Self help group (SHG) is a way of achieving social and financial inclusion. Since SHG with financial assistance covers a large number of women, such programs have an impact towards women’s empowerment. Self Help Groups (SHG) are constituted to help poor women to get economic and other services. SHGs help reduce poverty, empower women and create awareness which finally results in development of the women in a broader space. Growth with quality is a paramount agenda of today among different stakeholders, as there is an over reaching concern about sustainability of the SHG movement in India. Self-help groups have been instrumental in empowerment by enabling women to work together under social agency. An effort is made to study the performance of the SHGs and the women empowerment under Kiriya Pushpa Women Federation, Mysore. Confidence building, Recognition and Social empowerment of women are the important outcomes of SHGs.

KEY WORDS: Self help group, women, financial inclusion, empowerment, development