilitators involved in SHGs from Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh, India) to conclude that NGOs followed the guidelines given by World Bank to develop efficient communication interventions. The quantitative tool involving SHG members proves that interventions have also led to social, political, economic, psychological, cultural and legal empowerment of women. It has also changed lives of women by way of resource building, coalition building and partnership. The research highlights there have been changes in day to day activities of women as well as their behaviour after they became a part of SHGs. Development agencies, NGOs and governments can take cues from the research to develop sustainable mechanisms to empower women.